WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — Republican Tina Jo Koren and Democrat Joseph Marx appear ready to face off in November for the office of Whitehall Township mayor.
The two appeared to have won their parties' nomination, according to complete but unofficial vote totals.
- Republican Tina Koren and Democrat Joseph Marx appeared to have won their parties' primaries for Whitehall mayor
- There is tension between them, with Koren alleging that Marx has tried to eliminate her previous job as treasurer/tax collector for the township
- Current Mayor Michael Harakal Jr. withdrew his candidacy for re-election after sexual harassment allegations and a related lawsuit, also citing deaths in his family
“I am so thankful, and blessed to all the voters who supported me,” Koren said.
Marx, reached before final vote totals were in, said he didn't want to fully declare victory, but said, “I think it’s clear who the winner is here.”
“I felt good today at the polls,” Koren said. “It seemed like the turnout was awful but I felt good at the polls."
Regarding voters, she said, "It seemed like they knew about the referendum question, it seemed like they knew about things that were going on in the township because they had a lot of questions, so I feel confident — but we’ll see.”
The referendum to which Koren referred is whether her current job as the township's elected treasurer/tax collector was in jeopardy. She said she thought it was for political reasons.
Koren said Marx, who currently is president of the Whitehall Board of Commissioners, was instrumental in lobbying for the elimination of her position.
Marx, before the county indicated his victory, said he was “physically and mentally exhausted,” but feeling hopeful and satisfied with the work he’s done.
“I mean, you know, it is what it is,” Marx said. “You don't have any control over it. I worked my butt off. You know, I did everything that I thought I could possibly do. And I'm hoping for a positive outcome.”
Other candidates
Apparently falling short in the race were Democrats Mike Cocca and Republicans John Hersh.
Watching the results roll in at the Keystone Pub & Grill in Whitehall, Cocca sat with family and friends, all wearing campaign badges on their shirts after a long day of campaigning, then taking down lawn signs.
“I’m exhausted,” Cocca said. “I’ve been on my feet all day, it’s next-level exhausting. When you have to be ‘on’ all day, it’s being the best version of you. But when you’re the best version of you for 13 hours, it just — it can grind on you. I’m happy it’s over.”
Cocca said that if he lost, “the sun will still come up tomorrow, we’ll take my daughter to her preschool interview, that’ll be the first half of my day, then I’ll go to work.”
Behind the scenes, it's been a tumultuous couple of years for the township.
Current Mayor Michael Harakal Jr. was given a vote of no-confidence, after a lawsuit filed by his former staffersalleged sexual harassment.
Harakal originally planned to run for re-election, but withdrew from the race, citing family reasons. The family reasons, he said, were not limited to the lawsuit — but include two deaths in the immediate family.
Regarding the lawsuit and allegations of misconduct, he maintains his innocence.
