Republican voters in 12th state House District decide who will run against lone Democrat
Republican voters in and around Cranberry Township carried the most weighty Election Day decision in the county on Tuesday, May 19, as they decide who will run against the lone Democratic candidate for the state’s 12th House District.
Republican candidates Ethan Nicholas and Scott Timko ran abbreviated campaigns for the 12th District House seat after former Rep. Stephenie Scialabba stepped down March 31. The winner of the primary election is expected to face the lone Democratic primary candidate, Brandon Dukes.
“I’m ready to take on whatever comes my way,” Dukes said Tuesday afternoon outside the Adams Township Municipal Building, which housed two voting precincts.
Sitting on the other side of the building entrance was Scott Timko’s mother, Claudia Timko, who has owned Industrial Brake Company in Mars since 1972. She said she’s been praying a lot for her son.
“I am feeling very positive today,” Claudia Timko said.
She remembered her son had a specific room when the family lived in New Jersey where he would sit and listen to Rush Limbaugh radio. She’s surprised he decided to run for state representative but knew he always had interest in politics and increasingly in local politics in the region since about 10 years ago.
Community ties weren’t the only requirement for voters, though.
“I want somebody who’s very conservative,” said Mark Gerson outside the Adams Township Municipal Building.
Gerson said he voted for Nicholas and didn’t like what he’d heard about Timko.
Tracy Ashbaugh and her daughter, Meredith, a first-time voter, said they were looking for candidates who would advocate for the middle-ground.
Tracy Ashbaugh said she sees the growth of the region being perceived differently depending on where it’s coming from. She said she didn’t want to see Route 228 become the next McKnight Road, but another Sheetz isn’t harming the community.
“I want to see what’s best for Pennsylvania,” said Meredith Ashbaugh.
Aside from the primary election, one of the candidates will still take the 12th District seat before the general election due to a special election scheduled for Aug. 19. The special election will determine who fills Scialabba’s seat until the end of the term in November.
The 12th District encompasses Adams, Cranberry and Jackson townships; and Callery, Evans City, Harmony, Mars, Seven Fields, Valencia and Zelienople boroughs.
