Council, MDJ races set in Monessen
An incumbent and newcomer won the Democratic nominations for two seats on Monessen city council and unless a Republican conducts a successful write-in campaign, they both are virtually assured victory in the November election.
Incumbent Lois Thomas said she felt like a newcomer since she was appointed to serve on council last year and this was her first campaign. She received the most votes in the race (583 votes) to take the first nomination with ease. Newcomer Donald Gregor came in second with 552 votes.
鈥淭his was my first time running for an election and it was more than a notion, but God and the help of family and friends got me through and voted me in,鈥� said Thomas. 鈥淚 am honored and so grateful to all those who prayed for me and supported me in so many ways.鈥�
Gregor did not respond to a request for comment.
Thomas thanked Councilman David Feehan, whom Thomas said campaigned just as hard for her as he did himself. Feehan, Joseph Gigliotti, and Brett Lepresti were the remaining candidates. Feehan received 490 votes, while Gigliotti and Lepresti received 326 and 278 votes, respectively.
Also in the Monessen area, there was a primary race for a vacant magisterial district judge seat, which had three candidates vying for the spot. James B. Smith, the city蘑菇视频 police chief, will appear on the Republican ticket in November, while Wayne P. Vlasic, a state employee and the city蘑菇视频 current controller, got the Democratic nod.
Smith said he was excited to win and can鈥檛 wait for the race in November.
鈥淚鈥檓 humbled by the amount of people who voted for me and extremely appreciative,鈥� said Smith, who ended up with 535 Democratic votes and 149 Republican votes. Vlasic received 651 Democratic votes and 127 on the Republican side. Alan Jack Manderino, an assistant public defender in Westmoreland County, received 294 Democratic votes and 64 Republican votes.
鈥淚 have nothing but respect for my opponents,鈥� said Smith. 鈥淚t takes a lot of courage to run in an election for any position. There蘑菇视频 a lot of stress that is put on the candidate and their family.鈥�
Vlasic did not respond to a request for comment.