Four Candidates Running In May Primary For Chesco Commissioners

WEST CHESTER, PA —The Chester County commissioners race has two incumbent Democrats and two Republicans running for three seats on the board, which oversees an estimated $613 million operating budget.

Chester County was historically led by a Republican majority until 2019, when two Democratic candidates were elected.

Tuesday was the last day to circulate and file nominating petitions with the Chester County Board of Elections. March 22 is the deadline to withdraw.

Both Democratic incumbents, Josh Maxwell and Marian Moskowitz are seeking re-election. Both are endorsed by the Democratic party. The current lone Republican, Michele Kichline, announced last year that she is not seeking a third term.

Kichline said in an interview with Patch that she believes in term limits and knows other candidates were interested in running.

Two Republican candidates Eric Roe, 35, a former state representative, and David Sommers, 48, a social studies teacher, are running for commissioner. They both are endorsed by the Chester County Republican party.

Chester County commissioners earn an annual salary of $86,389, and serve a four-year term.

The candidates

David Sommers, Republican

Sommers said on his candidate Facebook page that he submitted his nomination papers to Chester County Voter Services on Monday with 1,125 signatures. The required amount is 250.
Sommers is a social studies teacher at Bishop Shanahan High School, Downingtown.
He was a former legislative representative for the Association of Catholic Teachers Local 1776 and a Republican committee man for West Goshen Township Area 20.
“I will work to preserve the historic character and natural beauty of Chester County for all who live and work here and the next generation,” he said.

Eric Roe, Republican

Roe said on his candidate's Facebook page that he filed his petition Tuesday with 1,454 signatures. He represented District 158 in the state House, which covers nine municipalities in southern Chester County, for two years. Roe of West Bradford Township is employed as a client service manager at a financial firm in Downingtown. He worked as an administrative analyst for Commissioner Kichline. He also worked in a Homeland Security consulting firm, and for nonprofits. He is fluent in Spanish and French and held a town hall in Spanish. Roe said he wants to make it more affordable to live in Chester County, while preserving landscapes and preventing over-development.

Josh Maxwell, Democrat

Maxwell, 39, a lifelong resident of Chester County, previously served as mayor of Downingtown. As mayor, he oversaw economic improvements, including an Amtrak/SEPTA train station. He was elected county commissioner in 2019, taking office in 2020. Maxwell, vice chairman of the commissioners, said he was proud to be part of the team that responded quickly, acted thoroughly, and saved money and lives through the strategic implementation of countywide health and economic responses to the pandemic. Having grown up in a working-class community, Maxwell said he has been advocating for working families.

Marian Moskowitz, Democrat

Marian Moskowitz of Malvern was elected commissioner in 2019, taking office in 2020. She is the chairwoman of the board. She is secretary of the board of the West Chester University Council of Trustees. In 2021, former Gov. Tom Wolf re-appointed Moskowitz to the Board of Governors of the Pennsylvania System of Higher Education. Moskowitz is a member of the Colonial Theater, Phoenixville; People’s Light Theater, Malvern; Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority; and the Schuylkill River Transportation Authority. She loves to cook, read, walk, and spend time with her children and grandchildren.