Four Republicans running for Washington County controller
Four Republicans have filed nominating papers to run for Washington County controller in the primary, including one candidate who’s already very familiar with county politics.
Brenda Davis, Tony Jacob DeLost, Pat Phillips and Heather Sheatler filed their nominating papers by Tuesday’s deadline and are expected to be on the ballot for the Republican primary on May 20.
The winner is likely to cruise to victory in the November election since no Democrats filed to run for the office, which was vacated by former controller April Sloane in September after she pleaded guilty to felony animal cruelty and agreed to resign from the position.
Davis served one term as clerk of courts before losing reelection to that county row office in 2023. DeLost, Phillips and Sheatler, who is the acting controller after taking over Sloane’s duties in October, are running for countywide office for the first time.
Meanwhile, Sheriff Tony Andronas and Recorder of Deeds Carrie Perrell are running for reelection unopposed in the Republican primary and are not expected to have a Democratic opponent in the fall.
The only competitive magisterial race in the primary is for the district that includes Canonsburg, Houston and North Strabane Township. Incumbent Magistrate James Saieva Jr. and challenger Charles Tenney have cross-filed as Republicans and Democrats, while another candidate, Ivan Casilli, has filed to run as a Republican.
In the statewide race for a seat on the Superior Court bench, Washington County Judge Brandon Neuman was the only Democrat to file for the race. That means he’ll face either Clarion County attorney Maria Battista or Chester County President Judge Ann Marie Wheatcraft – who are vying for the Republican nomination – in the general election in November.
The final day for candidates to submit nominating papers to run for office was Tuesday, and the last day for someone to challenge a nomination is March 18.
The full list of all candidates running for local office can be found on the Washington County election office’s website at /www.washingtoncopa.gov/elections.