Former longtime Lakota board member running for West Chester trustee

Joan Powell, a former Lakota Board of Education member of 16 years, is running for West Chester Twp. trustee against incumbents Lee Wong and Mark Welch, and newcomer Mariann Penska, pending the election board’s Aug. 21 certification vote.

Wong is the only candidate in that race at this time certified on November’s ballot.

Powell said she waited until Wednesday — the last day to file for November’s election — “in part” because she was still making up her mind, and “getting my ducks in a row.”

“I didn’t feel like there was any advantage for me to file early,” said Powell, who had never filed late in her four successful bids for Lakota school board. “I had never done this at the very last minute, but never planned to run for this office.”

MORE: Butler County’s November ballot shaping up to have few contested races

Butler County Board of Elections Deputy Director Jocelyn Bucaro said for some it’s a late decision to jump into a race, and others it’s strategic.

More than 50 candidates for office in Butler County filed petitions for office since Aug. 1, and nearly half — 25 — were filed on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week.

The Butler County Board of Elections must now review all candidate petitions for certification. The board will vote on certification at its Aug. 21 meeting.

About the Author