Butler County could play big role in upcoming elections
Although it sometimes seems like the news is all politics all the time, residents of Butler County should not ignore the upcoming May 19 primary election.
The upcoming vote will set the ballots for the November midterm elections which could have effects reaching far beyond the Commonwealth’s borders.
The county’s importance in each of the major political parties’ election calculations is being demonstrated by the number of local and state candidates and candidate hopefuls who have already visited the county.
Ethan Nicholas and Scott Timko are both seeking to replace Stephenie Scialabba as the state House 12th District representative. They have been planting yard signs and meeting the voters already in advance of the primary election.
Democratic congressional candidate Justin Wagner staged a meet-and-greet at the Mars Area Public Library to outline his positions in his expected run against long-term Republican incumbent Mike Kelly of the 16th Congressional District in November.
Last week state Treasurer Stacy Garrity made a campaign stop at Butler County’s Republican headquarters. Garrity must have calculated the county is essential as she plans to run for governor against incumbent Democrat Josh Shapiro.
The governor’s race may also have national implications. Shapiro’s rumored presidential aspirations in the 2028 presidential election could only be helped by his winning a second term as Pennsylvania’s governor.
And Pennsylvania is expected to be a key swing state, one that can be potentially by won by either a Democratic or Republican presidential candidate depending on the election.
The past three presidential elections in Pennsylvania have each been decided by less than 2% of the votes cast.
And while Butler County is pretty deep red, with 65% of the voters picking Donald Trump in the last three presidential elections, the county’s population continues to grow and numbers could change.
That’s why a vote in the primary will help to give candidates an inkling of the mood and preferences of a changing electorate.
— EF
