County of Bucks (Credit: LevittownNow)
Democrats have secured control of all nine Bucks County row offices for the first time in recent history after a sweep of the five open seats in Tuesday’s election, according to unofficial results.
The victory means the Democratic Party will hold every row office seat come January, adding five wins to the four offices already under their control.
Candidates declared victory before midnight at the county Democrats’ election night party in Newtown Township as preliminary vote counting neared completion.
Democrat Joe Khan defeated incumbent GOP District Attorney Jennifer Schorn.
The district attorney is the county’s top law enforcement official, overseeing the prosecution of criminal cases, a team of prosecutors, support staff, victim support staff, and the Bucks County Detectives.
Democrat Danny Ceisler won over incumbent Republican Sheriff Fred Harran.
The sheriff’s responsibilities include serving warrants, making arrests, transporting prisoners to and from the Court of Common Pleas, handling civil matters, overseeing sheriff’s sales, and maintaining peace.
Democrat Donna Petrecco bested incumbent Republican Bucks County Prothonotary Coleen Christian.
The prothonotary serves as the chief clerk for civil court matters in the county, involved in district court appeals, custody matters, divorces, liens, and the protection from abuse process.
Democrat Robin Robinson, who previously held the seat, defeated incumbent Republican Dan McPhillips.
The Recorder of Deeds office records and keeps records for all real estate documents, military discharge documents, public commissioners, and notary services.
Democrat Neale Dougherty, a former officeholder, knocked out Republican Controller Pamela Van Blunk.
The controller serves as the county government’s fiscal watchdog, overseeing spending and other internal processes, and is able to conduct investigations into matters relating to county funds.
Bucks County Register of Wills Linda Bobrin, a Democrat, will be replaced when she resigned. She won a seat as a Bucks County Court of Common Pleas judge.
The Register of Wills oversees estates for the deceased, probating wills, filing documents, and issuing marriage licenses.
The Democrats sweeping win marks the first time in recent history that the party controls all of the row office.
Amid Republican defeats in recent years, the GOP were able to hold and even retake some row offices.
The term row offices dates back centuries because the offices were historically located in a row in government buildings.
