Nine vie for three seats on county board
Incumbents may be difficult to overcome
The May 19 primary election in Washington County features nine candidates for county commissioner — the most in recent history — with three Republicans and six Democrats fighting for what will be three seats in the general election.
It won’t be a boring primary, said Joseph DiSarro, chairman of the political science department at Washington & Jefferson College.
“I think it will come down to politics, personality and questions of leadership,” Mr. DiSarro said.
A $6.9 million property reassessment is nearly complete and the county is reaping the benefit of
incoming revenue from shale drilling and gambling at The Meadows Racetrack and Casino.
“If the assessment issue was still there, you could have had some fireworks,” he said. “But I don’t see any substantive issue that would allow one of the incumbents or more to lose. You need some issues and a lot of money to unseat an incumbent.”
The three sitting commissioners, Democrats Larry Maggi and Harlan Shober, along with Republican Diana Irey Vaughan, have much in common. With no dissension in those ranks, they will be tough to unseat.
“I feel when the issues are not that important in a race, what happens is the incumbent is returned to office,” Mr. DiSarro said.
Candidates also might zero in on the issue of a new tax for Marcellus Shale drilling, such as the one being proposed by Gov. Tom Wolf.
“There’s been a 50 percent decline in investment by major drilling companies and hiring freezes,” Mr. DiSarro said. “A lot of this is due to the threat of taxation.”
But if the challengers can’t convince voters that the threat is real or that the current board lacks leadership, they may not have a chance, Mr. DiSarro said.
“They’ll be questions as to how the county could better do things, but these are not issues that will be sufficient to dislodge one of the incumbents,” he said.
Each party will select two candidates to face off in the Nov. 3 general election. The top three vote-getters then win seats on the commission.
Here is a list of candidates in alphabetical order. Candidates were asked for biographical information and to explain their qualifications for the office in 40 words or fewer. They were also asked to explain, in 50 words, why they were running.
Randy J. Barli, Democrat Age: 60 Home: Coal Center Family: Single Education: Associate’s degree from Pennsylvania State University
Job: Retired electrical contractor
Previous elected office: Coal Center council 19831989, 2000-2002
Qualifications: Candidate for state House and for commissioner; electrical contractor; family/personal business; project manager in Washington, D.C.; member, United Steelworkers of America and United Mine Workers of America.
Why are you running? Guaranteed to be a 24/7/365 public servant; to resolve the county’s top priorities: the substance abuse problem and the upcoming 2016 reassessment discrepancies/inequalities problem. Google my name, then visit smartvoter.org/Vote/Barli for more information.
Judith L. Fisher, Democrat Age: 76 Home: South Strabane Family: Husband, Robert Fisher; two grown children; four grandchildren
Education: Earned credits at California State University and University of Pittsburgh; am trained rehabilitation chemical dependency counselor
Job and previous public office: Retired Washington County Democratic jury commissioner
Qualifications: Was a jury commissioner for 20 years and president and vice president of the Pennsylvania Jury Commissioners Association and a Pennsylvania Democratic and Washington County Democratic Committee member
Why are you running? Muhammad Ali said, “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.” I wish to continue my service. Together we can build our own community college, educate our children in leadership through a county government internship program and scholarship fund.
Diana Irey Vaughan, Republican Age: 52 Home: Nottingham Family: Husband, Robert Vaughan; three grown children
Education: Graduated West Virginia Business College, 1981, attended Fairmont State College
Job: Washington County commissioner, 1996-present
Qualifications: A proven track record. During my time as commissioner, Washington County has maintained one of the lowest county tax rates in the region, has grown in population and has achieved the ranking of third in the nation in job growth.
Why are you running? I am running to continue building on the foundation of success. I will continue my work to provide available sites for business locations, while working on new initiatives to revitalize our small towns. I will continue my efforts in corrections reform. Larry Maggi, Democrat Age: 64 Home: Buffalo Family: Wife, Mary Jeanne; four grown children; six grandchildren
Education: Bachelor’s degree from California University of Pennsylvania
Job: Washington County commissioner, 2003-present
Previous public office: Washington County sheriff
Qualifications: Served in the U.S. Marine Corps.; was a state police officer for 24 years; served six years as the Washington County sheriff
Why are you running? Washington County’s economy is one of the fastestgrowing in our nation. We have grown in population and jobs; have $3.04 billion in new investment, 10,000 created/retained jobs and one of the lowest tax rates in the region. I want to make sure we continue that success.
Corey N. McConn, Democrat Age: 38 Home: Cross Creek Family: Single Education: Bachelor’s degree from Washington & Jefferson College
Job: Account manager in the marketing department at Pennsylvania Transformer Technology Inc. in Canonsburg; with the firm 15 years
Previous elected office: Avella Area school board, 2001 to present, including nine years as board president
Qualifications: My experience working in the community over the last 15 years has helped me develop the leadership and fiduciary skills needed to help make Washington County a better place to live and work.
Why are you running? One reason is a growing concern with how the county is handling growth in the oil and gas industry in our region. The county needs to better focus on the long-term viability and accountability of this growth. I also enjoy being involved in the community.
Mike McCormick, Republican Age: 66 Home: Peters Family: Wife, Cathie; three grown children; six grandchildren
Education: Bachelor’s degree from Clarion University
Job: CEO of BenchMark Wealth Management
Qualifications: Cofounder of BenchMark; past president and board member of National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors; past president and board member of National Association of Christian Financial Advisors; past board member of the Financial Planning Association; church leadership for more than 20 years; president of The Endurance Foundation.
Why are you running? I have a vision of a growing, prosperous Washington County with high employment, safe communities and a clean and healthy environment. Lean, effective, modern, ethical government can be a catalyst for economic growth. I will focus on job creation, keeping taxes low and resources that attract and retain residents.
Nick Sherman, Republican Age: 35 Home: North Strabane Family: Wife, Heather; children ages 4 and 1
Education: Bachelor’s degree from Clarion University
Job: Vice president, Domestic Outreach Center
Qualifications: I’m qualified based on my public and private work experience. I am well-versed in balancing budgets, rallying employees and cutting through red tape. I have worked with multiple county governments, which has given me an understanding of what we need to do to move Washington County forward. My youth means new ideas and goals.
Why are you running? To bring greater transparency to county government. Natural gas and casino royalties need to go back to the communities to bring tax rates down. As commissioner, I have a long-term plan for growth and stability. Another priority would be to tackle Washington County’s heroin addiction issues.
Harlan Shober, Democrat Age: 70 Home: Chartiers Family: Wife, Jacquelyn; four grown children
Education: Attended Indiana State Teachers College
Job: Washington County commissioner, 2012-present
Previous elected office: Chartiers Houston school director for 12 years; Chartiers Township supervisor for 16 years
Qualifications: Served in local government for 28 years; have business experience of 32 years as a manager at AT&T and 14 years owning Shober Homes
Why are you running? My experience has prepared me for the job and in the last three-plus years, the county has moved forward. I have enjoyed helping residents and would like to continue to position the county for the future.
Allen "AJ" Williams, Democrat Age: 27 Home: North Strabane Family: Wife, Savannah; two sons, Kamden, 6, and Micah, 2
Education: Bachelor’s degree from Washington & Jefferson College
Job: Business manager at South Hills Chrysler Dodge Jeep and Ram
Previous elected office: Canonsburg borough council
Qualifications: Served on negotiating committees, been involved with the balancing of million-dollar budgets and brought change to Canonsburg.
Why are you running? There are many issues not being addressed. I would bring a fresh perspective and new ideas to county government. I want to make sure that Washington County continues to thrive and remains a safe place for not only my family, but for every family.