Smeltz, Snyder and Conklin Succeed as Commissioners
Strouse New DA, Stover New Sheriff
LOCK HAVEN—Clinton County voters showed a penchant for splitting tickets in Tuesday’s municipal election, selecting candidates from the two major parties as they made their choices.
When the unofficial count had been tallied Tuesday night, incumbent county commissioners Pete Smeltz and Jeff Snyder were successful in their bid for second terms, but minority commissioner Joel Long, seeking a third 4-year term, was ousted by former Castanea Township supervisor Paul Conklin.
The election night tally showed Republicans Smeltz and Snyder one-two with 4,221 and 3,484 votes respectively; Conklin defeated fellow Democrat Long for the third slot, Conklin with 3,324 votes to Long’s 2,929.
Long later posted on social media, thanking “everyone who supported me for the last 18 years that I’ve held elected office.” A former Lock Haven City Councilman, Long said he hoped he made the county “a better place.”
Dave Strouse at 34 became what is believed to be the county’s youngest district attorney ever. He polled 4,436 votes to defeat former DA Fred Lingle’s 3,041 votes. Strouse said he looks forward “to meeting with our local police and the state police to lay the groundwork for the law enforcement programs” he will seek to initiate. He said he hoped current DA Karen Kuebler and her staff will work with him to make for a smooth transition.
A second Democratic incumbent lost out on the county level when Robert “Butch” Rooney finished fourth in a 4-way race for the three county auditor positions. Incumbent Republican Peggy Heller finished first with 3,781 votes, Democrat Michelle Crowell was second with 3,378 and former auditor Rita O’Brien, a Republican, displaced Rooney with her 3,006 votes, as opposed to Rooney’s 2,902.
Sitting Register and Recorder Jennifer Hoy easily outdistanced Jason Walker to earn a four year term in the court house. The Republican Hoy finished with 4,319 votes to 3,097 for her Democratic opponent. Hoy had been appointed register and recorder two years ago following the retirement of Gail Gephart. The day was also special for Hoy, she noted in a post-election interview, in that it was her 43rd birthday.
Deputy sheriff Kerry Stover romped in the race to replace the retiring Chuck Ankney as sheriff. Stover, a Democrat, finished with 4,591 votes to 2,893 for Republican Ed Higgins.
First-term prothonotary Marie Vilello, a Democrat, won a second term without opposition.
There were 7,686 votes cast countywide, just over a 37 percent turnout.
