Published: October 21, 2009 10:55 pm      

Somerset prothonotary faces election challenge

SOMERSET — Angie Svonavec is seeking a fourth term as Somerset County’s prothonotary.

Svonavec, a Democrat, has been prothonotary since 1998. She will face Republican Larry E. Bevans Jr.

The prothonotary serves as custodian of Somerset County civil records. The four-year position carries no legal powers.

Svonavec is an executive board member of the State Association of Prothonotaries and Clerks of Courts, and she chairs the Somerset County Records Improvement Committee.

She said she has worked to upgrade technology in her office.

With nearly 12 years of experience, Svonavec said she understands the rules and statutes necessary for filings in the civil division of the court.

“That would prevent the county from entering into a lawsuit for something being misfiled,” she said.

Svonavec lives in Somerset Township with her husband, John Kuhn, who is serving with the military in Iraqi.

Bevans is employed in behavioral health at Youth Advocate Programs, working in the Somerset Area, Berlin Brothersvalley and Rockwood Area schools.

“I am a dedicated, honest individual and plan to follow through with my goals of serving the public in Somerset County,” Bevan said in a statement. “I believe the Republican Party needs to regroup by embracing the ideals of our Republican founding fathers.”

Bevans has two sons and is engaged to Misty D. Deaner of Somerset.

The prothonotary campaign is the only contested countywide race in the Nov. 3 election. There were no races for countywide office in the spring primary election.

Coroner Wallace E. Miller, a Republican, and Treasurer Donna Matsko Schmitt, a Democrat, have no challengers.

The county has 50,684 registered voters. Of those, 25,017 are Republicans and 21,755 are Democrats. The rest are represented by other parties.

During “off-year” elections – with no major office such as president or governor at stake

– voter turnout in Somerset County could be as low as 20 percent, said Tina Pritts, county voter registration and election director.