Sources: Democrat Will Fill Republican Clews Vacated Council Seat in Pottsville

On Election Night, Pottsville voters put a Republican into the Mayor’s office at City Hall for the first time this Century.

But the balance of political power isn’t any closer to shifting in the city.

After Dave Clews is sworn in as the next Mayor of Pottsville, several sources tell us City Council is expected to appoint a Democrat to fill the Republican’s vacant seat. We’ve heard as many as 5 names mentioned as potential candidates.

When Clews defeated incumbent Pottsville Mayor James Muldowney on Nov. 2, it left his seat on Council up for grabs.

By rule, City Council has 30 days to select a replacement for Clews’ unexpired term as City Councilman. Clews was elected in 2019 to a 4-year term but chose to run for Mayor in 2021. However, there’s no rule saying the Council needs to appoint someone from the departing council person’s party.

If and when City Council acts as it’s expected to do, there will be 4 Democrat council members and a Republican Mayor.

Elections Have Consequences?

While some may say the fair play here is for Pottsville council members to appoint a Republican for the duration of Clews’ unexpired term. That lets the GOP hold the seat for 2 years and get ready to defend it in 2023.

Others realize the idea of fair play in politics is a myth.

There’s no guarantee the Schuylkill County Republican Party could find a Republican someone to fill Clews’ expired term.

In the 2021 Election, no Republicans ran for the 2 available City Council seats. If the party was able to field a pair of candidates who could have ridden Clews’ coattails to victory, this wouldn’t be an issue.

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