O'Neill Wins Warminster District Justice Race: Unofficial Results

WARMINSTER, PA —There's a winner to replace the retiring Daniel J. Finello Jr., who has served Warminster and Ivyland since 2003. Meanwhile, a Democrat will join the Warminster Township Board of Supervisors.

Republican Chris O'Neill edged Democrat Todd Savarese in the race for Magisterial District Judge 07-1-09 based on unofficial results from Tuesday's general election.

With 100 percent of Bucks County's 306 precincts reporting, O'Neill received 5,446 votes to 5,051 for Savarese, an Ivyland councilman and attorney.

O'Neill has served more than 25 years as a Warminster Township Police Officer, currently as a corporal. He has also served as a K9 officer and unit supervisor.

"I have personally appeared before a District Judge over 1,000 times for citation hearings, preliminary hearings, preliminary arraignments, and applying for search warrants. I have also completed the Minor Judiciary Education Board program and I am certified/qualified to perform the duties of a District Judge,"O'Neill told Patch in his election profile. "My ability to speak with people and relate to their everyday issues will help me be a fair and open-minded District Judge. The experience and knowledge that I will bring to the court will be of the greatest value and difficult to duplicate.

Meanwhile, Democrat Chuck Heybach defeated Republican Robert J. Guarini for a seat on the Warminster Township Board of Supervisors, replacing longtime Supervisor Mark McKee, who decided not to seek re-election.

Heybach received 5,141 votes to 4,931 votes for Guarini.

In other township races, Democrat Jayne T. Taylor defeated Republican Savannah L. Heidrick for a six-year term as township auditor. Taylor received 4,993 votes to 4,982 votes for Heidrick.

Voter turnout in Bucks County was 42.4 percent.