Clerk of Courts Office Battle Looms in General Election

Longtime Washington County Clerk of Courts Barbara Gibbs will face off against a Republican challenger in the general election.

Gibbs, a Democrat, appears on the ballot alongside challenger Marcus Mercante Staley, 31, of North Strabane Township.

Staley who is a behavioral specialist consultant and mental health specialist, said he is running for the county position to help add fresh blood and a new perspective in the office.

“For 28 years the office has been held and run by the same person. You have to question whether a person has become complacent. If you can’t lose your job, then how well will you do it?” he asked. “For the first time in 28 years the voters are finally going to have a choice—a qualified candidate— in the general election.

Staley said degrees in social science, political science and applied criminal justice coupled with his supervisory experience will help him effectively lead the office, and said that if elected he would put a stop to the “group-think mentality” while instituting “new innovations.”

He said one of his goals would be to make the office more efficient and user friendly.

Gibbs did not return messages seeking comment for the story.