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Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Democrats Horton, Troop, Flores, Pol win Erie City Council nominations in primary
Two incumbents, a longtime Erie County Councilman and a former city government employee captured the four Democratic nominations for Erie City Council in Tuesday's municipal primary. According to final unofficial vote totals from the Erie County Courthouse, former Erie County Councilman Andre Horton was the top vote-getter with 6,770 votes, or 22%, followed by current council members Jasmine Flores (6,446 votes, 21%), Maurice Troop (5,311 votes, 17%) and former deputy city clerk Marilyn Pol, who garnered 4,856 votes, or 16%. Deonte Cooley, a local realtor, received 4,322 votes, or 14%, and lawyer Darrel Vandeveld got 3,271 votes, or 11 percent. Four City Council seats were on the ballot in the municipal primary, and there will be at least two new faces on the seven-member panel in 2026. Previous coverage: Erie City Council race includes six Democrats, including two incumbents, on primary ballot That is because council member Chuck Nelson and current council President Mel Witherspoon, both Democrats, are not seeking new four-year terms. Nelson unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for city controller in the primary; Witherspoon is retiring from politics. The four Democrats will face off against four Republicans who were on the primary ballot: Yevet Anderson, Anita Fay, Tina Hiotis and Kimberly Hunter — in the Nov. 4 municipal election. Election coverage: Meet the four Republican candidates in the Erie City Council race The GOP candidates are attempting to beat long odds in November. No Republican has served on City Council since John Evans, a CPA and certified financial planner, did so as an appointee between June 2012 and December 2013. Evans had been the first Republican to serve on City Council since Denise Robison, who was elected to a seat on the seven-member panel in 1989. That Democratic dominance is largely due to the more than 2-to-1 Democratic voter registration edge within city limits. Starting in 2024, City Council members, who serve part-time, saw their first salary increase since 1986. Council members who've served 12 months or less now earn $6,000 a year; the salary is $8,000 for members who have served between 12 and 24 months. Members who have served between 24 and 36 months receive $10,000 annually; those who've served 36 months or more earn $12,000 a year. Council's president receives an additional $2,000 a year. Contact Kevin Flowers at kflowers@ Follow him on X at @ETNflowers. This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie City Council: Horton, Flores, Troop, Pol secure Dem nominations
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
2025 Primary Election Results: Erie City Council
(WJET/WFXP) — The 2025 Pennsylvania primary election took place on May 20. This year's election for the Erie City Council featured ten people fighting for their names on the November general election ballot, including Democratic incumbents Jasmine Flores and Maurice 'Mo' Troop. You can view election results as they update in real-time for the Erie City Council race below: Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Erie City Council race includes six Democrats, including two incumbents, on primary ballot
Six Democrats, including two incumbents, want city voters' support in the race for Erie City Council. Both Jasmine Flores and Maurice Troop, who were elected in 2021, are seeking their second four-year terms on the panel. The field also includes Deonte Cooley; Current Erie County Councilman Andre Horton, who cannot see re-election to County Council because of county term limit rules; Marilyn Pol, a retired deputy city clerk; and Darrel Vandeveld. Four City Council seats are on the ballot in the May 20 municipal primary, and there will be at least two new faces on the seven-member panel in 2026. That is because council member Chuck Nelson and current council President Mel Witherspoon, both Democrats, are not seeking new four-year terms. Nelson is seeking the Democratic nomination for city controller in the primary; Witherspoon is retiring from politics. The Democratic nominees will almost certainly face Republicans Yevet Anderson, Anita Fay, Tina Hiotis and Kimberly Hunter in the Nov. 4 municipal election. The Democratic nominees will be favored, however, because of the city's more than 2-1 Democratic voter registration edge. No Republican has been elected to Erie City Council since 1989, when Denise Robison won a seat on the seven-member panel. Primary candidates: Who are the candidates for city of Erie, county races in the May primary? No Republican has served on City Council since John Evans, a CPA and certified financial planner, did so as an appointee between June 2012 and December 2013. Starting in 2024, City Council members saw their first salary increase since 1986. Council members who've served 12 months or less now earn $6,000 a year; the salary is $8,000 for members who have served between 12 and 24 months. Members who have served between 24 and 36 months receive $10,000 annually; those who've served 36 months or more earn $12,000 a year. Council's president receives an additional $2,000 a year. Here are the Democratic candidates for City Council and their answers to the same question about the position. The Erie Times-News reserved the right to edit the candidates' answers for length and clarity. Age: 32 Occupation: Home health aide for clients with autism/intellectual disabilities Education: PA Cyber Charter School; Great Lakes Institute of Technology Family: In a relationship Question: Why are you running, and what specific qualities would make you an effective member of Erie City Council? Answer: I am running for re-election to Erie City Council because I want to continue building on the work we've started. The current administration is collaborating with community partners on a comprehensive housing plan and a parks and recreation plan, two areas I deeply care about for the city. As someone who grew up in Erie, works in healthcare, and comes from a large family, I bring a grounded, everyday perspective to the table. I understand how policy decisions affect working people and families in real life, not just on paper. I'm not afraid to speak up, ask hard questions, and advocate for those whose voices often go unheard. As the eldest of thirteen siblings, a home health aide, and someone who has spent my life in this community, I bring compassion, resilience, and lived experience. Those qualities help me connect with residents and ensure our city council reflects the people it serves. Age: 49 Occupation: School principal Education: Bachelor's degree from Westminster College; Master's degree/ Pennsylvania school principal's certification from Penn West Edinboro Family: Married with three children Why are you running, and what specific qualities would make you an effective member of Erie City Council? I am running for Erie City Council because of my passion to serve the community, to be a voice and an ear for the people, and my desire to be a part of the leadership that helps our hometown reach its full potential. A few of the qualities that I would bring to City Council are: selflessness, initiative, ability to lead, self-control, and four years of City Council experience. Age: 39 Occupation: Realtor Education: Bachelor of Arts degree from Clarion University; Master of Science degree in organizational leadership from Mercyhurst University. Family: Single with eight children Why are you running, and what specific qualities would make you an effective member of Erie City Council? I am running because I have a passion for the city of Erie and the future that is set to come. Erie needs change and new leadership to build off of what has been set to collaborate with communities that can be a part of Erie's future. There are three areas of focus that I have which are community resources, public safety, and housing. I believe by addressing these areas, we can build our community, address the decline in population, and create new opportunities for our city and the people who reside here. Erie has a great supply of resources for the community that citizens aren't aware of. Some of my plans are to enhance and establish new relationships with existing organizations so that those in need can receive the supportive services that these organizations provide so that their needs can be addressed. People need to feel safe here to want to live here and stay here. Public safety is an issue and neighborhoods need to be safe for its citizens. Creating educational opportunities as well as building relationships with public servants in the area of safety will be vital to making a change in this area. There are concerns with housing in the city of Erie and there seems to be a lack of understanding of roles and responsibilities. Addressing issues with home owners, landlords, and tenants will be beneficial to providing a safer community with safe and affordable housing for all who reside. I believe that relationships need to be established and information needs to be exchanged to address our issues with housing. Safe and affordable housing should be available to all, and everyone needs to understand their rights, roles, and responsibilities in the process. Age: 65 Occupation: Semi-retired laborer current member of Erie County Council. Education: Strong Vincent High School graduate, U.S. Air Force veteran Family: Married Why are you running, and what specific qualities would make you an effective member of Erie City Council? I'm running because more than ever, all politics are local. Local politics matter more than ever because of what's happening at the federal level. Local taxing bodies like school boards, Erie City Council and Erie County Council really matter. Experience matters. I have 12 years experience on County Council dealing with budgets and county government (Issues) which makes me incredibly qualified for the position of City Council. I am the most experienced person on either side of the ballot in this race, quite frankly. I can provide leadership and guidance. I can start the job and be effective on Day One. Age: 66 Occupation: Retired city of Erie deputy clerk Education: Twin Tech graduate Family: Three children, four grandchildren Why are you running, and what specific qualities would make you an effective member of Erie City Council? I'm running for City Council because I want to bring my experience to council and try to help the city from a different perspective. I worked in various offices over the years starting in Traffic Court, police and fire department, preparing payroll and budgets. I retired as the deputy city clerk where I worked closely with council preparing council meetings, researching resolutions and ordinances and filling in for the city clerk. I want council to work with the administration to focus on long-term solutions for the city and its residents. This can't be done all at once but with knowing the ins and outs of the city it would be more beneficial to help others on council to navigate on what is most important. Age: 64 Occupation: Retired U.S. Army officer, lawyer Education: Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California at San Diego; Juris Doctor degree from University of California Law School in San Francisco. Family: Married with four children; five grandchildren. Why are you running, and what specific qualities would make you an effective member of Erie City Council? I'm running to restore logic and reason to the City Council. The city faces enormous problems, from a declining population to an eroding tax base, and I will address these issues through collaboration with private enterprise and by seeking assistance from the various levels of government, as well as by leading the necessary reforms to city government, without which Erie truly cannot survive. I pledge to hold the line on new taxes of any form, from property taxes to the various fees and assessments city residents currently face. Crime remains a problem for the city, to the extent that residents do not feel safe even in their own neighborhoods. I will fight to put more cops on the street. Council as it stands now is divided into competing factions and is not working. I will be a voice for pure common sense on council. I possess the wisdom, education and experience to accomplish these goals. As the leader of the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Erie Bureau of Consumer Protection I protected literally thousands of citizens from the depredations of big corporations, and the skills and abilities in negotiation, compromise and standing my ground that I developed there will make me a formidable member of City Council. As the former chief public defender of Erie County, I defended the poor and oppressed, and I will bring the lessons I learned there to my time on council. I'm also a decorated veteran of deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia, and Guantanamo Bay. Despite all the challenges Erie faces, I remain optimistic that its best days are ahead if we change, starting today. Contact Kevin Flowers at kflowers@ Follow him on X at @ETNflowers. This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie City Council race: Meet the Democratic candidates
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Meet the four Republican candidates in the Erie City Council race
No Republican has been elected to Erie City Council since 1989, when Denise Robison won a seat on the seven-member panel. Four candidates on the ballot in the May 20 municipal election are trying to change that Yevet Anderson, Anita Fay, Tina Hiotis and Kimberly Hunter are seeking GOP nominations for City Council. There are four seats on the ballot so all four are virtually certain to move on to the Nov. 4 municipal election. Election coverage: Who are the candidates for city of Erie, county races in the May primary? Six Democrats, however, are in the race, including two incumbents — Jasmine Flores and Maurice Troop. Both were first elected in 2021 and are seeking their second four-year terms on the panel. Other Democrats in the race are Erie County Councilman Andre Horton, who cannot seek re-election to County Council because of county term limit rules; Deonte Cooley; Marilyn Pol, a former deputy city clerk; and Darrel Vandeveld. No Republican has served on City Council since John Evans, a CPA and certified financial planner, did so as an appointee between June 2012 and December 2013. Evans had been the first Republican to serve on City Council since Robison. That Democratic dominance is largely due to the more than 2-to-1 Democratic voter registration edge within city limits. Starting in 2024, City Council members saw their first salary increase since 1986. Council members who've served 12 months or less now earn $6,000 a year; the salary is $8,000 for members who have served between 12 and 24 months. Members who have served between 24 and 36 months receive $10,000 annually; those who've served 36 months or more earn $12,000 a year. Council's president receives an additional $2,000 a year. Here are the Republican candidates for City Council and their answers to the same question about the position. The Erie Times-News reserved the right to edit the candidates' answers for length and clarity. Age:73 Occupation: retired educator, business owner, event director/event coordinator Education: bachelor's degree Family: Widowed after 33 years of marriage; 12 foster children and over 500 'sports children' that I have coached in hockey nationwide Question: Why are you running, and what specific qualities would make you an effective member of Erie City Council? Answer: I'm not a politician even though I am running for Erie City Council. I am a third generation citizen of Erie and I love my hometown. My encounters throughout my life with Erie citizens have made me who I am. I am a volunteer, a mentor, and a developer of venues for our citizens of all ages throughout my years. I want to give back to my city for all it has done for me and my family. I see a need to bring Erie back to its greatness. Let's look at integrity and accountability and transparency in our government. Accountability of services that citizens pay for such as refuse services, streets and plowing, and street maintenance. City Council, Erie citizens, businesses, and services all need to work together as a team. I ask for your support in the upcoming election because I love this city and I want future generations to know it can be great again if we vote red in the upcoming election. Age: 59 Occupation: U.S. Postal Service employee Education: Civil service training Family: three children, six grandchildren Why are you running, and what specific qualities would make you an effective member of Erie City Council? Last year, I began volunteering during the presidential election, and through that experience, I saw firsthand how vital civic engagement is to the future of our communities. It was a turning point for me when I realized that if we want change, we need to step up and be part of the solution. That's why I made the decision to run for Erie City Council. My career as a Postmaster General and trainer placed me in a leadership role where I was responsible for implementing policies and ensuring employee performance met high standards. I plan to bring that same level of dedication and professionalism to the City Council, working collaboratively to deliver quality services while addressing the growing tax burden on our residents. Just as families are expected to live within their means, I believe the government should do the same. In over 60 years, only three Republican conservatives have been elected to the Erie city government. It's clear we need a new direction, and that starts with fresh leadership and a bold, responsible vision for the future. Age: 56 Occupation: Retired registered nurse; independent contracts/grants consultant; U.S. Army veteran Education: Hinds Community College, Associate degree in nursing; BSN to MSN in nursing from University of Southern Mississippi. Family: Married with three children; five grandchildren Why are you running, and what specific qualities would make you an effective member of Erie City Council? I decided to run for Erie City Council because, as a concerned citizen and taxpayer, I could no longer sit back and watch the city I chose to call home continue its decades-long decline. Despite Erie's potential, I've seen little sign of a true rebound. For over 60 years, one-party rule — specifically by Democrats — has held a stronghold on our city. The result? Poor decisions, missed opportunities, and leadership that's been recycled from one government position to another without real progress. I asked myself: If the same people who led us into this decline keep getting elected, how can we expect a different outcome? Erie doesn't need more recycled ideas from the same political machine. It needs new leadership, fresh energy, and the courage to try something different. I bring a track record of leadership and expertise in finance, budgeting, and policy creation. My experience helping companies of all sizes secure government contracts and grants has given me the skills to bring real, results-driven change to our city. Age: 57 Occupation: Retired Education: Studied at Mercyhurst University Family: Married with three children; two grandchildren Why are you running, and what specific qualities would make you an effective member of Erie City Council? One of the many reasons that I have decided to run for office is that we have a terrible divide right now with the two political parties, and even though I'm a Republican I feel that I can bring unity to the community. I'd like to be a voice of common sense for all voters. Many Republicans feel they have no voice, and I'd like to be their voice. I've had many careers over the years from retail management to working with our youth in the Erie public schools. I've also formed great connections with people in the federal government to help bring in the federal dollars we need to help with new infrastructure, to make Erie attractive for bigger businesses, and that also includes safe, clean, drivable roads at no additional cost to the already burdened taxpayers. By everyone working together towards one common goal no matter their party I believe Erie has a bright future ahead. Contact Kevin Flowers at kflowers@ Follow him on X at @ETNflowers. This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Four Republican candidates in Erie City Council race for primary
