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Zimmerman wins nomination; second nomination may be decided today

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Blair Zimmerman

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Dave Coder

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Charles Morris

WAYNESBURG – Incumbent Greene County Commissioner Blair Zimmerman won one of the Democratic nominations in Tuesday’s primary election but the second nomination was too close to call and might not be decided until Wednesday.

With all 44 precincts reporting, former county Commissioner Dave Coder led incumbent Chuck Morris by only 24 votes. According to unofficial results, Coder had 2,477 votes and Morris 2,453.

The vote totals did not include the 225 absentee ballots that were not reported with Tuesday’s election results and that will be added to the tally this morning.

Zimmerman was a clear winner who received 2,906 votes, 429 votes more than Coder.

“I’m very thankful for the people who voted for me,” Zimmerman said. When he ran for commissioner four years ago, he said, he didn’t campaign very hard.

“This time I did. I’ve been everywhere and I think people got a chance to know me,” Zimmerman said. What he hoped people came to understand, he added, is “I’m a person who really cares.”

Zimmerman thanked the many friends and family members who supported him and worked hard to help him win the nomination.

He also said he is willing to work with either Coder or Morris. “I can work with anybody,” he said.

Morris, reached Tuesday night, said he would not comment until all the votes are counted. Coder could not be reached for comment.

Zimmerman was appointed commissioner by the Greene County Court in December 2012 to complete the remaining term of Pam Snyder, who resigned after being elected state representative.

When appointed to the position, he was employed at Alpha Natural Resources’ Cumberland Mine. He had been a coal miner for 40 years and mayor of Waynesburg for nine years.

Coder was county commissioner for 14 years, from 1996 to 2010. He resigned to accept the position of district director for then-U.S. Congressman Mark Critz. His last position was chief of staff for state Rep. Pam Snyder, D-Jefferson.

Morris, an attorney and former district attorney, was appointed commissioner by the Greene County Court in August 2010 to complete the term of Coder, who resigned to work for Critz. He was elected to a full term in 2011 and has served as chairman since late 2012.

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