2019 Election Preview: Chester County Commissioners Race

CHESTER COUNTY, PA — In many ways, the Chester County Commissioners race could serve as a bellwether for the political future of the county.

Democrats won sweeping, and in some cases historic victories in the county during 2018's midterm elections, flipping state legislative seats that had long been Republican — and in some cases, had always been Republican.

It remains to be seen if this "Blue Wave" of left victories is anything sustainable for local Democrats, or if they were merely riding the tide of a national reaction to President Trump.

The Commissioners race will pit two experienced incumbent Republicans, Terence Farrell and Michelle Kichline, against a pair of Democratic newcomers: local education and nonprofit leader Marian Moskowitz, and Downingtown's 34-year-old mayor Josh Maxwell.

There are three County Commissioner seats, so one Democrat is guaranteed to win; the most intriguing question is if it's possible for the Democrats to gain a 2-1 majority, thereby ousting one of their long-serving opponents.

Moskowitz and Maxwell unseated the incumbent Democratic Commissioner, Kathi Cozzone, in the May primary.

Key issues are wide-ranging and depend on the candidate. All have expressed concern over Sunoco and the government's role in handling pipeline safety violations. Issues like the opioid crisis, redevelopment and overdevelopment, and job growth all remain at the forefront.

Here's a glance at the candidates you'll see on the ballot come Nov. 5:

Michelle Kichline

Party: Republican

Status: Incumbent, since 2014

Hometown: Berwyn

Education: Conestoga High School, University of Pennsylvania (B.A., political science), Temple University (J.D.)

Experience: Tredyffrin Township Zoning Hearing Board chair, 2007; Tredyffrin Township Supervisor, 2010-2013; Chester County Commissioner, 2014-2019

• Championed Paoli transit project, helping obtain $30 million in funding for initial phase

Terence Farrell

Party: Republican

Status: Incumbent, since 2008

Hometown: West Chester

Education: Carleton College (B.A., English), Indiana University (graduate certificates in Public Administration and Public Personnel Administration)

Experience: Licensed realtor, Presidential Rank Awards Panel, Chester County Recorder of Deeds (two terms), Chairman of the Board of the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, board member for the Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School

• Aims to increase efficiency in county operations; helped pass a balanced budget without tax increases

Josh Maxwell

Party: Democrat

Status: Challenger

Hometown: Downingtown

Education: Downingtown High School, West Chester University (B.A.), University of Pennsylvania (M.P.A.)

Experience: Mayor of Downingtown, international USAID contractor

• Helped negotiate $224 million transit-oriented development plan in Downingtown

Marian Moskowitz

Party: Democrat

Status: Challenger

Hometown: Tredyffrin

Education: Neumann University (B.A.)

Experience: Board member at West Chester University, president of the board of the directors at the Colonial Theater in Phoenixville, Board of Governors for the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education

• Helped convert abandoned space into Franklin Commons in Phoenixville