One election petition challenge being withdrawn
The attorney representing both a Republican and Democrat in Commonwealth Court cases seeking to have Peter V. Marcoline III removed from the May 21 primary ballot in the race for Washington County judge said he is in the process of withdrawing the objections.
James R. Jeffries said early Tuesday afternoon, “Withdrawal will be today or tomorrow, and that will be that. I will fax it to the Commonwealth Court filing office.”
Marcoline, who lives in South Strabane Township, has a Washington mailing address, which appears on both his voter registration card and nominating petitions. His challengers cited that as a defect in the nominating petitions.
Jeffries, who could not be reached Monday, said he discussed case law regarding the address Friday with Marcoline’s campaign manager, Christopher Blackwell.
“It’s been liberally construed,” Jeffries said. “I don’t feel it’s right for my clients to pursue Mr. Marcoline. It’s resolved, it’s fine.”
Robert K. McGrady of Centerville, a Democrat, and Washington County Republican Party Chairman William Merrell, petitioners in the Marcoline case, plan to proceed with their challenges against the nominating petitions of Thomas Fallert of Peters Township.
For more, see Wednesday’s Observer-Reporter.