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HOLLIDAYSBURG -- Two political newcomers -- backed by the Hollidaysburg Watchdog group -- apparently won seats on Hollidaysburg Borough Council in Tuesday's primary election.
According to unofficial results, David Jacobs defeated longtime council member and current president Joseph Pompa 32-20 on the Republican ballot in the borough's Ward 1.
In Ward 3, newcomer Clay Gingrich defeated incumbent Michele Baker 64-43 on the Republican ballot.
There were no Democrats on the ballot.
Gingrich, Warren A. Gingrich Insurance Co. president, said he was grateful for the voters who supported him in Ward 3, which includes the Gaysport area.
"I am hoping I can make an impact and help my area of the community. I have no agenda. I just want to help make a difference in a positive way. I was hoping I was going to win, but I wasn't certain of it; it is a nice surprise," Gingrich said.
Gingrich said support from the Watchdog group helped.
"I think it definitely did make an impact. They have a strong voice in the community and I think it helped," Gingrich said.
Baker, who works in the Blair County Prothonotary's Office, had served on council for four years.
"I am a little disappointed but not totally surprised. I hope he has the best of luck," Baker said.
In Ward 1, Jacobs, a Blair County prison corrections officer, defeated Pompa, who had served on council for 17 years.
Neither Jacobs nor Pompa responded for comments.
The Watchdog Group, which opposed Pompa and Baker, is happy with the election results.
The group didn't like Pompa's "deferential attitude toward borough management" and it was his decision to back the borough's "official fiction" surrounding the 2021 meetings of the Phoenix Volunteer Fire Department Committee, held without public notice, that proved a step too far, according to the group's voters' guide.
"We've been very disappointed with the council and their dealings with funding the Phoenix Volunteer Fire Department. We hope a new council will take a fresh look at the funding of the Phoenix Fire Department," Regis Nale, group treasurer, said.
Ward 5 Councilman Wiliam Kitt and Ward 7 Councilman Jeffrey Ketner were unopposed in Tuesday's primary.