SUNBURY - History was made in Tuesday's general election in Northumberland County as political newcomer Attorney Rick Shoch of Sunbury was the top vote-getter for commissioner and Stephen Bridy of Elysburg became the first Independent candidate in county history to win election as commissioner.
For the first time ever, neither of the political parties will have majority control of the board. The board will consist of one Republican (Shoch), one Democrat (incumbent Vinny Clausi) and Bridy.
Clausi came in second in the balloting, followed by Bridy. Democrat Frank J. Sawicki and Republican Merle H. Phillips lost their bids for another term on the board.
Shoch, a Republican, captured 7,960 votes. Clausi tallied 7,456, and Bridy won 5,828.
Sawicki, of Atlas, who has served eight years as commissioner, had 5,545 votes, while Phillips, of Upper Augusta Township, who was appointed commissioner in November to replace state legislator Kurt Masser (R-107), tallied 5,475 votes.
There were 30 write-in votes for commissioner.
Shoch, at the county administration building, said being the top vote-getter in his first election exceeded his expectations. "I expected to be in a horse race for third place. This is a total shock to me. It shows the voters wanted change. I ran a clean, no-risk campaign. I want to thank the voters who came out and supported me. They had faith in me."
Shoch said he plans to work with Clausi and Bridy in making the county the best it can be. "It's important to find positives for each other and positives for the county," he said.
He believes he has a legitimate claim to the chairmanship because he was the top vote-getter, but would certainly consult with the other commissioners.
Bridy, a financial consultant, was considered a long shot as an Independent candidate. He gave credit to God for his victory.
"I believe in God," he said. "How else can I explain all this? They said I was a long shot. I've been in wrestling, I played football, and when someone counts me out, I work harder. I had faith that if I worked hard and put 100 percent into it, it would be interesting," he said by phone late Tuesday night.
Bridy was one of 25 individuals last year who submitted their names for appointment as Northumberland County commissioner when Masser resigned after winning a seat in the state House of Representatives. Bridy switched from the Republican party to become an Independent candidate.
"There's an upheaval of people fighting one against another. People are starting to think more independently," he said.
He also offered his thoughts to what may have attracted voters in his direction.
"I have a vision for the county, and I wasn't reserved," he said. "I didn't play it safe. I could have played the professional politician, but all I did was be myself."
He thanked his wife and the people of Northumberland County for the help and support of his campaign.
He plans to be involved with county government before the new year, but said he needs to take a break first due to exhaustion.
Alisha Herb, director of the county board of elections, said approximately 400 absentee ballots still need to be counted, but this tabulation shouldn't affect the outcome.
Only 17,687 out of 54,404 registered voters voted in Tuesday's election, which represents a turnout of 32.5 percent.
The first ward of Sunbury was the initial precinct to report its vote totals at 8:25 p.m. The last voting machine arrived at the county administration center at about 9:40 p.m.
All vote totals are unofficial. The official count will be held Monday and Tuesday.