A small majority of voters interviewed by The News-Item at three polling places favored first-time candidate Tom Wolf over Republican incumbent Tom Corbett for Pennsylvania governor in Tuesday's general election.
At the same time, they favored incumbent state Rep. Kurt Masser (R-107) of Elysburg.
Linda Schwartz, of Trevorton, said, "I voted straight Democrat because Democrats are more for the disabled, disadvantaged and poor. I think Wolf has good ideas and Corbett failed to impose higher taxes on the Marcellus Shale industry."
Schwartz, a lifelong Democrat, said she voted for Libertarian candidate John Burd, of Coal Township, over Masser. She said, "I think Burd is more for the common man while Masser hasn't done anything except for the Republicans, his friends and well-to-do people."
Kevin Shervinskie, a Republican from Zerbe Township, voted for Wolf and Masser.
"I think we're ready for a change in the governorship," Shervinskie said. "I'm not crazy about the job Corbett did in his four years. He took money away from the schools, and fuel taxes and vehicle registrations went up under his watch. I'm hoping Wolf will tax the natural gas industry."
As for Masser, Shervinskie said, "I think Kurt is doing well and deserves another term."
Shervinskie and Schwartz voted at the American Legion in Trevorton, where 235 out of 1,000 registered voters had cast ballots as of 4 p.m. Tuesday. "Turnout has been very steady all day," judge of elections Rachel Foote said,
As of 4:30 p.m., 121 out of 622 registered voters in the Fifth Ward of Shamokin had cast ballots, according to judge of elections Bernadette Baskin, who described turnout as "about average."
Among the voters in Mother Cabrini Church Hall were Joe Dudeck and Joe Rebar, who had opposing views about the governor candidates.
Dudeck, a Democrat who is a retired teacher from the Shamokin Area School District, said, "I voted for Wolf because he's more for the middle class and much stronger for education. Locally, I voted for Kurt because he's doing a good job and stays in touch with his constituents."
Rebar, a Republican, said, "I gave Corbett a vote because I think he needs four more years to fulfill some of his promises and policies. I believe Corbett had no choice but to make cuts in education."
Rebar also voted for Masser. He believes the state representative has done a good job during his four years as a state representative, but admitted knowing very little about Burd, who announced his candidacy in August.
As of 5:10 p.m., 185 out of 520 registered voters cast ballots in Beaverdale Fire Company in the Mount Carmel Township West polling station, according to judge of elections Sean Zanella.
"I voted for Tom Corbett because I don't believe in Wolf's proposals and the route he is heading in," said Republican Jeff Molesevich of Den-Mar Gardens. "I also voted for Kurt because he's helping the local area."
A Democrat who would only identify himself as a local union member said he cast a straight Democratic ticket to voice support for school teachers and his displeasure with Corbett and Masser.
"I think Corbett and Masser have done enough damage and it's time for a change," he said.
Corbett has struggled to defend budget-balancing cuts in aid to public schools in 2011 at the same time he cut business taxes and opposed calls for higher taxes on the thriving natural gas industry.
Wolf, who was ahead in independent polls throughout the campaign, has been accused by Corbett's supporters of planning a massive middle-class tax increase to fulfill his spending promises and being a political clone of President Barack Obama.