Tuesday’s primary election in Venango County brought notable changes as two incumbents — Cranberry Township Supervisor Matt McSparren and Sugarcreek Mayor Matt Carlson — lost their Republican nominations. In Cranberry, Wayne Hepler won the GOP supervisor nomination, while Craig Westover defeated Carlson for Sugarcreek mayor. Democratic write-in votes in both races could still introduce challengers in November. Carlson narrowly led in a Sugarcreek council race and could face Democrat John Barger in the fall. Other contested township races included supervisor and tax collector posts in Sandycreek, Rockland, Oilcreek, Pinegrove, and Cornplanter. Many municipal races across the county were uncontested or had no candidates listed, leaving room for potential write-in winners to appear on the general election ballot.
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