Control of the Dauphin County Board of Commissioners would result in a party switch for the first time in at least a century if Democratic candidate Justin Douglas maintains a razor-thin lead over incumbent Republican Chad Saylor.
Dauphin County elections officials have counted about 250 provisional ballots, and just over a dozen military and overseas ballots have yet to be returned before next Tuesday’s voting deadline, said county spokeswoman Jennifer Fitch.
Those ballots could potentially close the 42 votes between Douglas and Saylor, who is seeking election to a full-term commissioner after being appointed in 2021 to finish out the unexpired term of former commissioner Jeff Haste. With approximately 23% of the vote for each, the two are separated by just 0.04%, according to unofficial results.
Unofficial results show that Democratic incumbent Commissioner George Hartwick and incumbent Republican Commissioner Mike Pries won the remaining two seats on the three-member board, each receiving about 27% of the vote. The election results are scheduled for Wednesday.
Saylor did not immediately respond to a request for comment through his campaign website.
In a Facebook post thanking voters, his supporters and his family for the role they played in his campaign, Douglas said he remains committed to the principle of transparency and recognizes his lead is slim.
“We are determined to ensure this process continues in a fair and transparent manner. To make sure every vote counts, we must provide legal assistance,” Douglas said, asking supporters to cover attorney fees.
Republicans have controlled Dauphin County government since at least 1919, – Pennlive.com reportedciting a list of commissioners by party affiliation provided by the district.
Douglas is a pastor who lives in Conewago Township with his wife and three children. As a community leader, he has worked with homeless people, marginalized LGBTQIA+ people, and people struggling with poverty. During his campaign, Douglas said he would focus on rethinking the county’s jail system, improving mental health services and investing in the county’s workforce.
Found on my walk home: A door hanger from Justin Douglas, who may have successfully flipped the Dauphin County commission blue. https://t.co/PZqUoZ9zmT pic.twitter.com/pr2uKa0qgG
— Stephen Scare-uso (@StephenJ_Caruso) November 8, 2023
His materials, aimed at younger voters, included: YouTube video styled as a web series of celebrity interviews called “The Hot Ones”, in which stars eat increasingly fiery sizzling wings. His campaign also distributed door hangers with the message: “Did you know? The mayor of Jaws is still the mayor of Jaws 2. Local elections matter.”
Saylor, of Lower Paxton Township, was Dauphin County’s top clerk and chief of staff for 14 years before being appointed to the board of commissioners. Prior to serving Saylor County, he worked as communications director for former Gov. Jim Cawley.
