The losing candidate for prothonotary in the primary election has switched from Republican to Democrat so she can run again for the position in November.

The county Democratic Committee announced on Wednesday morning that it has nominated Paula Painter as its candidate for prothonotary in the Nov. 5 general election.

Democrat Daniel Smith, who ran for prothonotary unopposed for the party's nomination in May, dropped out of the race this week to run against U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-16th, in November.

Painter ran against Kelly Ferrari in the primary election in May. Ferrari beat Painter by more than 2,500 votes on the Republican ticket.

Painter said Wednesday that she was a Democrat until 2003, when she began working at the prothonotary's office, where she is now first deputy.

She switched to the Republican party at that time to assist prothonotary Glenna Walters in her run for re-election in 2004.

She said win or lose in November, she will remain a Democrat.

“When I campaigned in the spring, that's what I said to (Democrats), that I'm on the Republican ticket, but I'm here for everyone, so please write me in,” Painter said.

Painter said her passion for the job she has held for 18 years is the reason she is running on the opposite ticket in November, and she doesn't worry about dedication to any political party.

“I'm dedicated to people,” Painter said. “(The prothonotary's office) is not a political office. We don't ask people what party they are in when they come in. We help everyone.”

Catherine LaLonde, the county Democratic Committee chairwoman, said she and the party's subcommittee for studying candidates had lengthy discussions with Painter and among themselves before deciding to nominate her as the Democratic candidate for prothonotary in the fall.

She said Walters came to Tuesday night's meeting to describe the nature and importance of the job and that it must be done properly.

LaLonde said the party wanted to make sure Painter didn't switch parties for convenience and took into account that she originally was a Democrat and espouses Democratic ideals.

The party also considers her the more qualified candidate for prothonotary given her nearly two decades of experience in the office.

“She really is the better candidate,” LaLonde said. “Kelly Ferrari, it seemed like her qualifications were somewhat embellished.”

She said Ferrari's job as a self-employed court reporter causes her to interact with the prothonotary's office occasionally, but she hasn't worked in the office.

The prothonotary's office is the record keeper for a county's civil court. Only commonwealths have prothonotaries.

“Paula would be able to take over for Glenna quite effectively,” LaLonde said.

She said she has spent considerable time interacting with Painter.

“She seems like a very genuine person and struck me as having a lot of integrity,” LaLonde said. “She likes doing that job, and she wants to continue doing a good job for the people of the county.”

Ferrari said she did not have a comment on Painter's decision to switch political parties.

“I'm looking forward to moving on to the general election on Nov. 5, and I'm still humbled and grateful for everyone's support and confidence in me to lead the prothonotary's office,” Ferrari said.

Walters will retire at the end of the year after 35 years as prothonotary.