Former Westmoreland commissioner Kopas seeks return to office

Former Westmoreland County commissioner Ted Kopas is vying yet again to have a seat at the table.

Kopas announced Monday he will campaign for the Democratic nomination for county commissioner on the May primary ballot. Kopas previously served as a commissioner between 2010 and 2020, but was ousted from the position in the November 2019 election.

In a news release announcing his campaign, Kopas highlighted his experience and goals while casting the current commissioners in a negative light.

“It is truly unfortunate and disappointing that our current county commissioners have not lived up to the ideals our residents expect,” the Hempfield resident said. “It is time for a change.”

Currently, Republicans Sean Kertes and Douglas Chew and Democrat Gina Cerilli Thrasher sit on the three-member board. Kertes and Chew were elected in 2019, while Thrasher was first elected in 2015.

Kopas pledged that, if elected, one of his first acts in office will be to repeal and replace an ordinance that allowed commissioners to earn a 7.8% pay raise in 2023. Kertes, the chairman, now earns over $95,600 annually, while Chew and Cerilli Thrasher earn over $92,200. The pay structure exists to ensure that elected officials receive annual cost of living increases.

Kopas also said he would treat the position like a full-time job.

“The honor of being a county commissioner deserves full-time work,” he said. “It should be treated as one’s lone priority.”

The 49-year-old stressed his commitment to economic growth, fiscal responsibility, public safety and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families in the release.

Kopas recently resigned from the Pennsylvania Governor’s Action Team. He also was appointed by Gov. Josh Shapiro to serve on the Human Services Advisory Committee for the Transition Team.

In November, Thrasher told the Tribune-Review she intended to run for reelection in 2023. Kertes and Chew have yet to make announcements, but are expected to run again.

In response to Kopas’ announcement, Chew said he’s proud of the work that he and Kertes have accomplished in one term.

“Chairman Kertes and I dealt with blight by infusing $10.4 million into the problem. We managed the Industrial Development Corporation’s largest expansion in its history, with more projects to be announced in 2023. We have not raised taxes or fees,” Chew wrote in an email.

Thrasher and Kertes did not respond to requests for comment.

John Ventre, a retired executive from Hempfield, announced in January he will run in this year’s Republican primary for commissioner. He finished third, behind Kertes and Chew, in the 2019 Republican primary.

In Westmoreland County, there are more than 121,000 registered Republicans, 92,000 registered Democrats and more than 25,000 people whose registration is independent, non-partisan or no affiliation.