WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — A Lehigh County judge on Tuesday will hear a challenge to a candidate's nomination petitions for a seat on the Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners.
Republican candidate LoriAnn Fehnel filed the challenge on March 14 against fellow Republican candidate Betsey H. Charles, based on alleged deficiencies on the latter’s petition.
A hearing on the challenge will be at 10 a.m. before county Judge Michele A. Varricchio in Courtroom 1B of the Lehigh County Courthouse.
Fehnel is challenging Charles’ petition in three areas:
- Failure to complete three Line Block requirements on the statement of financial interests form that addresses a candidate’s business/financial interests
- Failure to file the statement of financial interests with the Whitehall Township secretary
- The signature of Brian Charles, her husband, renders her petition invalid since he is not a registered Republican in the township.
Arguments to toss petition
Each candidate’s petition is required to have at least 10 registered voters of their political party; vacating Brian Charles’ signature would leave the petition one signature short of the state statute.
"Because she didn't complete the election form as it needs to be, her petition becomes invalid."Whitehall Township commissioner candidate Fehnel's challenge against candidate Betsey H. Charles
"Because she didn't complete the election form as it needs to be, her petition becomes invalid," Fehnel said.
Charles also failed to sign her own petition, Fehnel said.
Fehnel is running for township commissioner for a third time. Her bids were not successful in the past.
She also is running for a second time for a seat on the Whitehall-Coplay School Board. She was previously not elected.
March 7 was the final day to submit a petition.
March 14 was the final day to file a nominating petition.
Three seats on the board of commissioners expire in 2025.
The municipal primary election is May 16.
