Incumbent Hangs On To Seat In Council Rock School Board Race

NEWTOWN, PA — Incumbent Council Rock school board member Joe Hidalgo has held on to his seat, unofficial tallies show. According to the uncertified election results, Republican Hidalgo received 1,511 votes. Democratic challenger Karl Fetzer received 1,099 votes.

Six seats on the nine-member Council Rock Board of School Directors were up for election on Nov. 5 but just the Region 4 race was contested.

Region 4 includes Northampton Township Districts 2, 6, 7, 12. Fetzer challenged incumbent Hidalgo, who was appointed by the school board in 2018 to fill a seat left vacant by the resignation of Wendi Thomas, who is now a state representative.

Hidalgo is a graduate of The University of Delaware and works as a financial advisor.
Fetzer earned a PhD in mechanical engineering from Villanova University and completed his undergraduate studies at Lehigh University. He is a research and development engineer at Siemens Corporation.

According to a questionnaire from the Bucks County League of Woman Voters, Fetzer said he has a long-standing interest in education. "Teaching has been a constant in my life, from my high school days as a tutor to the mentoring and volunteering I've done during my time in industry," Fetzer said.

Democrat Maryann McKee ran uncontested for Region 1. In Region 2, Edward F. Tate won uncontested. In Region 5, Ed Salamon was uncontested, and in Region 7 Michael J. Thorwart was selected in an uncontested race. Kristen Marcell prevailed uncontested in Region 9.