Today is primary election day across Pennsylvania.
In Butler County, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., although many people opted to vote early by mail due to concerns about exposure to COVID-19.
There are only three contested races locally for State House, and all three are in Republican primaries. In the 11th District, Ryan Covert is challenging incumbent Marci Mustello for the GOP nomination to run in November against Democrat Sam Doctor, who is unopposed today.
In the 12th District, Scott Timko is challenging incumbent Daryl Metcalfe for the GOP nomination to run against Democrat Daniel Smith Jr.
And in the 8th District, Scott Jaillet is challenging incumbent Tim Bonner for the GOP nomination to run against Democrat Phil Heasley in November.
Local candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives are unopposed today.
Political analyst and Franklin & Marshall professor Terry Madonna said it’s a tall task for challengers to knock off an incumbent.
“You need some fundamental reason that resonates with voters, and now you just have the trouble of communicating with voters,” Madonna said. “And typically if you have a governor or U.S. Senate seat up for election, that attracts a good bit of attention. But, there’s nothing statewide in this election. The three row offices on the ballot are not elections that attract the attention that you think they would.”
The three row offices up for election in Pennsylvania are Attorney General, Treasurer, and Auditor General.
