Throw Your Hat Into the Ring?
Four of Swarthmore Borough Council’s seven seats will be on the ballot in 2021, as will the mayor’s seat. Council members Michael Carey, Betsy Larsen, and Lauren McKinney will step down, and council member Sarah Graden will run for re-election. Incumbent mayor Marty Spiegel will also run for re-election.
In Rutledge, all four borough council incumbents whose terms are up — Samantha Newell, Jody Roberts, Heidi Sentivan, and Ken Torres-Zickler — will run for re-election, according to Rutledge administrator Jen Mickle. Mayor Kevin Cunningham will step down.
In Rose Valley, four council seats will be on the ballot, as well as the seats of the controller, the tax collector, and the mayor, according to borough manager Paula Healy. Current mayor Tim Plummer does not plan to run again, Healy says. She adds that council president Bill Hale will seek the mayor’s seat.
In Nether Providence, the township commissioner seats in Wards 2, 4, 5, 6, and 7 will be on the ballot, according to Delaware County Council member Christine Reuther. Current township commissioners Matt Garson (Ward 2), Kait McKenzie (Ward 4), and Marty Molloy (Ward 7) will seek re-election, but Stephanie King (Ward 5) will not run again. Reuther adds that incumbent Kris Laubscher will seek re-election for tax collector. As for the two constable positions, incumbent William Sweeney will run again for one of them, while Paul Jacobs will run for the other. (Reuther says she does not know Ward 6 commissioner Robert O’Connor’s plans. He could not immediately be reached for comment.)
In the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District, four school board seats will be on the ballot. Incumbents Kelly Wachtman (Region 1) and board president David Grande (Region 3) will run for re-election, while Marylin Huff (Region 1) will not. Matthew Sullivan (Region 2) could not immediately be reached for comment about his plans.
Two Delaware County Council seats will be on the ballot. Incumbent Kevin Madden will run for re-election. Brian Zidek will step down.
Anyone considering a run for office may contact their local party chair for more information and guidance. Colleen Guiney, chair of the Delaware County Democrats, is at delcochair@gmail.com. In Swarthmore, potential Republican candidates may contact Lisa O’Brien, chair of the Swarthmore Republicans, at lisaob@comcast.net. In Nether Providence, potential Republican candidates may contact David Hackett at dhackett@cozen.com.
The first day to circulate and file nominating petitions is February 16. The primary will be held on May 19.
