2 Republican challengers leading incumbent in GOP primary race for Fawn supervisors

The three Republican candidates for Fawn’s board of supervisors were separated by just 20 votes as of Wednesday, with two GOP nominations up for grabs, according to unofficial primary election results.

The unofficial tally shows challenger Daniel Selfridge Jr. as the top vote-getter with 123 votes, or 30.2% of the votes counted, followed by challenger Paula Legge with 118 votes (29%) and incumbent David Montanari with 103 votes (25.3%).

“I have never been in this tight of a race and was surprised that this race is so tight,” said Montanari, who is seeking a fifth term. “But it’s a good thing that there is that much interest in local politics.”

Neither Selfridge nor Legge declared victory.

“The people have spoken, but there’s a chance for the winners to change,” Selfridge said.

Added Legge: “It is hard to say something until it is made official.”

This was Selfridge’s first run for office.

Seldridge, 63, is the longtime chief of the Fawn Volunteer Fire Dept. No. 1. By trade, he’s a painting contractor.

He decided to run after he was confronted by residents wanting change in the township.

“They are not happy with what is going on here,” Seldridge said.

He teamed up with Legge for the campaign to install new leadership, Seldridge said.

Lack of transparency and operations of the township are the main issues, he said.

In addition to Montanari’s seat, the seat held by Democrat David Norris was also up for grabs. Norris withdrew from the Democratic primary before a challenge to his candidacy could be heard. The challenge claimed there were problems with Norris’ nominating petition and that he lives in Florida.

No candidates appeared on the Democratic ballot, but 141 write-in votes were cast. Those results were not available.