Burick, Craig lead the pack for Lawrence commission; Noga wins coroner's nod

Russell S. Noga received the Democratic nomination for coroner.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Lawrence County residents will choose between two incumbents and two new candidates this fall when voting for county commissioner.
Incumbent Brian Burick was the top vote-getter in the 11-person race for the Democratic nomination for county commissioner with 17.5 percent of the vote.
"I just focused on presenting my record and accomplishments to the voters," said Burick, who is in his second four-year term as county commissioner.
Burick said he plans to continue that work during the summer months to gear up for the general election.
Steve Craig, the county's former planning director, got 16.6 percent of the vote and will receive the second Democratic nomination. Craig could not be reached to comment.
The two Republicans running in the Primary Election were assured seats.
Dan Vogler, a Neshannock Township supervisor, was the top vote-getter on the Republican ticket getting 57.7 percent of the vote.
Ed Fosnaught, the incumbent Republican county commissioner, garnered 42 percent of the Republican vote.
Burick and Fosnaught will each be seeking a third term in office this fall.
Coroner
Also in Lawrence County, acting coroner Russell S. Noga received 56 percent of the vote on the Democratic ticket.
His opponent, Roger M. DeCarbo Jr. , got 43 percent.
"We tried to run a clean campaign. I feel that we informed the voters of my qualifications and experience and I think that speaks for itself," Noga said.
DeCarbo said he ran an aggressive campaign, but couldn't pull out the nomination.
Both candidates said they sought the Republican write-in vote. Those results will not be known for another few weeks.