(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – Allegheny County Election Division Deputy Manager Chet Harhut explains the process of sorting mail-in and absentee ballots in preparations for Pennsylvania’s primary election on April 23, at the Elections warehouse in Pittsburgh, April 18, 2024. Pennsylvania election officials said Wednesday, May 8, 2024 that the number of mail-in ballots rejected for technicalities, like a missing date, saw a significant drop in last month’s primary election after state officials tried anew to help voters avoid mistakes that might get their ballot thrown out. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, file)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Beaver County, PA) As the 2026 Pennsylvania primary election approaches, voters in the Beaver Valley will soon decide a number of contested local races on May 19. According to the Beaver County Times, here are the positions available in the primary election and the candidates who are trying to earn your vote:
US Representative, 16th District
Democrat (vote for one)
Justin Wagner of Mercer is a senior controls engineer.
Republican (vote for one)
Mike Kelly, incumbent, of Butler, has served the office since 2011.
US Representative, 17th District
Democrat (vote for one)
Chris Deluzio, incumbent, of Aspinwall, has served the office since 2023.
Republican (vote for one)
Tony Guy of Hopewell Township is Beaver County’s sheriff.
Jesse James Vodvarka of Robinson Township runs a family-owned spring-manufacturing business. He previously ran for this seat in 2020, but was removed from the ballot before the primary.
PA Representative, District 14
Republican (vote for one)
Roman Kozak, incumbent, of Beaver Falls, has served since 2025.
PA Representative, District 15
Democrat (vote for one)
Sydney Speicher of Midland is a law student at the University of Pittsburgh.
Republican (vote for one)
Joshua Kail, incumbent, of Brighton Township, has served since 2018.
PA Representative, District 16
Democrat (vote for one)
Robert Matizie, incumbent, of Harmony Township, has held office since 2008.
Republican (Vote for one)
John Costanza of Center Township is co-owner of Cesina’s Sausage Co. in Aliquippa.
Member of Democratic State Committee (vote for three)
Hannah Brooks of Pulaski Township
Joe Janos of Hopewell Township
Mary Jane Jones Gilliam of Ambridge
Michael Jackson of Ambridge
Member of the Republican State Committee (vote for three)
Jon OData of Rochester
Toni Shuppe of Economy
Diana Campbell of South Beaver Township
Scott Presler of Baden
Abby Kail of Brighton Township