Which countywide seats are up for reelection in 2023 in Happy Valley, and who is running?
Positions for countywide officers within the Centre County government are up for election and will appear on the municipal primary ballot this year.
Candidates had until earlier this week to circulate and file their nomination petitions, including those running for countywide positions, which include the three-person board of commissioners and row offices, like the controller, treasurer and coroner. These positions are up for election every four years. Salaries have been set for the next term.
Information and important dates to know, as well as other election and campaign-related information, can be found at www.centrecountyvotes.gov.
This list shows who will appear on the ballot for each countywide seat, according to information provided by the Centre County elections office. March 14 is the last day to file objections to the nomination petitions and March 22 is the last day for withdrawal by candidates who filed nomination petitions.
Information on school board candidates throughout Centre County can be found here. Information on open seats for borough councils and township boards across the county can be found here.
The primary election is May 16 and municipal election is Nov. 7.
Countywide seats
- Centre County Commissioners: The Centre County board of commissioners will have all three seats up for election. The current commissioners are Democrats Mark Higgins and Amber Concepcion, and Republican Steve Dershem. All three incumbents, as well as Republican Marie Librizzi, have announced their candidacy for the board. Two candidates from each party are chosen by voters during the primary election, and three of those four are elected in November.
- Controller: Incumbent Jason Moser is running for reelection on the Democratic ballot. There are no candidates on the Republican ballot.
- Sheriff: Incumbent Bryan Sampsel is running for reelection on the Republican ballot. There are no candidates on the Democratic ballot.
- Treasurer: Incumbent Colleen Kennedy is running on the Democratic ballot for another term in office. Justin Behrens is running on the Republican ballot.
- Prothonotary: Incumbent Jeremy Breon is seeking reelection on the Democratic ballot. There are no candidates on the Republican ballot.
- Recorder of Deeds: Incumbent Joe Davidson is running for a seventh term on the Republican ballot. Robert Zeigler is running on the Democratic ballot.
- Register of Wills: Incumbent Christine Millinder is seeking reelection on the Republican ballot. There are no candidates on the Democratic ballot.
- Coroner: Incumbent Scott Sayers is seeking reelection on the Democratic ballot. There are no candidates on the Republican ballot.
District Judges
- District 49-02-01: Incumbent Casey McClain is running for reelection to a six-year term on the Democratic and Republican ballots. The district covers Ferguson, Halfmoon and Patton townships and part of College Township.
- District 49-03-03: Incumbent Allen Sinclair is running for reelection to a six-year term on the Democratic and Republican ballots. The district covers Philipsburg, Port Matilda and Snow Shoe boroughs, and Snow Shoe, Burnside, Huston, Rush, Taylor and Worth townships.
Centre County Judge
Two people have announced their candidacies for Centre County judge. Julia Rater and Gopal Balachandran are running for the 10-year term. A spot on the bench opened up with the retirement of President Judge Pamela Ruest. Both Rater and Balachandran cross-filed to appear on the Democratic and Republican ballots.
Important dates to know
May 1: Last day to register to vote before the primary
May 9: Last day to apply for a mail-in or absentee ballot
May 16: Municipal primary (board of elections must receive mail-in and absentee ballots by 8 p.m. May 16)
Nov. 7: Municipal election
This story was originally published February 8, 2023 at 11:59 AM.
