Democrats Sweep Methacton School Director Races, Flip 2 Seats

LOWER PROVIDENCE, PA — A pair of incumbent Methacton Republican school directors were ousted in the election Tuesday night as Democrats swept all four open seats, following a trend set in several local races and major races nationwide.

Democrats Mary Hull, Jennifer Cancro, Elizabeth Drummond, and Ralph Navarrete were all victorious, earning between 13 and 14 percent of the vote each. Incumbents Herbert B. Rothe III and Brenda G. Hackett were ousted, while fellow Republicans Candy Allebach and Karen Vavra were unsuccessful in their bids.

A total of 28,077 votes for school director were cast. About 31 percent of registered voters hit the polls in the Methacton area Tuesday.

The Democrat sweep comes in the wake of a tumultuous election season which featured a strike by the teacher's union that led to several days of missed classes as the school board worked on a new contract. Ultimately the two sides conciliated before much time was lost. While it's not clear if the election Tuesday was strictly a referendum on how the board handled that strike, it is clear that locals desired something other than Republican leadership.

Hull, Cancro, Drummond, and Navarrete will join President Chris Boardman, Vice President Michael Ryan, Kim Aubrey-Larcinese, Andrea Rees, and Paul Winters on the board.

The school board leading up to Tuesday's election is pictured above: back row, left to right: Paul Winters, James W. Phillips, Superintendent Dr. David Zerbe, School Board Vice President Michael K Ryan, and School Board President Chris R. Boardman. Front row, left to right: Scott Dorn, Brenda G. Hackett, Herbert B. Rothe III, Andrea Rees, and Kim Aubrey-Larcinese.

Patch file photo