State College will have a new mayor and at least two new borough council members in 2022, and the field of candidates in May’s primary election for those positions is now set.
Candidates had until March 9 to file nomination petitions and lots were cast for ballot positions on Wednesday morning.
In the mayoral race, Jim Leous and Ezra Nanes, both of whom previously announced their candidacies, are running on the Democratic ballot in the May 18 primary.
The State College mayor, who receives a salary of $13,000 a year, does not vote on any action of council, but presides over meetings and can veto or approve ordinances.
Leous works in the the Office of the Associate CIO for Research at Penn State. He is currently in the final year of his third term on the State College Area School Board a tenure that included multiple stints as board vice president.
Leous said in a statement the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic impact, as well as “the fraying of our community” and a “divided country,” require local solutions. “We don’t fix this on a national level. The only way we fix this is in our local communities, person to person and neighbor to neighbor,” he said. “Local government needs to provide the bridge to economic recovery for all of us, and help rebuild a sense of cooperation and well-being.”
He cited his collaboration and leadership on the school board and commitment to making State College a welcoming community for all.
Nanes is director of business development at AccuWeather. In 2018, he won the Democratic nomination to challenge longtime state Sen. Jake Corman, R-Bellefonte, in the 34th District. While his bid was unsuccessful, Nanes won 52.8% of the vote in Centre County.
He said he is committed to “strong, empathetic leadership, constructive and unifying public discourse,” and responsive governance, adding that the borough needs unity and vision to move forward after emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic. Nanes has been an advocate for the borough’s planned police Community Oversight Board and Civilian Response Team, saying both need permanent funding and that the oversight board should not be scaled down from the recommendations of the ad hoc study committee.
“On divisive and emotionally charged issues, we need a steady voice to recognize the needs of all sides,” Nanes said. “However, on issues of human rights, equality and inclusivity, we must be uncompromising, courageous and bold — these are the choices that will define our legacy for future generations.”
When borough council appointed a replacement for Mayor Don Hahn, who stepped down in 2019 to become district judge, Leous and Nanes both applied for consideration. The appointment ultimately went to Ron Filippelli, who pledged not to seek election to the position in 2021 and is instead running for borough council.
Filippelli joins six other candidates vying for three borough council seats. Katherine Yeaple, who was appointed last fall to fill the unexpired term of Dan Murphy, is the only incumbent on the ballot. The other two positions up for election are currently held by Evan Myers and Theresa Lafer, both of whom are term-limited and cannot run this year.
Just one candidate is running on the Republican ballot.
Council members are elected to four-year terms.
The seven borough council candidates in the primary are:
Democrat
Gopal Balachandran: An assistant professor of clinical law at Penn State and former public defender, Balachandran said he was inspired to seek office following the January death of his father “a political junkie and lifelong Democrat… [who] was horrified by the events in our country post-2016.” He said his priorities include permanent funding for the Community Oversight Board and Civilian Response Team, “building a new type of relationship between the police and community,” sustainable and diverse neighborhoods and making State College more walkable and bikeable.
Richard Biever: A borough resident and small business owner for more than 20 years, Biever owns Singing Onstage and FUSE productions in State College. He said his priorities include addressing the public health and economic impacts of COVID-19, supporting diverse and inclusive neighborhoods, police training and reallocation of funding to mental health, domestic violence and homelessness services, and advocating for a $15 minimum wage. “Food insecurity and adequate low-cost housing are major issues,” Biever said.
Catherine Dauler: Dauler served four previous terms on borough council, including two years as council president. Her most recent term ended in 2019. She said she did not plan to run for office again but wants to help address three crises faced by the borough: COVID-19 and its impact on borough finances, the effects of the pandemic on the local business community, “and attacks on borough leaders over the borough’s response to the Osagie tragedy.”
Ronald Filippelli: Currently in the final year of his appointment as mayor, Filippelli previously served two terms on borough council, including one as council president. He announced a joint campaign with Dauler and said “the events of the last 12 months have convinced us of the need for experienced, competent leaders who have demonstrated a strong commitment to the welfare of the borough and its citizens over many years.” They said they have based their campaign on “inclusivity, accountability, fiscal responsibility and honesty.”
Divine Lipscomb: Lipscomb is an adult learner Penn State student who works in advocacy for supporting the reentry of formerly incarcerated individuals. He has detailed his journey from serving time in prison in his late teens to Penn State, where in 2020 he received the StandUp Award for Ethical Leadership and the Outstanding Adult Student Award. He said he believes it is important for residents who live below the poverty line to have representation on council. “We need a stronger economy, equity and justice in all carceral, housing and health matters,” he said.
Katherine Yeaple: Appointed to council in September 2020, Yeaple is a nurse who works in infection control for Penn State. She also has a master’s degree in urban planning. She said believes the community needs more public health investment, including creation of a public health office, and addressing the economic impacts of the pandemic is a priority. Most recently she introduced a resolution, adopted by council, condemning anti-Asian hate and bias. “I hope to provide the fearless leadership that listens to and speaks for all members of our community and that is why I am running for borough council,” Yeaple said.
Republican
Jacob Werner: The sole Republican on the primary ballot, Werner is a Penn State research professor and attending veterinarian for Agricultural Animals and Wildlife Animal Resource Program. He did not issue a campaign announcement, but was among 11 candidates for the council appointment last year that ultimately went to Yeaple. At the time, he said his goals were to “work to foster business development, help families grow, develop relationships that make everyone welcome.” He added that he believes in being open to new ideas and researching issues “to provide resources for growth.”
Constable
Republican Donald “DJ” Watkins is the only candidate on the primary ballot for borough constable, which has a six-year term.
Candidates have until March 24 to withdraw from the ballot.
