Politics & Government

Primary Election Guide: Candidates for Plum, Oakmont & Verona Races

This year's primary election will be May 21. Take a look at who filed to be on the ballot.

There are several government seats—council, school board, mayoral—up for grabs this year in Plum, Oakmont and Verona. This year's primary election is on May 21. Republicans and Democrats are seeking their party's nomination to appear in the general election ballot in November. Here's a look at who filed to run in local races.

Plum Borough

Mayor—Incumbent Richard Hrivnak is running unopposed in the Democratic ticket. Republicans Dave Majernik, Joe Tommarello (currently on school board) and former councilwoman Christine Scardina-Gazzo are hoping for their party's nomination during the primary.

Tax Collector—Incumbent Harry Schlegel, a Republican, is running unopposed for the party's nomination. He will face Democrat Jeff Russo, a former school board member, in the fall.

Council, four four-year terms are open—Incumbents Keith Nowalk, Michael Dell, Leonard Szarmach and Mike Doyle all are running on the Republican ticket. Former councilmen David Vento and Paul Dern, planning commission member Ron Gancas and Michael Guida are running on the Democratic ticket.

Oakmont Borough

Mayor—Incumbent Robert J. Fescemyer, a Democrat, is running unopposed.

Council, four four-year terms are open—Incumbents Laurie Saxon and Timothy Milberger, as well as Melissa Botta Havran and Jerome Kenna Jr. are on the Republican ticket. On the Democratic ticket are incumbent Thomas Briney, Thomas Whalen, Sophia Facaros and Patricia Friday.

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Tax Collector—No one filed to run for this seat.

Verona Borough

Mayor—Incumbent David Ricupero, a Democrat, is running unopposed.

Council—Four four-year council seats are open. Those running on the Democratic ticket are incumbents Patrick McCarthy Jr., Rhoda Gemellas Worf, William Futules and Peggy Suchevich, as well as Robert Brayer, Janet LoAlbo, Sylvia Kresevich Provenza and Leo Bickert. Merle Balkovec is unopposed in the Republican ticket.

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Plum Borough School District

There are four four-year terms up for grabs on Plum School Board this year. All candidates have cross-filed on the Republican and Democratic tickets. They are: Incumbents Salvatore Collella, Kevin Dowdell and Andrew Drake; former district spokeswoman Dawn Lynn Check; Jim Rogers and Michelle Stepnick.

Riverview School District

There are four four-year terms up for grabs on the Riverview School Board. Incumbents Arlene Loeffler, Theodora Tompa, Lisa Ashbaugh and John Hackworth all have cross-filed. Melissa Botta Havran is seeking the Republican nomination. 

Allegheny County Council

The District 8 seat on Allegheny County Council is up for grabs. The district covers Plum Borough.

Republican Dave Majernik of Plum is running unopposed on the party's ticket in May. He will face off with incumbent Charles Martoni, a Democrat from Swissvale, in the November general election. Majernik also is running for a seat on Plum Council. 

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