Dan Weand wins Democratic council race

Challenger Jeff Smith vows to wage a write-in campaign

Incumbent Borough Council President Dan Weand easily beat back a Democratic primary challenge by Jeff Smith, winning the nomination 126 votes to 57, according to final but unofficial results.

Smith said he intends to run a write-in campaign in November, meaning Weand will face him again, as well as Republican candidate Jennifer Green, who was unopposed for the GOP nomination.

Weand, who was visibly tired as he entered Democratic headquarters in Trinity Reformed Church on North Hanover Street, said he had knocked on over 600 doors in the effort to win reelection.

He said the campaign was difficult and that a lot of mud was thrown.

“It was hell. I was trashed. My family was trashed. My friends were trashed,” Weand told a supporter.

“But the people, of Fifth Ward at least, believe we’re on the right track to turn this town around, and we are,” he said.

Evidently, the mud was thrown by both sides.

An anonymous mailer received at The Mercury questioned Smith’s ethics and behavior while he was employed by the borough as the director of the codes department.

“I want to say I was very impressed by the turnout today and also thank everyone who has helped, voted for and supported me,” Smith said in a statement provided to The Mercury.

“The results show that I already have support from 5th Ward residents and with more time to prepare I believe the odds are on my side to run a successful write-in campaign in November,” Smith wrote.

Smith, 47, is a former director of the borough’s codes office and is self-employed in a number of businesses, including rehabilitating, selling and renting houses in the borough; a small construction company specializing in windows and doors; as well as being a financial advisor and holding an insurance license.

Weand, 66, is a resident of North Evans Street. A semiretired business consultant, he is seeking his third fouryear term on council.

The Fifth Ward race and the mayor’s race will be the only contested elections in November.

Incumbents Ryan Procsal in the First Ward, Sheryl Miller in the Third Ward and Joe Kirkland in the Seventh Ward are all unopposed in the General Election.

Incumbent Mayor Sharon Thomas, a Republican, is being challenged by Democrat Stephanie Henrick, a first-time candidate.

EVAN BRANDT — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Pottstown Borough Council President Dan Weand, right, is congratulated by James Prendergast after beating back a primary challenge by Jeff Smith for the Democratic nomination.