ELECTION 2025: 22 Contested Municipal Primary Races in Schuylkill County

For many voters across Schuylkill County, there will be plenty to decide in the May 20 Primary Election.

There are 22 contested municipal Primary races this year. All but one of those contested races are on Republican ballots.

Here is a look at all the contested Municipal Primary races in 2025. Winners of these races will move on to the General Election in November.

In many instances, unless there are third-party entrants or ambitious write-in campaigns waged, winners of the Republican Primary races will likely secure victories in November:

Ashland

Chrystal E. Nelson and Lorenda Kutz will face off in the Republican Primary for Mayor.

Auburn

Richard A. Krebs Jr. and Frank Cataldi are vying for the GOP nod for the borough’s Mayor seat.

Butler Township

Raymond A. Smith and Kate Staudenmeier are seeking the GOP slot for the 6-year seat as township supervisor.

Smith and Patrick E. Coyle are each seeking the Republican nod for the 2-year township supervisor’s seat.

Coaldale

There are six Republicans vying for three 4-year seats on Borough Council: Leslie A. Napolitano, Rose Hoben, Robyn Pezza, Thomas Polischak, Tristan Blasko, and Matthew Jungbaer.

Michael J. Radocha and Steven Polischak are running for the GOP nod for the single 2-year council seat.

East Union Township

Stefan Gerneth and Kyle Mummey are running for the Republican spot on the November ballot for a 6-year term as township supervisor.

Frackville

For Mayor, Republicans Kim Phillips and John M. Morgan Jr. are squaring off in the Primary.

There are six Republican candidates for four seats on Borough Council: Edward Beneshunas, John Matern, Steve Kuzio, Stephen Tertel, Nicole L. Russell, and Tylor Blackwell.

North Manheim Township

Two Republicans are running for the party nod for a single, 6-year term as Township Supervisor: Ralph Thomas Jr. and William G. Searle III.

Norwegian Township

Chris Melusky and Michael C. Miller are seeking the Republican nod for a single 6-year term as Township Supervisor.

Orwigsburg

There are four Borough Council seats up for grabs and five GOP candidates looking to advance to the General Election: Richard Bubeck, Angie Hoptak-Solga, Edward Keyworth III, Gregory Smith Fetherolf, and Edward J. Winkelbauer.

Porter Township

There’s a contested Primary for Tax Collector between Republicans Krista L. Keisling and Brandy Oliver.

Ringtown

A race for Inspector of Elections pits Mary Balkiewicz vs. Margaret Ann Peggy Milewski on the GOP ballot.

Rush Township

There are three Republicans vying for just one nomination for a 6-year term as Township Supervisor: James M. Stewart, Shawn Gilbert, and Jeaninne Motrori.

Ryan Township

The Inspector of Elections GOP Primary has Michelle A. Mistishen against Anne Marie Mistishen.

Schuylkill Township

Vying for a single GOP nomination for Township Supervisor are Charles Hosler and Charles Fayash.

Shenandoah

There are five Republicans up for four bids on Borough Council: Adolph Ace Wychulis, Jacob Alinsky, Diane Korenda, Andrew Szczyglak, and Katie Catizone.

South Manheim Township

Two Republicans are looking to win the lone nomination for Township Supervisor: Jack Brennan and Floyd Seltzer.

Saint Clair

This borough has the most hotly contested primaries with both parties having something to decide on May 20. There are three nods up for grabs for each party …

Democrats: Michael Petrozino, Anthony J. Klazas, William M. Dempsey, and Judith Stednitz-Julian.

Republicans: Justin Cappel, Blake Herndon, Thomas Kelly, Shirley Tina Campion, John Zachar, and Vaughn Vesay.

Tamaqua

For Mayor, Republicans Jael E. Houser and David S. Clemson want the party’s nod.

And in the Borough Council race, Republicans Kathy Kunkel, Kyle V. Oliphan, George Haldeman, and Mary Linkevich are vying for three seats.

Walker Township

Carol Lynn Leiby and Donna J. Gerber are seeking the GOP nod in the Inspector of Elections race.

Washington Township

There are three Republicans seeking a single nomination in the Primary for Township Supervisor: Nancy Welty, Walter R. Stump, and Lynn A. Brown.

West Penn Township

Robert D. Miller and Barbara A. Oswald are running for the GOP nod for Inspection of Elections in the First Precinct.

2025 SCHUYLKILL COUNTY PRIMARY:

• GOP Voters Have Plenty on the Line in May Primary

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