County commissioners across the region are quickly becoming an
endangered species.

According to petitions filed with the board of elections in
Cameron, Elk and Potter counties, incumbent commissioners face a
battle to retain their seats in the upcoming May 15 primary
election.

The numbers bear it out: In Cameron County, 10 people will vie
for three open seats on the commissioner board. Elk County, eight
people. And in Potter County, there are six candidates running.

The seats all hold four-year terms.

Cameron County Commissioners

Looking at the race in Cameron County, there are seven
Republicans running for the office. The candidates include Glen
Fiebig, JoAnn Smith, Tonya Aversa, Don “Stretch” Reed, Patrick
Vogt, Barry D. Brown and Ron Hammersley. Meanwhile, the Democrats
are Phillip P. Jones, Nick Botera Jr. and Thomas Callahan.

Elk County Commissioners

Meanwhile, in neighboring Elk County, six Democrats will look to
obtain seats on the panel. Those candidates include Jennifer M.
DeFrain Anderson, Connie J. Frey, Lyle Garner, Matthew G.
Quesenberry Sr., June Heigel Sorg and Ronald T. Beimel.

The Republicans are Dan Freeburg and Bob Schmidt.

Both Freeburg and Sorg are the incumbents. Earlier this year,
Commissioner Christine Gavazzi announced that she wouldn’t be
seeking re-election after 14 years of service.

Potter County Commissioners

Lastly, the trio of incumbent Potter County Commissioners, John
Torok, Ken Wingo and Catherine Bowers, will face opposition from
Republicans Paul Heimel and Doug Morley and Democrat Susan
Kefover.

Both Wingo and Bowers are Democrats and Torok is a
Republican.

Cameron County races

In addition to the commissioner races, Cameron County residents
will also vote for treasurer, coroner, auditor and district
attorney.

For treasurer, Staci Stuart-Brown will seek the Republican nod;
Democrat Ted Walters for coroner; Annette M. Campbell and Kimberlea
B. Whiting, Republicans, and Barbara D. Smith, a Democrat, for
auditor; E.W. Tompkins III for district attorney; and Nick Botera
Jr., Annetta M. Horning, Missy Whitcomb and Amber M. Beldin for
school board.

There will be four seats open for school board; Botera has
cross-filed and will appear on both the Republican and Democratic
tickets, while Beldin will be on the Republican ballot and Horning
and Whitcomb only on the Democratic ledger.

Elk County races

Neighboring Elk County will also see races for auditor,
prothonotary, sheriff and St. Marys City Council, along with a
handful of township supervisor seats.

In the race for auditor, four people will vie for two seats.
Looking to gain the Democratic nod are Gelindo “Boots” Bonfardine,
Karen R. Gies and Elizabeth A. Mader, along with Republican Pat
Sherry.

Two Democrats will face off for the prothonotary seat: David A.
Frey and Rose M. Koch. Also, three people will vie for sheriff,
including Jeffrey C. Krieg and Ralph Dussia, both Democrats, and
Republican Joseph Bruno Manno Sr.

In St. Marys, four people will look to capture three seats on
council, including Democrats Denny Nero, Bob Roberts and Steven A.
Skok, along with Republicans Rick Gabler Jr.

Elsewhere, the race for one seat as Highland Township supervisor
will be contested by Democrat Jack Vanderneck and Republican Fred
Gezik. The race for one supervisor seat in Jay Township has drawn
five people, including Democrats John T. Bricen, Murray K. Lilley
and Chester Lundy, along with Republicans Gaylon F. McClintock and
Tim Altfather.

Residents in Millstone Township will also elect one supervisor
between Democrat Tom Hickenboth and Republican Eric Patton. In
Ridgway Township, Republicans Frederick G. Lenze Sr. and Milly
Bowers will battle for one supervisor seat.

There will be no races for Johnsonburg and Ridgway borough
councils. In Johnsonburg, Democrats Carmen Cannella and Elmer
Ferragine and Republican J.R. DePanfilis are running, while
Democrats Frank Quattrone and James Fannin and Republican Scott
Pontious will seek the nod in Ridgway.

Meanwhile, running unopposed for register/recorder will be
Democrat Pete Weidenboerner; Democrat Peggy Brown Schneider for
treasurer; Republican Lou Radkowski for coroner; Democrat Gary
Winslow for Benezette Township supervisor; Democrat Mike Keller for
Fox Township supervisor; Democrat Richard Gavazzi for Jay Township
auditor; Democrat Debra Shaffer for Jones Township supervisor;
Republican Ronald Stanley for Jones Township auditor; and
Republican Donna Corey of Ridgway Township auditor.

Potter County races

Running for auditor in Potter County are Republicans Pauline
Kleintop and Patricia Nichols, along with Democrats Margo Germino
and Bernard “Mike” Fowler. There are three auditor seats.

In Homer Township, the two-year tax collector seat has drawn the
interest of four people. Seeking the Republican nod are Harry
Deutschlander, Robert Monroe and Cynthia Woodard, along with
Democrat Mary Lilja. Also in the township, Carl Klingaman will look
for the six-year supervisor seat, while Harry Deutschlander and
Mark Freeman will seek to capture the four-year term. Only two
seats are available on the board.

Lastly, in Harrison Township, three supervisors will run for the
six-year term, including Marlin Cady, Stuart Potter and Theodore
White, all Republicans. Meanwhile, two people will run for the
four-year term, including Republican Maurice Swede and Democrat
Larry Sherman.