The official ballot for the May 19 general primary is set.
While the primary does not feature a marquee Erie County race — such as the 2025 contests for Erie mayor and Erie County executive — there are plenty of contests for local voters to weigh in on.
Here are the some of the candidates who will be seeking Erie County voters’ support.
Governor
Gov. Josh Shapiro (left) and PA Treasurer Stacy Garrity.
Incumbent Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro, seeking a second six-year term, is a heavy favorite over his likely Republican challenger in November’s general election, state Treasurer Stacy Garrity. She earned the state GOP’s endorsement in September.
May 19 primary: These are races to watch in Pennsylvania’s Democratic primary
Garrity, who is unopposed in the primary, must secure her spot in the general election by winning the May primary.
Lieuenant Governor
Incumbent Democrat Austin Davis is seeking re-election and is unopposed for his party’s nomination. There are two Republicans on the primary ballot: Westmoreland County’s John Ventre and Jason Richey of Allegheny County.
Congress 16th District
Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly.
The incumbent, Republican Mike Kelly of Butler, was first elected in 2010 and is unopposed.
Mercer County Democrat Justin Wagner, an engineer and U.S. Army veteran who served in Iraq, is seeking the Democratic nomination, hoping to square off against Kelly in the Nov. 3 election.
The 16th District includes Erie, Crawford, Mercer, Lawrence and Butler counties and the western portion of Venango County.
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Pat Harkins of Erie, the Democratic incumbent, is seeking his 11th term as 1st District representative and is currently unopposed. There is no Republican on the ballot. The district includes five Erie wards and Lawrence Park Township.
A voter leaves St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Erie in this November 2024 file photo.
Fellow Democrat Bob Merski of Erie, seeking re-election to a fifth term as the 2nd District state House representative, is also unopposed. There is no GOP candidate is in the race. The 2nd District includes Erie’s 5th Ward, Wesleyville Borough, and Summit, Greene and Harborcreek townships.
Incumbent Democrat Ryan Bizzarro of Millcreek Township, who has represented the district since 2013, is unopposed for his party’s nomination in the 3rd District contest. Republican Donna Reese is seeking the GOP nomination. The 3rd District includes Millcreek and Fairview townships.
In the 4th District, incumbent Republican Jake Banta of LeBoeuf Township, first elected to the seat in 2022, is unopposed for the GOP nomination. Democrat Kathryn DiVittorio of Corry is seeking her party’s nomination. The district includes the city of Corry; Edinboro, Elgin, Girard, Lake City, McKean, Mill Village, North East, Platea, Union City, Waterford, and Wattsburg boroughs; Amity, Concord, Franklin, Girard, Greenfield, Leboeuf, McKean, North East, Union, Venango, Washington, Waterford and Wayne townships.
Incumbent Republican Brad Roae is seeking re-election to the 6th District seat and is unopposed. Roae is seeking his 11th two-year term. Democrat and fellow Crawford County resident Michael Walker is seeking his party’s nomination for the seat. The 6th District represents Albion and Cranesville boroughs and Springfield, Conneaut and Elk Creek townships in Erie County as well as Meadville, Conneaut Lake, Linesville and Conneautville in Crawford County.
Committee contests
In addition, there are a number of Erie County and state committee races on the ballot for both the Democratic and Republican parties.
New polling places
Erie County elections officials report that there are a number of new polling places, or polling sites that are now located in new buildings/locations. Those include:
Erie 1st Ward, 7th District and 8th District: the new Edison School, 1916 E 7th St., front gymnasium entrance, door no. 2.
Erie 3rd Ward, 4th District: Strong Vincent Middle School 1330 W Eighth St., lower level entrance off Weschler Avenue.
Erie 5th Ward, 14th District: Abundant Life Church of Erie, 3952 Pine Ave., south parking lot entrance.
Fairview Township, 4th District: Walnut Creek Baptist Church, 6015 West Ridge Road, front entrance.
Harborcreek Township District 1: East Lake Road Alliance Church, 4500 East Lake Road, east side entrance near parking lot.
Harborcreek Township 2nd District: Faith Lutheran Church, 5414 East Lake Road, enter from the parking lot near the building’s southwest corner.
Harborcreek Township, 7th District: Harborcreek United Methodist Church, 7929 McGill Road, south side entrance.
Girard Township District 1: Camp Sherwin 8600 West Lake Road, Lake City, Darone Pavilion, front entrance.
Contact Kevin Flowers at kflowers@timesnews.com. Follow him on X at@ETNflowers.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Key races on Erie County’s general primary ballot