Sheatler defeats Phillips to retain Washington County controller position
Washington County acting Controller Heather Sheatler made a political comeback Tuesday to defeat Republican challenger Pat Phillips and win a full term in her county row office.
“I’m pleased with the results and it proves that the people of Washington County heard my message,” Sheatler said in a phone interview Wednesday. “I’m looking forward to the next four years.”
Phillips defeated Sheatler in the Republican primary in May, but Democrats nominated her with enough write-in votes to get her on the November ballot. Running as a Democrat this time, Sheatler rebounded and peeled off enough Republican support to defeat Phillips by a 53% to 47% vote in Tuesday’s general election.
“Obviously, I work for the people – take the parties out of it – I’m for every taxpayer. I think that was shining through (Tuesday) night,” Sheatler said. “I’m excited for the next four years. I’m going to continue to be the independent watchdog for the taxpayers and looking forward to great things to come.”
Sheatler was tapped to serve in an interim role last year after former controller April Sloane pleaded guilty in September 2024 to felony animal abuse in the starvation of her dog. Sheatler, who has sparred with Washington County Commission Chairman Nick Sherman on various issues over the past year, said she was proud of her support from her staff and campaign while “maintaining integrity” throughout the election process. She will be sworn-in this January to a full four-year term in the row office position dedicated to keep an accounting of county finances and audit other row offices.
Washington County voters came out en force Tuesday for an election that netted a surprisingly robust turnout of 43% in what is typically low participation for an off-year cycle.
In other Washington County races, Democratic Canonsburg Mayor David Rhome held off Republican Johnny Gaydos, winning 1,824 votes compared to the challenger’s 727.
The Charleroi mayor’s race remained close, although it appeared that Democrat Nancy Ellis pulled off a seven-vote victory with 296 tallies to Ernest Merritt’s 289 votes, although some provisional and mail-in ballots still needed to be counted, making it too close to call. Ellis also received enough votes to win a seat on the borough council, meaning she’ll have to decide which position to take, with an appointment then needed to fill the vacancy.
In Cecil Township, Democratic Supervisor Cindy Fisher easily beat Republican John Jordan, receiving 3,015 votes to the challenger’s 2,172. Chartiers Township Democratic Supervisor Bronwyn Maggi-Kolovich also won reelection, receiving 1,606 votes to Republican J.C. Ciaffoni’s tally of 1,262.
A full list of all the municipal and school board election results in Washington County can be found online at www.washingtoncopa.gov/elections.
In Greene County, Chris Simms won the uncontested election to become the next judge on the Court of Common Pleas to replace President Judge Lou Dayich, who is retiring in January. A listing of all election results in Greene County can be found online at www.greenecountypa.gov/elections.