On a local level, the 2015 primary election in Montgomery County was another dud, enticing only 14 percent of registered voters to cast ballots.  But there were a few races in the area that were contested and therefore drew interest. 

          In some municipalities where contests existed, like Douglass and Upper Hanover, the number of voters casting ballots rose above 30 percent.

          And the outcome of some of the contests in this year's election, like the race for a seat on the Upper Perkiomen School Board won't be known for weeks as nearly 1,400 write-in votes were recorded in the race for Upper Perkiomen School Director.

          In the race for the Republican nomination for Douglass (MontCo) supervisor, Dr. Alan Keiser felt the support at polls Tuesday. He said many voters told him they knew who he was and were behind him.  Those voters appeared to express that support for Keiser in the voting booth. The Republican won a convincing primary victory over Reinhold "Fred" Theil, a former township supervisor.

          Keiser, an osteopathic family physician with a practice in Schwenksville, estimates he won the race by nearly a 3-1 margin. Unofficial vote totals were not posted on the Montgomery County website as of midnight Wednesday.

          "I was surprised at how many people were willing to support a new candidate," Keiser said. "It's a really good feeling."

          Keiser will face off against incumbent John Stasik, Jr. in November's general election. Stasik, a Democrat, ran unopposed in his primary.

          "I respect John Stasik," Keiser said. He has the township's best interest at heart."

          The ongoing controversy involving Mountain Mulch, located at 244 Sassamansville Road, played a central role in the Republican primary contest.

          Keiser and five other property owners in the Sassamansville portion of the township were part of tri-party agreement that required the business to cease all mulching operations, vacate the property or sell the property by the end of the March.

          Theil has been sued by municipal officials for his role in the disposal of Hurricane Sandy debris, as a member of the board of supervisors, at the business more than two years ago.

          The civil lawsuit - which seeks to recover $36,943.82 spent by municipal officials in legal and engineering fees required by the delivery of the debris - claims that Theil acted "without legal authority" to allow the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to dump 250,000 yards of debris from Hurricane Sandy at the business in 2012.

          Theil has denied any wrongdoing. He filed a countersuit seeking more than $100,000 in damages from the township amid claims that municipal officials "knew and acted with reckless disregard as to the falsity of the publicized matter."

          Keiser said he was grateful for the turnout and the overwhelming support.

          "I think it showed people are ready for a change," he said. "Rather than have a person in charge who would do things his way, they think things should be done in the correct way."

          Theil said he decided not to pay for any campaign mailings because "because it was not worth the cost."

          The former supervisor said he put his name in the race to see if there were enough votes to win.

          "Evidently, there was not," Theil said. "Somebody did a good job getting the word out against me."

          Theil says he is already contemplating his next maneuver.

          "I may run again sometime down the road," he said.

Other Contests

          In the race for the Republican nomination for New Hanover Township Supervisor, Attorney Charles Garner Jr. topped incumbent David Paul Brown by getting almost 61 percent of the 530 votes cast.

          In Upper Hanover Township, three Republicans were seeking the nomination for two open seats on the board of supervisors.  Incumbents Gene Fried (290) and Ben Fiorito (283) held off a challenge by Herbert H. Butz (206).  There were no Democrats running; however, there were 81 write-in votes cast on the 'D' side and we'll have to wait for county election officials to validate the ballots.  Only 10 valid, write-in votes are needed to get on the November ballot to challenge Tuesday's winners. 

          The school board races in the three regions of the Boyertown Area School District brought few surprises.

          In Region 1, which covers Bally and Bechtelsville boroughs, Colebrookdale, Earl and Washington townships in Berks County, incumbent board member Christine M. Neiman won the Democratic and Republican primaries over challenger Wendy Moyer-Drabick, according to unofficial results posted on the Berks County website.

          Neiman held a 265-228 edge in Democratic votes. She also won the Republican primary by 42 votes (311-279). Neiman and Moyer-Drabick were competing for one seat.

          In Region 2, which covers Douglass Township (Berks and part of Montgomery County), four cross-filing candidates were vying for two seats.  Incumbents Steve Elsier and Barbara Hartford held off a challenge by Stephanie Dippolito and Clay D. Breece.

          In Region 3, which covers New Hanover and Upper Frederick Townships, two candidates, Donna L. Usavage and David P. Lewis, ran unopposed.  Both were cross-filed.

          In the Upper Perkiomen School Board race, only two candidates filed and there are five positions available.  Incumbents Mike Elliotl and Raeann Hofkin cross-filed for the election.  Elliot received 287 votes on the Democratic side and 503 on the Republican.  Hofkin received 224 votes on the Democratic ticket and 549 on the GOP side. 

          With more than 1,400 write-in ballots cast, there could be a battle brewing for November.

          All totals are unofficial until validated by county election officials.