Republicans took nearly every contested race in Butler County in Tuesday's election. Republican Mike Slupe was elected Butler County sheriff, pulling in nearly 70 percent of the votes. The former Butler Township police officer beat Democrat Roland Livermore by 20,167 votes to 9,043 votes. Slupe, 44, said he was elated by the win: "We credit the hard work and dedication of the volunteers throughout the campaign. Without them, this victory wouldn't be possible." In another race, two incumbent Butler Township commissioners lost their re-election bids. Republicans George Shockey and Ben Simon beat Democrats Sam Zurzolo and Donna Druga. According to unofficial results, Shockey and Simon received 2,036 and 2,033 votes, respectively. Zurzolo and Druga got 1,635 and 1,426 votes, respectively. Republicans won contested races for commissioners or supervisors in Buffalo, Cranberry, Connoquenessing, Franklin, Marion, Middlesex, Muddy Creek, Summit and Worth townships. The GOP also racked up borough council seats over Democrats in Callery, Chicora, Evans City and Zelienople, and captured mayoral contests in Evans City and Harmony. Democrats won contested the mayoral races in Saxonburg and Slippery Rock.
