Local Politics is an as-needed column on the political scene in Montgomery County filled with speculation, opinion, and more.
Last week, Montgomery County released the unofficial list of candidates for the 2023 election. It is unofficial because the petitions that were submitted can be contested and those who qualified can withdraw from the race they qualified for prior to the election.
The opportunity for actual debate about local issues continues its decline due to the lack of competitive primaries and the inability of local Republicans to run candidates for all of the offices up for election.
That doesn’t bode well for actual public discourse.
Abington Township
In Ward 1, the primaries for both parties are uncontested. Running for the Democatic Party is incumbent Tom Heckler. Running as a Republican is Lisa Mallon.
In Ward 3, there is only candidate, incumbent Democrat Drew Rothman.
In ward 5, there is a contested primary on the Democratic Party side, but no Republican candidate. Running are incumbent Democrat Julia Vaughn and Democrat Aryanna Laney-Martin.
In Ward 7, incumbent Democrat Stuart Winegrad is unopposed in the primary and the Republicans do not have a candidate.
In Ward 9, neither party has a contested primary. Running are incumbent Republican Dennis Zappone and Democrat Kathy Lacey.
In Ward 11, incumbent Democrat John L Spiegelman is the only candidate.
In Ward 13, incumbent Democrat Bill Bole is running, along with Republican Ellen Thornton Staerk. The primaries are uncontested.
In Ward 15, incumbent Democrat Thomas Bowman is the race for another term. On the Republican side James M. Bottone is running, The primaries are uncontested.
All seats are for four years.
Cheltenham Township
In Ward 1, incumbent Democrat Matthew Areman is the only candidate.
In Ward 2, there is one candidate for a two-year term that is the result of a resignation. Democrat Dwight Pedro Lewis was appointed to fill the seat in February 2023 and is running to serve the balance of the term.
In Ward 3, Democrat Jeff Chirico is the only candidate. The current commissioner for Ward 3, Brad M. Pransky, is not seeking re-election.
In Ward 5, two Democrats are competing for the seat in a contested primary. Running are incumbent Daniel B. Norris and William England.
In Ward 7, incumbent Democrat Irv Brockington is the only candidate.
All seats are for four years, unless otherwise noted.
Jenkintown Borough
In Ward 1, Democrat Steven A. Spindler is running and there are no other candidates. Chelsea Sperger is not seeking re-election.
In Ward 2, there are two seats up for election. Running are incumbent Democrats Joanne R. Bruno and Maxine L. Marlowe.
in Ward 3, incumbent Democrat David Ballard is the only candidate.
In Ward 4, there are two seats up for election. Running are incumbent Democrats Alexander Bartlett and Jay Conners.
All seats are for four years.