Many candidates have no opponent in upcoming primary
Depending on whether you’re a Democrat or a Republican, you may be looking at a ballot where you see only one name printed for some offices.
Incumbent Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf is running in his primary without opposition, as is incumbent U.S. Sen. Bob Casey Jr.
State Sen. Camera Bartolotta, R-Carroll, is making a bid for a second, four-year term, and she won’t have a challenger until the November election, when she faces Democrat James R. Craig of North Strabane Township, who is also unopposed Tuesday. The district includes all of Greene County and all of Washington County, with the exception of Peters Township.
There’s an open seat in the 15th Legislative District, but Democrat Alexander Andres withdrew as the sole candidate on his party’s ballot. Beaver County attorney Terri Mitko is seeking a Democratic write-in nomination. Republican Joshua Kail of Beaver Borough, also an attorney, is running unopposed.
The district includes Amwell, Blaine, Buffalo, Cross Creek, Donegal, East Finley, Hanover, Hopewell, Independence, Jefferson, Morris, South Franklin and West Finley townships and Claysville, Green Hills and West Middletown boroughs in Washington County.
In the 39th Legislative District, where state Rep. Rick Saccone has his sights set on Congress, Robert Rhoderick of Elizabeth Township is the sole Democrat and Michael Puskaric of the same community is the lone Republican. The district includes Somerset, Nottingham and Union townships in Washington County, plus Finleyville.
Republican incumbents Jason Ortitay of Cecil Township and Bud Cook of West Pike Run Township are running on their party’s tickets unopposed in the 46th and 49th Legislative Districts, respectively.
Washington County municipalities in the 46th district include Canton, Cecil, Mt. Pleasant, Robinson and Smith townships and Burgettstown, McDonald and Midway boroughs. In Allegheny County, it includes Collier and South Fayette Township and Bridgeville, Heidelberg and Oakdale boroughs.
Washington County municipalities in the 49th district are Carroll, Fallowfield, North Bethlehem, West Bethlehem and West Pike Run townships; Allenport, Beallsville, Bentleyville, California, Charleroi, Coal Center, Cokeburg, Deemston, Donora, Dunlevy, Elco, Ellsworth, Long Branch, Marianna, New Eagle, North Charleroi, Roscoe, Speers, Stockdale, Twilight and West Brownsville boroughs and Monongahela. In Fayette County it includes Belle Vernon, Fayette City, Newell, and Franklin, Jefferson and Washington townships.
Regardless of the outcome in the 48th Legislative District special election, Republican Tim O’Neal will have a shot at the two-year term come November, while Democrats Clark Mitchell Jr. of South Strabane Township and Joe Zupancic of North Strabane will be vying for a chance to take on O’Neal six months from now. Libertarian Demo Agoris of Houston is the third candidate in the special election.
In the 50th Legislative District, incumbent Democrat Pam Snyder of Morgan Township won’t have a challenger until the Nov. 6 election in Betsy Rohanna McClure of Franklin Township, the Republican.
The district includes all of Greene County and East Bethlehem Township and Centerville Borough in Washington County plus Brownsville borough and township, Luzerne and Redstone townships and Masontown in Fayette County.