Latest news with #ChristinaVogel
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
2025 Primary Election Results: Erie County Executive
(WJET/WFXP) — The 2025 Pennsylvania primary election took place on May 20. This year's election for Erie County Executive features Perry Wood and Christina Vogel on the Democratic side. The winner of this race will go up against uncontested Republican incumbent Brenton Davis in the November general election. You can view election results as they update in real-time for the Erie County Executive race below: Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
What are top priorities for Erie County executive candidates ahead of the primary?
Economic development. Emergency medical services. Child care. Erie County's executive will face a number of issues in the next four years. And on May 20, voters will decide which two candidates should compete for the job in November to ultimately address them. One candidate is already locked in: Brenton Davis, 42, is the Republican incumbent and running unopposed for a second term. On the Democratic side, Donatos Pizza franchisee Christina Vogel, 48, will compete against Perry Wood, 46, the executive director of the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority. The Erie Times-News posed the following questions to all three candidates. Their answers were edited for length and clarity. Davis: My administration has a proven track record of delivering results. I took office at the height of COVID and immediately reopened our economy, trusting residents to make their own health choices. We partnered with local health systems to stand up emergency clinics and not a single life was lost under our watch. Since then, we've faced windstorms, floods, 38 wildfires, historic snowstorms and a measles outbreak ― and no lives were lost in any of these disasters. That's the result of pre-planned responses, trained volunteers, community partnerships and even inmate work crews stepping up to help. My background ― 23 years in military leadership, nearly two decades as a private business owner and a master's in economic development and an undergraduate in psychology — has prepared me to lead in times of crisis. Plus, my established ties with the White House, the governor's, U.S. and state Senate and House offices along with national appointed leadership positions give Erie County leverage that neither of my opponents can match. Please enable Javascript to view this content. Vogel: I have managed budgets that are millions of dollars. That means earning every dollar that comes into my business and dealing with the real-world consequences if there is a shortfall. In my business, which I created from nothing, I have had to make tough choices. I know I can find efficiencies and savings in the county budget because I've already done it in my own business after COVID and on a much larger scale in Illinois in the Office of Management and Budget, which is billions of dollars. When you're facing the kind of fiscal cliff that we are in, you want someone who has managed large budgets, who has had to make payroll when things are tough and who respects their employees. The simple truth is I am the only candidate who has created actual jobs. My MBA and my direct experience at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Office of Management and Budget for the State of Illinois and in my businesses make me uniquely qualified to dig deep into the budget, rein in spending and ensure every single dollar is impactful and spent legally and to improve Erie County for all residents. Additionally, I put in an untold number of hours with the rest of the inaugural board of trustees to create the Erie County Community College. It is this real experience as a business owner and community college inaugural board member and community advocate that allows me to bring a perspective to the office that no one else can. Wood: I believe I'm the most viable candidate for county executive because I bring both the experience to govern effectively and the relationships to win across party lines. I've spent my career working with Republicans, Democrats and Independents alike to deliver real results for Erie County. This includes building the Keystone Innovation Zone, helping launch the Erie County Community College and overseeing over $88 million in investments through the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority. These weren't solo projects, they were partnerships with local governments, businesses and community leaders. That's what sets me apart. I already have strong working relationships with local elected officials, County Council and other regional leaders. Where the current administration has burned bridges, I've prioritized building them. That collaborative spirit is essential, not just for winning elections, but for governing effectively. I also bring deep knowledge of the county's economic development system. I've led efforts to make it more accountable and transparent, replacing dysfunction with trust and stability. Erie County residents deserve a county government that works and I've proven I can deliver that. In contrast, the incumbent's administration has been marked by lawsuits, infighting and a top-down leadership style that has alienated even members of his own party. Erie County doesn't need more chaos, it needs a unifier, a coach, someone who listens, collaborates and follows through. Direct primaries didn't always exist: The first was held in Crawford County in 1842. Davis: When I took office, Erie County didn't even track 911 data, let alone recognize the severity of our EMS crisis. In 2022, we had 1,267 dropped EMS calls, an 18% drop rate. Today, that rate is below 2%, and response times have improved dramatically. We've invested millions in EMS scholarships, adding 80-plus EMTs and paramedics to our workforce and regionalized providers for faster, more cost-effective service. But the crisis isn't over: 40% of Erie County still lacks reliable ambulance coverage. That's why I've proposed $2.5 million in county gaming revenue for the 2025 budget: To save lives, strengthen public safety and lower taxes. We must invest in infrastructure to attract the opportunities which pass Erie County by each week. We now have large shovel-ready sites with the business park investment. However, most companies want to be in operation within six months of signing. We must have infrastructure in the ground to support industry, have a nimble workforce development pipeline being built at the Community College and clear span structures capable of being modified quickly to allow a company to purchase/lease and build to suit their needs in a short time frame. No zoning hurdles, no waiting on government and inspection delays -- truly moving at the speed of business. My administration will continue to identify pathways to keep our taxes low and look for alternatives to property taxes. I firmly believe no one should work their whole life, pay for a home and never truly own it. We need to look at property tax levies similar to Ohio which allow for tax abatement for our senior citizens. This is something which my administration is currently researching the possibilities under PA law to do similar in Erie County. Vogel: The most important issue is the budget. This is essential for several key reasons. First, we cannot afford another tax increase and since so much of the county revenue comes from the state and federal government, we must ensure we are efficient and smart with your tax dollars to survive the pressure being put on federal dollars. I plan to explore zero based budgeting to better manage spending. I will also look for efficiencies and eliminate duplication of services. Second, county government is about people. We don't pave streets we take care of people and I want to get back to supporting essential social services. The Office of Children and Youth, the Health Department and Library Services are all critically important. Again, the funds for these programs are in jeopardy and we must not let them be negatively impacted. By finding savings elsewhere, we will be in a stronger position to shore up these and other critical services. Finally, I will make transparency, open communication and accountability a priority. The infighting, the lawsuits, the settlements ― all of this takes away from the purpose of the Erie County executive and wastes precious time and money. Wood: If elected, I will prioritize three key areas: Expanding access to childcare, supporting small businesses and restoring real economic development across Erie County. First, childcare. This is one of the biggest barriers to workforce participation and we're tackling it head-on. In my current role with ECGRA, I've helped launch an initiative to create 2,500 high-quality childcare slots across the county to build new daycare centers, renovate existing ones and help providers expand capacity. This isn't just good for families, it's essential for our economy. Second, I'll focus on supporting new and existing businesses. Erie County is full of potential, but bureaucracy and a lack of coordination hold too many people back. I've worked with small businesses for years through the NWPA Technology Council and ECGRA and I'll keep doing it by strengthening our small business ecosystem and with a goal to launch 500 new startups across the county. Third, I'll bring back a serious, coordinated economic development strategy. Through initiatives like Mission Main Street and Empower Erie, we've shown that when we align government, business, and community partners, we can create real opportunity. On day one, I'll rejoin Infinite Erie and make sure the county government is no longer operating in isolation. That means working with public and private stakeholders to drive investment, cutting red tape and deliver the results our county deserves. A.J. Rao can be reached at arao@ Follow him on X @ETNRao. This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie County executive: Davis runs for reelection, two Dems compete
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Christina Vogel announces run for Erie County Executive
A new candidate is throwing her hat in the ring for the race of Erie County Executive. Christina Vogel is a small business owner of Donato's Pizza and will be on the Democratic ticket for Erie County Executive. Ed Brzezinski enters race for city controller She said she feels the most qualified for the position with her background in business, economics, and her previous work with the U.S. Corps of Army Engineers creating a national analysis tool to allocate tax dollars more efficiently. Vogel said she will prioritize Erie County residents in many ways, including financially. Erie Co. Sheriff Chris Campanelli seeking re-election 'When I look at the budget for Erie County it's almost $600 million and 60% of it is for health and human services specifically. And I think that what I see on a daily basis in the jobs that I'm in with my employees with just talking to people that it is really hard for people and I think that when you are not connecting with regular people that are dealing with those issues it kind of gets lost,' said Vogel. Vogel emphasized how she is willing and determined to meet with anyone while campaigning and hear the needs and concerns of residents. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
