ELECTION 2025: County releases list of Primary candidates

SHENANDOAH – Shenandoah will have a new mayor next year and the race for borough council is once again crowded.

This week, the Schuylkill County Election Bureau released the list of candidates for the May 20 Primary Election.

For Shenandoah Mayor, only one candidate has filed to run — Bob Cook, a Republican.

Incumbent Mayor Andrew Szczyglak has been in office since 2012, when he was appointed to replace now-councilman Michael Whitecavage. Szczyglak was a councilman at the time.

He has been in Shenandoah politics since 2005, he told the Sentinel Friday, and was planning to step away at the end of his term.

Though, he said friends convinced him to stick around and return to council.

He joins a crowded field.

Four seats are up for election and Szczyglak is one of five Republicans seeking the party’s nomination, including incumbents Katie Catizone and Diane Korenda, and newcomers Jacob Alinsky and Adolph Ace Wychulis.

Three Democrats are also running — incumbents James Burke and Michael Whitecavage and newcomer Michelle Gulden.

Szczyglak told the Sentinel he believes each candidate would do only what’s best for the borough.

Shenandoah’s races are not the only contested races locally in the May primary or looking ahead at November.

Ashland

In Ashland, the race for the Republican nomination for Mayor will be contested.

Lorenda Kutz and Chrystal Nelson are both seeking the nomination.

They will face Antimo Brooklyn Esposito in November, the only candidate filed for the Democratic nomination.

For council, four seats are up for election and it will be a contested race in November.

Four Republicans are seeking the party’s nomination — Francis Menne, Charles Schmoltze, Adam Bernodin Jr., and Julie Pohl. Menne and Bernodin are incumbents.

On the Democratic side, incumbent John F. Reilly and newcomers Edward P. Moran Jr. and Donna Salem are running.

Butler Township

In Butler Township, voters will see contested races on the primary ballot for both a six year and two year township supervisors seat.

Incumbent Kate Staudenmeier is facing a challenge from Raymond A. Smith for the Republican nomination.

Smith is also facing Patrick E. Coyle for the Republican nomination for the two year seat.

East Union Township

Two candidates are seeking the Republican nomination for the six year seat on township supervisors, currently held by Chairman Kyle Mummey.

Mummey is seeking re-election against Stefan Gerneth, a political newcomer.

Frackville

Frackville Mayor Kim Phillips is facing a primary challenger in her bid for re-election. John M. Morgan, Jr. is also seeing the Republican nomination.

A crowded field is seeking the Republican nominations for borough council as well.

Incumbents Stephen Tertel, Steve Kuzio, and Ed Beneshunas are seeking re-election against newcomers Tylor Blackwell, John Matern, and Nicole L. Russell.

Girardville

While there are no contested races in Girardville on the primary ballot, there is a notable absence.

No candidates filed to run for mayor.

The seat is currently held by Michael Zangari

North Union Township

Voters will not have a contested ballot here in the primary, but they will in the general election in November.

Bryan Flaim is seeking re-election to the board of supervisors and is seeking the Republican nomination.

He will be challenged in November by Holly Teter, who has filed to seek the Democratic nomination.

North Schuylkill School District

Six candidates are seeking five seats on the North Schuylkill School Board, and all six have cross-filed.

Seeking seats on the board are:

• Alexandra Trexler;
• Randy Lattis;
• Jennifer Kowalonek;
• Jeremy M. Johnson;
• Bryan Slotcavage;
• Michael A. Kehler.

Countywide

Two county row offices are up for election this year and both races may be decided in the Primary.

No Democrats are filed for the party’s nominations as two Republicans each are seeking their party’s nominations for Sheriff and District Attorney.

For District Attorney, Michael O’Pake — a former Democrat — is seeking re-election against John Henry Urbanski, both seeking the Republican nomination.

For Sheriff, Shawn Butler and Frank DiMarco are seeking the Republican nomination for the seat.

The full list of candidates can be found at the county’s website.

About Author