Everything you need to know about the North Penn area May 20 Primary Election

The Primary Election is upon us.

May 20 marks the day where residents will go to the polls to make their voices heard.

There are many different officials up for re-election or first-time residents on the ballot hoping to make a difference in their communities.

Democrats and Republicans alike will head out to various polling locations to make their selections, all of which can be found below.

There are many resources available if you are unsure of where your polling place is, how late the polling places stay open, who can actually vote, etc.

To find out if you are a registered voter, click here.

To locate your district, click here.

Your election ballot status can be found here.

To find your polling place, simply enter your address in this form.

For absentee ballot information, click here.

For mail-in ballot information, click here.

Here is who is running for different elected positions this election:

NORTH PENN SCHOOL DISTRICT

At least three new faces will join the North Penn School Board in 2026, as a trio of two-term incumbents are not running again.

Incumbent Democrat Al Roesch is joined on the “North Penn Neighbors for Progress” team by newcomers Christine Coyne, Koh Chiba and Ken Keiser. Democrats Tina Stoll, Christian Fusco and Jonathan Kassa, all first elected with Roesch in 2017 and reelected in 2021, will not be on the ballot this year.

Opposing that group will be the “North Penn United” team of Jeff Eshleman, Michael Jowder, Yanni Lambros and Thomas Moyer. Jowder ran unsuccessfully for a seat on the board in 2023 and Lambros has previously run for a seat on Lansdale borough council in 2021 and 2023.

Seven of the eight candidates have cross-filed and will appear on both Democratic and Republican ballots in the May 20 primary; Jowder will appear on only the Republican ballot, according to election information provided by Montgomery County. The top four vote totals on each side of the ballot will then face off in the Nov. 4 general election.

Read about the “Neighbors for Progress” team here.

Read about the “North Penn United” team here.

SOUDERTON AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

Two four-member teams are vying for four seats on the Souderton Area School Board in the November general election.

The “Keep Souderton Strong” team includes Republican incumbents Janet Flisak, Stephen Nelson and Andrew Landis as well as newcomer Steve Long. The “Souderton Area for Responsible Leadership” team consists of challengers Corinne DeGeiso, Alexandra Wisser, Rosemary Buetikofer and Andrew Souchet. All candidates cross-filed, with the exception of Nelson.

Read about the Souderton Area School Board candidates here.

PENNRIDGE SCHOOL DISTRICT

In the Pennridge School District, eight candidates are vying for four open spots on the school board.

The Pennridge Democrats have endorsed newcomers Carly Taylor, Thomas Trauger, Dan Bebernitz and Nathaniel Leffever. Pennridge Republicans have endorsed former Republican board member Jonathan Russell as well as newcomers Michael Bongiovanni, Brian McMullen and Daniel Mainieri.

The Democratic-endorsed candidates and Mainieri cross-filed, while the remaining Republican-endorsed candidates are running on the Republican ballot.

Read about the candidates here.

LANSDALE BOROUGH COUNCIL

Two familiar names will be on the May 20 primary ballot for the position of Lansdale mayor.

Current councilwoman Rachael Bollens and two-time former councilman Bill Henning are facing off in the Democrat primary, for the right to face Republican Greg Gilrain in November. Current Democrat mayor Garry Herbert has filed to run for one of two council seats on the ballot for the borough’s Ward 1, according to information provided by Montgomery County. Henning had served on council in 2009 and again from 2018 through 2021, while Bollens was elected in ’21 to her first four-year council term.

Incumbents seeking re-election have no primary competition.

Read about the Mayoral candidates here.

TOWAMENCIN TOWNSHIP

Voters in Towamencin will have plenty of choices to make this year, with the first round of decisions coming on May 20.

Republican voters will see a total of four candidates on their primary election ballot, running for two six-year terms on the township’s board of supervisors. One of those two seats has been held by Republican Chuck Wilson since 2002, and the other was held by now-former supervisor Laura Smith from 2014 until her resignation in February.

Wilson, Christina Eppolito, Angela Illingworth, and Donald Litman are all facing off in the primary election, and the two who win the most votes in the primary will advance to the general election and square off against Democrats Vanessa Gaynor and Courtney Morgan on November 4.

Read about the Towamencin Township candidates here.

MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP

There are two open seats that carry a 6-year term in Montgomery Township this election year, with incumbent Democrats Annette M. Long and Beth Staab seeking re-election. However, Democrat Eric Pelletier has thrown his hat in the ring for supervisor as well.

Staab and Pelletier – chair and secretary of the township Democratic Committee, respecrtively – received the endorsements from the Montgomery Township Democratic Committee, while Long did not.

This means, the two with the highest number of votes among the three Democrats will head to the General Election to contend against Republicans Steve Fedele and John Dale.

Staab was not part of the endorsement committee. She said both Eric and herself assumed their positions due to the sudden departures by theirr predecessors: Staab stepped in mid-term upon the death of Chairwoman Kim Day, who succumbed to cancer in late November 2023. I stepped in to cover the need mid-term. 

"Both Eric and I are committed to finishing this term as Chair and Secretary. We’re constantly recruiting for vacancies and encouraging involvement within our committee and looking to share the responsibilities. Succession planning is a top priority. Our next MTDC election is in 2026, following the gubernatorial Primary," Staab said.

"The Montgomery Township Democratic Committee (MTDC) took the endorsement process seriously by formulating and approving an official endorsement process as a derivative of the recently approved county endorsement process. Each of the four candidates for Supervisor were thoroughly vetted through a formal interview conducted by the entire committee (of 14 members). Thoughtful questions were asked, qualifications were reviewed, and each candidate’s alignment with Democratic values and commitment to serving the community were carefully considered in an evaluation including a rubric that was fair and unbiased," said Committee Vice Chair Supervisor Tanya Bamford. "The outcome was discussed and then voted on by our Committee People with the top two candidates emerging as the endorsed candidates."

LONG

What qualifications or experiences do you have that would lend well to the role?

I grew up in Philadelphia but have called Montgomery County home since 1985. My three children graduated from North Penn High School and now serve in public education and law enforcement.

I am currently in my sixth year as Township Supervisor. As an incumbent in good standing, I have consistently attended meetings and diligently made decisions for the Township.

My years working in the legal field, along with my graduation from the Drexel University Kline School of Law, have equipped me with critical thinking and analytical skills essential for the role of Supervisor. I have demonstrated leadership and teamwork throughout my legal career, including my service on the Montgomery Township Board of Supervisors, the Montgomery County Democratic Women’s Leadership Initiative, as a Trustee of the Montgomery Bar Association, and as President of the Montgomery County Paralegal Association.

Finances play a significant role in decision-making for the Township. My personal and professional experience as a Financial Administrator for a non-profit organization, along with my role as Office Manager for several past employers, has provided me with valuable experience in managing budgets, balance sheets, income statements, and other financial reports.

I am proud to be the only Spanish-speaking elected official of Puerto Rican heritage in the North Penn Area. My ability to listen attentively and communicate effectively in both English and Spanish adds significant value to the Supervisor position.

Why do you want this position?

I am committed to continuing my service in this position due to my dedication as a public servant, distinct from the role of an elected official. There is a significant difference between the two. Some individuals genuinely wish to engage with and understand the needs of our community; these are the true public servants. Conversely, others may leverage local elected offices as a stepping stone in their political careers, often lacking a genuine desire to serve the residents who elected them. I advocate for a government that is transparent, sensible, and fiscally responsible. We all share a responsibility to care for our community, support those less fortunate, eliminate biases, and enhance our world. Supervisors must make fair and unbiased decisions, treating residents with respect and prioritizing the best interests of our township. I approach the challenges facing our Township with a legal and thoughtful mindset, viewing it as an honor to serve my community.

What are the major focal points of your campaign?

Fiscal responsibility is a top priority for our Township. I recognize the necessity of establishing a full-time, paid Fire Department and the challenging decisions that lie ahead. We must remain dedicated to ensuring that our police and fire departments are equipped with the resources required to safeguard our Township residents and businesses, while also being conscious of the need to cut costs, secure additional grant funding, and eliminate superfluous expenses.

I am devoted to fostering an open dialogue with our residents. I believe that effective communication and engagement with our community are essential. We must ensure that the decisions made on behalf of our residents truly reflect the best interests of the many, rather than the few. It is crucial to address residents' concerns, whether in one-on-one conversations or during public meetings, with the utmost respect and understanding. We must carefully consider the issues at hand and ultimately make the best decisions based on the comprehensive information we gather from our residents, Township staff, and experts. While some decisions may be straightforward, others can be more complex. Regardless, it is the Supervisor’s duty to ensure that every decision is informed by the full scope of available information.

What do you hope to accomplish in the role?

I am seeking re-election to continue the valuable work initiated in representing all residents of Montgomery Township fairly, irrespective of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or ability. Serving my community with honesty and integrity is paramount to me. Having previously held this position, I possess a deep understanding of the current and future challenges facing Montgomery Township. Decisions must prioritize the best interests of the Township as a whole, steering clear of backroom deals and empty political promises.

I aspire to see more community members from diverse backgrounds engage with our local government. To facilitate this, I will encourage active participation in our public meetings and committees. Acknowledging and honoring the many cultures that call Montgomery Township home is a top priority.

Moreover, we must ensure that the Township's social media platforms serve as valuable resources for our community. By inviting the public to contribute to our efforts in prioritizing Montgomery Township through participation in public meetings, committees, and community events, we can foster an effective and efficient township. Our goal is excellence for Montgomery Township. The Board of Supervisors relies on the commitment of our Township Manager, Department Heads, professional consultants, paid staff, and volunteers to collectively prioritize the needs of Montgomery Township.

STAAB

What qualifications or experiences do you have that would lend well to the role?

As the endorsed incumbent, I bring more than five years of experience serving on the Board of Supervisors, where I’ve worked hard to listen to residents, lead with integrity, and deliver results. In addition to my public service, I have decades of professional experience and community involvement. My background in sales, communications, marketing, and FDA compliance at Merck has equipped me with skills in strategic planning, budgeting, and collaborative problem-solving. I’ve also been a dedicated volunteer with North Penn Schools, Mitzvah Circle, Trinity Lutheran, the Montgomery Township Historical Society, and our Environmental Advisory Committee. In these roles, I’ve connected with and listened to others to better understand and address issues impacting our diverse community.

Why do you want this position?

As a 28-year resident, I care deeply about Montgomery Township and its future. I believe effective leadership means being responsive, transparent, and putting residents first. I want to serve another term so that I can continue my work to protect the environment, support thoughtful economic development, and preserve the quality of life that makes our township such a wonderful place to live, work, and recreate.

What are the major focal points of your campaign?

My campaign is focused on responsible growth, public safety, fiscal responsibility, and community engagement. Montgomery Township is largely built out, so moving forward our focus needs to be on thoughtful redevelopment—particularly of aging or underused commercial areas. I’ve been a strong advocate for the Montgomery Mall and its merchants, helping them navigate zoning/permitting processes and facilitating collaboration between mall management and Township leadership. I’ll continue to support efforts that revitalize our commercial corridors while preserving the character of our residential neighborhoods. Maintaining infrastructure, protecting our environment, investing in roads, sidewalks, parks, and trails, and keeping public safety a top priority—while keeping taxes in check—will remain central to my work.

What do you hope to accomplish in the role?

I aim to be a strong advocate for residents’ concerns by pursuing practical solutions to traffic and speeding. I want to improve how we communicate our long-term planning efforts and create a more inclusive environment where everyone feels heard and valued. Ultimately, my goal is to help shape a Montgomery Township that remains vibrant, sustainable, safe, and welcoming for generations to come.

PELLETIER

What qualifications or experiences do you have that would lend well to the role?

I’ve lived in Montgomery Township for 21 years and currently serve on the Board of Auditors, where I help ensure fiscal accountability for the Township. I previously served as Faculty Senate President at Saint Joseph’s University, where I led over 400 faculty members in a role that demanded strategic leadership, collaboration, and sound judgment. I’ve also been an active volunteer in the township, particularly through youth sports, where I’ve coached and served in leadership roles. These experiences have strengthened my abilities to bring people together, find common ground, and focus on solutions that move things forward—skills I’m committed to applying as Supervisor on behalf of the entire community.

Why do you want this position?

I'm honored to be running for Township Supervisor as an Endorsed Democratic Candidate. I believe our community deserves thoughtful, transparent leadership that listens to residents and manages resources responsibly. With my background in public service and long-standing commitment to our township, I bring a balanced, forward-thinking approach to the challenges and opportunities we face. I want to ensure Montgomery Township remains a place where families, businesses, and individuals thrive.

What are the major focal points of your campaign?

My campaign will focus on transparent governance, fiscal responsibility, and community-driven decision-making. I believe in planning strategically for the future—especially when it comes to infrastructure, open space, and redevelopment. I’ll advocate for policies that promote smart growth, enhance public services, and foster a more connected and engaged community. Collaboration—with residents, staff and fellow leaders—will be central to everything I do.

What do you hope to accomplish in the role?

As Township Supervisor, I aim to strengthen financial oversight, improve infrastructure planning, and increase meaningful public engagement in decision-making. I want to foster responsible economic development that reflects our community’s character and priorities, and to advance sustainability practices that protect our environment for future generations. I’ve already been attending Board of Supervisors meetings regularly to stay informed and engaged, because I believe leadership begins with showing up. Most of all, I hope to build trust by being present, accessible, and responsive to the needs of my neighbors. I'd be honored to earn your vote in the Democratic Primary.