Tenny ousts Saieva in Canonsburg area magistrate’s race
Charles “Chuckie” Tenny won both the Republican and Democratic nominations in the Canonsburg area magistrate’s race during Tuesday’s primary, ousting District Judge James Saieva Jr. after just one term.
Tenny defeated Saieva with 1,002 votes compared to the incumbent’s 818 in the Republican primary, and by a margin of 1,074 to 967 to win the Democratic nomination.
Tenny was nearly removed from the ballot earlier this spring after supporters of Saieva challenged his residency, claiming he lives in Fayette County instead of Canonsburg, where he’s registered to vote. But during a March 21 hearing on the matter, Tenny provided enough evidence showing he resides in the borough that Senior Judge Katherine Emery allowed him to remain on the ballot, a decision that was affirmed by the state Commonwealth Court three weeks later.
By winning both nominations, Tenny will likely cruise to victory during the Nov. 4 general election and take his seat on the bench in January. Saieva has served a single six-year term after being elected in 2019.
The district includes Canonsburg, Houston and North Strabane Township. Tenny could not be reached for comment Wednesday to discuss his victory.
Turnout was low in Washington County with less than 20% of the electorate participating in the primary, likely due to so few contested races.
The only competitive countywide contest was the Republican race for controller. Pat Phillips won the GOP nomination, receiving 3,973 votes to defeat acting controller Heather Sheatler, who garnered 3,522 votes. The two other candidates, Brenda Davis and Tony Jacob DeLost, finished third and fourth in the race with 2,920 and 2,891 votes respectively. There were also 1,825 write-in votes from Democrats, meaning Phillips could face a challenger in the general election, although it won’t be known who that candidate is until next week when the county elections office tabulates those totals.
What is known at the moment, however, is that a judge from Washington County will be on the statewide ballot in the general election. Judge Brandon Neuman, who ran unopposed in the Democratic primary for state Superior Court but received the most votes from any statewide candidate with 823,710, will now face Clarion County attorney Maria Battista in November.
“I want to thank today’s primary voters for entrusting me as your Superior Court nominee,” Neuman said in a written statement late Tuesday. “Judges are the cornerstone of your rights and freedoms, and my versatile legislative and judicial experience uniquely qualifies me to best serve the interests of all Pennsylvanians on the Superior Court.”
Neuman, 43, of North Strabane, will now compete against Battista in the general election after she defeated Chester County President Judge Ann Marie Wheatcraft in the Republican primary.
“With the support of the people in this election, we will ensure that all Pennsylvanians’ voices will be heard by a fair and impartial judge,” Neuman said. “I look forward to continuing momentum across the Commonwealth and earning your vote in November.”
In the other state appellate court race, Matt Wolford of Erie County defeated Josh Prince of Berks County in the Republican primary for Commonwealth Court. Wolford will now face Stella Tsai of Philadelphia, who ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.
INFO BOX
Washington County
Controller
Republican
*Pat Phillips – 3,973
Heather Sheatler – 3,522
Brenda Davis – 2,920
Tony Jacob DeLost – 2,891
Democratic
Write-in Votes – 1,825
Recorder of Deeds
Republican
*Carrie Perell – 11,453
Democratic
Write-in Votes – 380
Sheriff
Republican
*Tony Andronas – 12,517
Democratic
Write-in Votes – 641
Greene County
Court of Common Pleas
Republican
*Chris Simms – 2,100
Patrick Fitch – 1,437
Democratic
*Chris Simms – 2,198
Coroner
Republican
*Gene Rush – 3,300
Sheriff
Republican
*Marcus Simms – 3,283
*Denotes the winner