Vote count affirms Ammann’s advantage

MERCER, Pa. — Kenneth Ammann, former Mercer County chief clerk, has maintained his vote advantage over his nearest rival in the county commissioners’ race, assuring his place on the November ballot.

He had declined to declare victory until the counting of absentee ballots, which was completed Friday.

New results show Ammann with 3,382 votes versus 3,310 for Timothy Templeton, his nearest rival. Ammann’s 72-vote lead dropped to 71 votes with the addition of the absentees.

Ammann and incumbent Brian Beader will be the Democratic candidates for commissioner in the fall while Lewis McEwen and John Lechner will be the Republican candidates for the three county commissioner seats.