Whitehall’s treasurer seeks to knock Democratic challenger off primary ballot
Tina Jo Koren's petition challenge among several filed in the Lehigh Valley
Tina Jo Koren, the incumbent treasurer/tax collector of Whitehall Township, has filed a petition challenge seeking to remove Thomas Slonaker, her would-be challenger in the May 20 primary election, from the Democratic ballot.
In a challenge filed in Lehigh County Court, Koren says that Slonaker, who is president of the Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners, failed to file a statement of financial interest with Whitehall Township by March 11, as required. He did, however, file one on time with Lehigh County on March 4, the lawsuit says.
The hearing is scheduled for March 19.
Candidates seeking office must file nomination petitions with valid signatures as well as statements of financial interest. Today is the deadline to file challenges to petitions.
The challenge against Slonaker is among several filed so far in the Lehigh Valley.
Slonaker could not be reached for comment. According to WFMZ, he was involved in a car accident on March 10.
Koren is seeking her second term as treasurer. Slonaker held the post from 1994 to 1997.
Koren herself was the subject of a petition challenge in 2023 when she ran as the Republican candidate for mayor against Democrat Joseph Marx Jr.
The challenge was filed by Republican Kade A. Marx, a son of Marx Jr., alleging she failed to file a financial statement with the township. At issue was her failure to check the box indicating which office she was seeking.
Koren prevailed in court and went on to win the GOP nomination. She lost to Marx Jr. in the General Election.
Koren is being represented by Matthew Mobilio, who represented her in her 2023 case.
Other challenges
John Santana of Allentown, who also is represented by Mobilio, filed a challenge seeking to remove Luis Acevedo from the Democratic ballot for Allentown City Council. A hearing is scheduled this afternoon.
At least two other challenges have been filed in the Lehigh Valley. They include one filed in Northampton County Court by Susan Eagle against Democrat Lance Wheeler, who is running for a seat in District 2 of Easton City Council. The other Democrat seeking to run on May 20 is Julie Zando-Dennis. The lone Republican for the seat is Sharbel Koorie. Eagle is represented by attorney Leo Howell.
Also in Northampton County, Jennifer Parziale filed a challenge against Orlando Ortiz, a Republican who is running for one of two seats on the Forks Township Board of Supervisors. Three other Republicans are running for the GOP nomination – incumbents Gene Parziale and Tim Hughes, and Huntington Keim. Democrats seeking their party’s nomination are Amy Blum and Derek Hughes. Jennifer Parziale is represented by attorney Richard Santee.
Both Northampton County cases are scheduled to be heard on March 21.