West Chester Mayor's Race, School Board Seats Contended

WEST CHESTER, PA — Three candidates are hoping to step into the role Rep. Diane Herrin (D-156th) vacated in 2020 as the former West Chester Borough Mayor Herrin became a state legislator.

The candidates for West Chester Mayor appear on the Democratic ballot. They are Kyle Hudson, current Interim Mayor Jordan Norley, and Lillian Debaptiste.

Norley had been appointed as interim mayor in Herrin's absence, his second time with the interim mayor title. He also stepped in as interim mayor in 2017. He's served on West Chester Borough Council and was council president from 2014-16.

Hudson has served on the West Chester Democratic Committee, representing Ward 7 for two years. He has said he is determined that those in the borough who have been ignored in the past be heard by the Borough.

Debaptista is endorsed by Chester County Sheriff, Fredda Maddox. Her campaign website states she hopes to "build upon the solid foundation begun by Mayor Dr. Clifford E. DeBaptiste, who in 1994 began turning this town around — from a shuttered main street into a thriving community."

In West Chester Area School District's Region 1, both the Republican and the Democratic ballots contain a contested race between incumbent school board director Joyce Chester and challenger Ada Nestor. Chester is a Democrat, and Nestor is a Republican.

Westtown ballots and some West Goshen ballots contain another contested race for School Director in the WCASD Region 3. The Republican ballot lists incumbents Chris McCune and Randall Spackman. Also running for the two Region 3 seats are Laura Detre and Stacey Whomsley. The Democratic ballot lists a fifth candidate, Carrie R. Stare.

Five candidates appear on the Democratic ballot for Judge in the Court of Common Pleas. Three of the five are cross-filed on both ballots, and Republican voters must choose two of these three: Lou Mincarelli, P.J. Redmond, and Alita Rovito. Democratic party members can choose two from among those three and also Carlos Barraza and Tony Verwey.

Some West Chester ballots contain the contest for Magisterial Judge in District 15-01-1. On the Republican ballot, voters choose between Mark A. Bruno and Marc J. Lieberman. Democrats will choose one of three; Mark A. Bruno, Marc J. Lieberman, or Daniel Hollander.

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