Election coverage

Local incumbents keep positions
By Heather Tassmer
News Editor

Change was the focus of this year’s national elections.
It was a change that took the form of an increased Democratic majority in Washington and the election of a new administration under the nation’s first African- American President, U.S. Sen. Barack Obama.
People around the United States and around the world were shown on national television rejoicing over Obama’s win.
But for the local state representative and Congress races, the incumbents kept their seats, according to unofficial results.
U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach (R-6,) Rep. Samuel Rohrer (R-128,) David Kessler (D-130) and State Sen. Michael O’Pake (D-11) had triumphs over their opponents.
State Rep. Dante Santoni (D-126) ran unopposed.
In Birdsboro, residents showed up early, eager to get their votes in, said Edie Ellison, judge of elections at the borough hall located on Main Street.
Voters were lined up at about 6:30 a.m., a half hour before the polls opened, Ellison said.
“I’ve never seen it this busy before,” she said, adding that she has helped out with elections for about 20 years.
She said there was a little bit of a break around 8:30 a.m.
The borough hall location was a new precinct, Ellison said. In past years, some voters would be assigned to the Alice Focht Memorial United Methodist Church but the borough hall provides more parking spaces.
One of the voters said he had his mind made up before he had come to the polls.
“I voted for the Obama Biden ticket because the current administration hasn’t done a good job,” said James Lyles of Birdsboro. “I want to change up the status quo.”
Lyles said he was concerned about McCain’s age and described the possibility of Palin becoming president as “unsettling.” He also voted Democratic for the District 130 State Representative Race.
“Dave Kessler has done great work for the community,” Lyles said. “He’s been very favorable in helping out the (Boone Area) Library. (Richard) Gokey was not as willing to help out the library and that didn’t sit well with me.”
Mildred Leinbach of Birdsboro wasn’t satisfied with either presidential candidate.
“I don’t think either one has the makings of a president,” she said. Although, she said she was happy that there was a women vice presidential running mate.
“But I’m not sure if she was qualified,” Leinbach added.
Leinbach voted for the incumbents for the state representative, state senator race and congressional race.
“I think (Michael) O’Pake, (Jim) Gerlach and (David) Kessler have proved themselves,” she said.

For more election coverage, read this week's Southern Berks News.