Joyce Ferguson Snyder.
In a township that’s been a Republican stronghold for decades, a Democrat has been voted into office for the first time since 1992.
Her name is Joyce Ferguson Snyder, and she narrowly defeated incumbent Republican Daniel Bell for the position, garnering 2,752 votes to Bell’s 2,737 votes. For the first time in its history, three women will now be a part of the board of supervisors.
Snyder, and newly elected Republican Supervisor Kristin Warner, will join incumbent Republican and board Assistant Secretary/Treasurer Laura Smith to lead Towamencin Township alongside incumbent Republicans Chuck Wilson, who chairs the board, and Richard Marino, who serves as secretary.
“I do believe having a majority female board is historic in Towamencin,” Snyder said. “I can't speak yet to how my gender will affect my votes, but I do believe that having diversity in government is always a benefit, whether the diversity is socioeconomic, gender, sexuality or other.”
Snyder said she is looking forward to working with the administration and neighbors to have Towamencin be more proactive, particularly around environmental issues.
“I am hoping I can bring a fresh perspective to the Board,” Snyder said. “While I am sure there will be times that I will disagree with my fellow board members, I am hoping we can all work together to the benefit of Towamencin.”
Bell, the current treasurer of the board, was appointed by the board on May 27, 2020, to fill the vacancy left by the death of Jim Sinz, who had served as supervisor since 2004. Bell had previously run unsuccessfully for the North Penn School Board in 2019.
Bell said he was incredibly grateful for the support of his family, friends, and township community throughout the last 18 months.
“It has been a tremendous honor to serve Towamencin on the board, and I hope that the new supervisors will prioritize collaboration and cooperation to ensure that Towamencin remains a great place to live, work and raise a family,” Bell said. “I’m excited to remain engaged and supportive of all the outstanding work that our township has coming up.”
Warner, who received 2,770 votes, replaces longtime Republican and current board Vice Chairman Dan Littley, who did not seek re-election. Democrat Steve Kulp, whose father-in-law is North Penn School Board Director Al Roesch, received the lowest number of votes in the race for two open seats on the board of supervisors, with a tally of 2,654.
“I have big shoes to fill replacing Dan. He's given our Township many good years,” Warner said. “The depth of his knowledge and experience is a high bar. I know I'll be asking for his and the other supervisors and committeepersons guidance as I learn the ropes.”
Warner has lived in Towamencin for almost 25 years and raised three children through North Penn High School, who also participated in many township sports and activities. Warner and her husband have coached, organized, and volunteered through it all, she said.
“I consider this new position a continuation of volunteerism,” Warner said. “I'm excited to have the opportunity to work with and for the many great people in my community. I have a lot to learn and will give it my best effort. I've attended many committee and township meetings through this process in an attempt to understand the synergy. I look forward to being part of the team.”
Warner said Towamencin has immense talent working on its behalf already in place. She hoped to continue the excellent work done before her to protect and enhance township open spaces and support its youth sports and activities.
“I hope to help usher in improvements in our road congestion and see our strip centers filled and flourishing once again. I'm excited to have a role in making the Veterans Park a reality,” she said.
Towamencin supervisors serve six-year terms, with elections taking place in odd-numbered years and staggered so that two seats show up on the ballot every two years. There is a sixth year in the cycle, when one seat comes up for election. In 2001, one Democrat, Frank Senk, and five Republicans ran for the board of supervisors.
In a township that has leaned Republican for decades, the number of registered Democrats has surpassed the number of registered Republicans in Towamencin, at 5,625 and 5,445, respectively, according to Montgomery County Voter Services records. There are 1,307 registered as “No Affiliation” in Towamencin and 449 registered as “Non-Partisan.” Independents account for 152 voters in Towamencin, while there are five registered as “Independant” (sic) and one registered as “Independence,” per county records.
Snyder may be the first Democrat elected to a lawmaking position in Towamencin in nearly 30 years, but she was not the only successful Democrat on the Towamencin Township ballot. Melissa Fusco, wife of Towamencin Democrats Chairman and North Penn School District Vice President Christian Fusco, who unofficially won re-election to the school board, received 2,844 votes to replace Republican Joseph Gibbons as township auditor. Gibbons unofficially received 2,737 votes.
Montgomery County will officially certify the election next week.
See also:
Election Update: Levine Wins Reelection Over Hanrahan for District Judge
Election Update: All 4 Incumbent Dems Now Leading North Penn School Board Race
North Penn School Board Candidate Debate Scheduled for Monday, Open to Public
Editorial: In Defense of Civility and Public Service
