And they're off ... Erie County candidates file petitions to get on primary ballot

The field is set for the May 19 municipal primary.

And for some candidates, they will have a free ride in the primary -- and maybe in the Nov. 3 general election.

Candidates -- those who hadn't already filed -- met Tuesday's deadline to qualify for the primary in Erie County by filing their nominating petitions at the Erie County Election Office at the County Courthouse.

And one surprise emerged in the race for one of two seats on the Erie County Common Pleas Court bench.

Lawyer Anthony "Buzz" Andrezeski, 67, the former state senator, filed nominating petitions Tuesday with the Department of State in Harrisburg for a judgeship. Andrezeski, who had not previously been mentioned as a candidate, is seeking only the Democratic nomination, though candidates for judge can seek both major party nominations regardless of their party affiliation.

Andrezeski, who said most of his practice now involves consumer law, told the Erie Times-News that he will make a formal announcement about his candidacy soon.

Candidates for judge must file with the Department of State.

As expected, seven other candidates for judge filed their nominating petitions to get on the primary ballot.

They are: Erin Connelly, assistant Erie County district attorney, Democrat; Damon Hopkins, Erie lawyer, Republican; Jamie Mead, Erie lawyer, Republican; Elvage Murphy, Erie lawyer and Edinboro University of Pennsylvania professor, Democrat; Ed Smith, Erie lawyer, Republican; Chad Vilushis, Erie lawyer, Democrat; and Joe Walsh, Erie lawyer, Democrat.

Retirements are making room for two seats on the Erie County Court bench.

One of the big municipal races will be in Millcreek Township, where three Democrats and two Republicans are seeking the seat now held by Supervisor Richard Figaski, who isn't seeking a second term. The candidates are: Democrats John Morgan, Donna Reese and former Supervisor Jess Jiuliante III, and Republicans Joseph Kujawa, a former supervisor, and Mike Kobylka. Reese and Kobylka are Millcreek School Board members; Morgan is a member of the Millcreek Planning Commission.

Some incumbents won't have competition in their party primary or the general election -- unless an Independent or third-party candidate emerges later.

Erie County District Attorney Jack Daneri and County Controller Mary Schaaf, both Republicans, filed their petitions. No Republican or Democrat filed petitions against them.

Daneri, who was appointed to the job after the 2009 death of Erie County District Attorney Brad Foulk, won his first election, unopposed, in 2011. He is seeking a second full term.

Schaaf, who won the controller's race four years ago against Democrat Casimir Kwitowski, is seeking a second term.

For Erie County Council, incumbents Phil Fatica and Fiore Leone, both Democrats, and Republican Carol Loll, filed their petitions and no one else filed from either party. Councilman Kyle Foust, a Democrat, will face a challenge from Republican Trish Catalano in the Nov. 3 election.

County Coroner Lyell Cook, a Republican, is seeking a fifth term this year and will oppose Democrat Holly Fetzner, technical director of Lions Eye Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania, in the fall. They have no primary opposition.

Three of Erie City Council's seven seats will be contested. Incumbents Mel Witherspoon and Bob E. Merski are running. Witherspoon is seeking a fourth, nonconsecutive term, and Merski is trying for a second, consecutive term.

Councilwoman Jessica Horan-Kunco is barred by the city's three-term limit rule from seeking another consecutive term.

Five other Democrats are running: Sonya Arrington, an anti-violence advocate; Gary Grack, a heavy equipment operator at National Fuel; Rebecca Styn, senior sales manager at the Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel; Richard Wagner, a retired Kaiser Aluminum employee; and Jon Whaley, general manager at Innovative Metal Craft and former top aide to Erie Mayor Joe Sinnott.

No Republicans filed petitions for City Council. The GOP, faced with a nearly 3-to-1 voter registration disadvantage, is all but ceding city races to Democrats.

Another example: City Treasurer Susan DiVecchio filed her petitions for a third, four-year term, and no one else from either party is running.

For Erie School Board, incumbents Linda Aleksandrowicz, Robert Casillo, Robbie Fabrizi, John Harkins and Frank Petrungar Jr. filed petitions to get on both party ballots.

Challengers Sonya Byes, Felix Lohitai and Tashana Pulliam filed as Democrats.

For Millcreek School Board, incumbents Judy Wheaton and Ron Wilga, along with Lou Aliota, Christopher Busko, Donnie Hosford, Ben Pike, Genene Mattern and Janine McClintic filed on both party ballots.

Jason Pauli filed as a Democrat.

Candidates filed for scores of other offices, too.

Key dates ahead - March 25: Last day for candidates in the primary to withdraw. - April 20: Last day to register before the primary. - May 12: Last day to apply for a civilian absentee ballot. - May 15: Last day for county Boards of Election to receive civilian absentee ballots. - May 19: Municipal primary.