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Race for Ormsby’s seat set

Blattenberger, Elensky likely to face off for district judge

The southern Blair County magisterial district judge seat held by Craig Ormsby appears set for a race this November, with candidates Andrew Blattenberger and Derek Elensky winning the Republican and Democratic primaries, respectively.

Vote tallies Tuesday night showed relatively close races in both primaries: Blattenberger took the GOP spot with 1,238 votes to Elensky’s 1,130, while Elensky won among Democrats with 295 votes to Blattenberger’s 232. Results are considered preliminary and are not official until confirmed by county election officers.

Blattenberger expressed confidence in the race shortly after the results came in.

“I look forward to the election in the fall. I’m humbled and grateful to all those people in the area that supported me, and I look forward to the support of the voters (in November),” he said.

Elensky did not return a message seeking comment.

Blattenberger, 41, an attorney with Hollidaysburg-based Urban & Blattenberger, is set to face Elensky, 38, a county assistant district attorney for the seat. Veteran District Judge Ormsby is retiring after this term, leaving the judgeship — which covers much of Morrisons Cove as well as Claysburg and East Freedom — open for newcomers.

Both candidates have positioned themselves as experienced lawyers who will act fairly in the job, which represents the first step in the judicial system for those accused of crimes and summary offenses.

“I have always believed in keeping your word and show that through action,” Elensky wrote in a candidacy summary provided to the Mirror. “I would maintain that as an MDJ honoring the need for fairness and impartiality.”

The race drew larger turnout from the area’s more numerous Repub­licans, who voted at a 31-percent rate, according to preliminary county numbers. Democrats in the court district turned out at a 23-percent rate.

On Tuesday, Blatten­berger praised Ormsby’s long service and said he would carry on his record.

“Craig Ormsby served in that position for 30 years. … That is one of the best-run magisterial district judge offices I’ve ever had the pleasure of appearing before,” he said.

Mirror Staff Writer Ryan Brown is at 946-7457.

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