There will be one Republican candidate and two Democratic candidates on the ballot this month.
On May 20th, voters across Pennsylvania will head to the polls to cast their ballots in the 2025 primary election. In Erie, Pennsylvania, one Republican and two Democrats are running for their party’s nominations for the county’s executive.
Brenton Davis, 42, is the Republican candidate who is running unopposed for a second term.
In a recent interview, Davis answered why he should be elected again, “My administration has a proven track record of delivering results. I took office at the height of COVID and immediately reopened our economy, trusting residents to make their own health choices. We partnered with local health systems to stand up emergency clinics and not a single life was lost under our watch.”
Davis cited his record of zero lives lost during windstorms, floods, wildfires, snowstorms, and a measles outbreak.
Davis pointed to his background in military leadership and as a private business owner as reasons constituents should feel confident in his ability to hold the post for another term.
In the interview, Davis said he would prioritize public safety, lower taxes, and investment in infrastructure if elected to serve another term as Erie county’s executive.
“When I took office, Erie County didn’t even track 911 data… We’ve invested millions in EMS scholarships, adding 80-plus EMTs and paramedics to our workforce… But the crisis isn’t over: 40% of Erie County still lacks reliable ambulance coverage. That’s why I’ve proposed $2.5 million in county gaming revenue for the 2025 budget,” Davis said.
On prioritizing infrastructure, he added, “We must invest in infrastructure to attract the opportunities which pass Erie County by each week… We must have infrastructure in the ground to support industry, have a nimble workforce development pipeline being built at the Community College and clear span structures capable of being modified quickly to allow a company to purchase/lease and build to suit their needs in a short time frame.”
Davis said his “administration will continue to identify pathways to keep our taxes low and look for alternatives to property taxes.”
Democratic candidate Christina Vogel, 48, is one of two vying for the Democratic nomination for county executive in Erie’s primary. Vogel is a Donatos Pizza franchisee.
In a recent interview, Vogel cited her experience and ability to manage funds.
“I have managed budgets that are millions of dollars… In my business, which I created from nothing, I have had to make tough choices. I know I can find efficiencies and savings in the county budget because I’ve already done it in my own business after COVID and on a much larger scale in Illinois in the Office of Management and Budget, which is billions of dollars.”
Vogel also referenced her MBA and experience with the inaugural board of trustees that created the Erie County Community College.
She noted that the most important issue for the county is the budget. She plans to prioritize efficiency with tax dollars and to “explore zero based budgeting to better manage spending.”
Vogel plans to find savings in the budget to better support “essential social services,” such as the Office of Children and Youth, the Health Department, and Library Services. She also plans to “make transparency, open communication and accountability a priority” if elected.
The other Democratic candidate, Perry Wood, 46, is the executive director of the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority.
In a recent interview, Wood expressed that he should be elected because he “[brings] both the experience to govern effectively and the relationships to win across party lines.” He cited his experience working with members of all political parties to deliver results for Erie County.
Wood mentioned his role in building the Keystone Innovation Zone, helping launch the Erie County Community College, and overseeing more than $88 million in investments through his role with the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority.
Wood also mentioned his knowledge of the county’s economic development system. “I’ve led efforts to make it more accountable and transparent, replacing dysfunction with trust and stability. Erie County residents deserve a county government that works, and I’ve proven I can deliver that,” he said.
“If elected, I will prioritize three key areas: Expanding access to childcare, supporting small businesses and restoring real economic development across Erie County,” Wood said in the interview.
“In my current role with ECGRA, I’ve helped launch an initiative to create 2,5000 high-quality childcare slots across the county to build new daycare centers, renovate existing ones and help providers expand capacity,” he added.
In terms of supporting small businesses, Wood pointed to his work with NWPA Technology Council and ECGRA. If elected, his goal would be to launch 500 new startups across Erie County.
Wood said of his economic development plans, “Through initiatives like Mission Main Street and Empower Erie, we’ve shown that when we align government, business, and community partners, we can create real opportunity. On day one, “I’ll rejoin Infinite Erie and make sure the county government is no longer operating in isolation. That means working with public and private stakeholders to drive investment, cutting red tape and deliver the results our county deserves.”
