The Carbon County Democratic and Republican parties have nominated their respective candidates who will replace Frank Ruch on the November general election ballot for a seat on the Lehighton Area School District board of directors.

County Elections Director Lisa Dart said earlier this week that the Democratic Party had tabbed Jack Finnegan, while the Republican Party announced Friday it had selected Richard Beltz.

Finnegan is a past Lehighton board member, while Beltz currently serves on the board.

Beltz ran in the primary on both tickets, finishing sixth on the Republican side and seventh on the Democratic side. The top five vote-getters on each ticket advanced to the general election.

Ruch, who died in a car crash earlier this year, finished in the top five on both tickets in the primary election, advancing to the general election and giving each party the opportunity to choose his replacement.

With the addition of Finnegan and Beltz to the ballot, there will be six candidates vying for five open seats. Finnegan and Beltz will join incumbents Wayne Wentz, Larry Stern, Rita Spinelli and newcomer Nathan Foeller on the ballot.