Who is Running for Bucks County Office?

Though it may lack the glamour of a national campaign, this election year is no less important, especially if you believe in the old adage, "All politics is local."

The following are the candidates running for office at the county level and seeking the nomination from the May 21 primary (incumbents are bolded). The unofficial list has been provided by the Bucks County Board of Elections office.

The last day to register before the primary is April 22. Pennsylvania has a closed primary, meaning that only party members can vote for candidates in their party. Democrats vote for democrats, and republicans vote for republicans. Independents cannot vote in the primary election.

The general election takes place November 5, 2013. The last day to register for the general is October 7.

State Office

PA Judge of the Superior Court

Vic Stabile (R)

Joseph C. Walters (D)

Jack McVay (D)

Allegheny County Judge Ron Wyda withdrew his name near the end of March, politicspa.com reports, sealing the Republican nomination for Stabile.

Bucks County Elected Offices

District Attorney

David Heckler (unopposed)

Sheriff

Edward Duke Donnelly (R)

Tom Lingenfelter (R)

Dennis McCauley (D)

There’s already some drama in this race after a judge ruled last week that incumbent Edward Donnelly could keep the nickname “Duke” on the ballot.

Prothonotary

Michelle Christian (R)

Patricia Bachtle (R)

Ronald Jay Smolow (D)

Recorder of Deeds

Joseph Szafran (R)

Alex Lipton (D)

County Controller

Raymond McHugh (R)

John Jordan (D)

The Bucks County Democratic Party has endorsed Walters for superior court, McCauley for sheriff, Smolow for prothonotary, Lipton for recorder of Deeds and Jordan for Controller, according to phillyburbs.com.

The Republican party has endorsed Christian over five-term incumbent Bachtle, phillyburbs.com reports, plus Donelly for sheriff, Heckler for district attorney, Szafran for recorder of deeds and McHugh for controller.