State’s primaries are here

Voters set to cast ballots in primary elections on Tuesday

It’s primary season in Pennsylvania once again.

On Tuesday, voters in the Keystone State will cast ballots in the Republican and Democratic primary elections.

Pennsylvanians will be choosing the major party nominees for the statewide governor and U.S. Senate races, as well as the 18 congressional districts in the commonwealth. All 203 seats in the state House of Representatives and half of the 50 seats in the state Senate are also on the ballot this year.

Voters must be registered with one of the major parties to participate in their primary elections, but some municipalities in Chester County have special elections or ballot questions on primary day that are open to all registered voters, regardless of party affiliation.

Governor

Gov. Tom Wolf is running unopposed in the Democratic Primary as he seeks re-election to a second term this fall.

Three candidates are running for governor in the Republican Primary: state Sen. Scott Wagner of York; businessman and Army veteran Paul Mango; and attorney Laura Ellsworth, who are both from Allegheny County.

Lieutenant governor

While Wolf is running unop-

posed for re-election, the same cannot be said for Lt. Gov. Mike Stack, who landed in hot water after reports emerged that he had mistreated state workers.

Stack is still seeking reelection, but he’s being challenged by four candidates in the Democratic Primary: Chester County Commissioner Kathi Cozzone; Braddock Mayor John Fetterman; Ray Sosa, a banker from Montgomery County; and Nina Ahmad, a former deputy mayor under Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney.

Four candidates are running in the Republican Primary for lieutenant governor: Kathy Coder, a businesswoman from Allegheny County; Washington County Commissioner Diana Irey Vaughan; Jeff Bartos, a real estate developer; and Peg Luksik, a pro-life activist from Cambria County.

U.S. Senate

Sen. Bob Casey is running unopposed in the Democratic Primary as he seeks re-election for a third term this fall.

Two Republicans are running for the chance to challenge Casey: U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta of Luzerne County and state Rep. Jim Christiana of Beaver County.

6th Congressional District

Under Pennsylvania’s new congressional map – which was drawn by the state Supreme Court after the court ruled the old map was unconstitutionally gerrymandered – the 6th District includes all of Chester County and part of Berks County.

U.S. Rep. Ryan Costello, who has represented the old 6th District since 2015, is not seeking re-election.

Chrissy Houlahan, a businesswoman and Air Force veteran from Devon, is running unopposed in the Democratic Primary.

Greg McCauley, an attorney from Chadds Ford, is running unopposed in the Republican Primary.

State Senate

All even-numbered senatorial districts are on the ballot this year. Chester County is represented by four senatorial districts, two of which are on the ballot this year.

26th Senatorial District

In the 26th District, Democrats Tim Kearney and Tanner Rouse are running for the chance to take on Republican Sen. Tom McGarrigle, who is not facing a primary challenger.

44th Senatorial District

In the 44th District, Katie Muth is running unopposed in the Democratic Primary as she seeks to challenge Sen. John Rafferty, who is running unopposed in the Republican Primary.

State House of Representatives

All legislative districts are on the ballot this year. Chester County is represented by nine legislative districts.

13th Legislative District

In the 13th District, Sue Walker is running unopposed in the Democratic Primary; Rep. John Lawrence is running unopposed in the Republican Primary.

26th Legislative District

In the 26th District, Pam Hacker is running unopposed in the Democratic Primary; Rep. Tim Hennessey is running unopposed in the Republican Primary.

74th Legislative District

In the 74th District, Dan Williams, Frank Pryor and Josh Maxwell are running in the Democratic Primary. Amber Little-Turner is running unopposed in the Republican Primary. Republican Rep. Harry Lewis Jr., who currently represents the 74th District, is not seeking re-election.

155th Legislative District

In the 155th District, Danielle Friel Otten and Ronald Graham are running in the Democratic Primary; Rep. Becky Corbin is running unopposed in the Republican Primary.

156th Legislative District

In the 156th District, Nicholas Deminski is running unopposed in the Republican Primary; Rep. Carolyn Comitta is running unopposed in the Democratic Primary.

157th Legislative District

In the 157th District, Melissa Shusterman is running unopposed in the Democratic Primary; Rep. Warren Kampf is running unopposed in the Republican Primary.

158th Legislative District

In the 158th District, Christina Sappey is running unopposed in the Democratic Primary. Don Westbrook is challenging Rep. Eric Roe in the Republican Primary.

160th Legislative District

In the 160th District, Anton Andrew and Cathy Spahr are running in the Democratic Primary; Rep. Stephen Barrar is running unopposed in the Republican Primary.

167th Legislative District

In the 167th District, Kristine Howard and Jeff McFall are running in the Democratic Primary; Rep. Duane Milne is running unopposed in the Republican Primary.

Special elections

In a special election for an at-large seat on Coatesville City Council, Democrat Khadijah Al-Amin and Libertarian Nicholas Panagakos are challenging Republican Councilman John Guerrera.

In a special election for the 2nd Ward seat on Coatesville City Council, Libertarian Kevin Anderson is challenging Democratic Councilwoman Delores Williams, who is running a write-in campaign to retain her seat; Democrat Donald Folks is also running a write-in campaign for the seat.

Ballot questions

Voters in East Goshen, Thornbury and Westtown can vote “yes” or “no” on granting liquor licenses in their township.

Voters in West Grove can vote “yes” or “no” on granting malt and brewed beverage retail dispenser licenses in the borough.

State party committees

Republican and Democratic voters will also be choosing their state committeepeople during the primary elections.

Pennsylvania State Democratic Committee

Democratic voters can vote for up to four male candidates and up to four female candidates for the state Democratic Committee. The top four female vote-getters and the top four male vote-getters will be elected to the committee.

The candidates for the state Democratic Committee are: Female: Elva Bankins Baxter; Barbara Cooper (incumbent); Lani Frank (incumbent); Mary LaSota; Lisa Longo; Stephannie McLimans (incumbent); Diane O’Dwyer; Debra Sulenski; Michele Vaughn; Male: John Hellman; Kevin Houghton; Chris Kowerdovich; Dennis McAndrews; David McLimans (incumbent); Chris Pielli (incumbent); Bill Scott (incumbent); Alex Teplyakov; Hans van Mol (incumbent).

Pennsylvania State Republican Committee

Committeepeople are elected by district to the state Republican Committee. Republicans can vote for one female candidate and one male candidate in their district.

The candidates for the state Republican Committee are:

Norman MacQueen for State Committee District 1;

Heather Greenberg for State Committee District 1;

Trish Milanese for State Committee District 2; Donna Ellingsen for State Committee District 2;

Vincent Talucci for State Committee District 2;

Timothy Welsh for State Committee District 2;

Chris Burkett for State Committee District 3;

Carolyn Welsh for State Committee District 3;

Paula Gowen for State Committee District 4;

Mike Stoll for State Committee District 4;

Mary Lou Doyle for State Committee District 5;

Robert Gebhardt for State Committee District 5;

Nancy Toner for State Committee District 6;

Tom Burke for State Committee District 6;

Brian Peppel for State Committee District 7;

Deborah Abel for State Committee District 7.

Pennsylvania’s primary elections will be held Tuesday. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.

Voters are not required to present identification at a polling place unless they are voting in their precinct for the first time.

Information about elections can be found on Chester County Voter Services’ website at www. chesco.org/156/Voter-Services.