Primary election balloting Tuesday in the Panther Valley area centered on Lansford, as it was the only one of three municipalities that had contested races.

Those races included a three-person challenge for the Republican nomination for the mayor’s position. Prevailing was Denise Leibensperger, who defeated Bob Silver and Bruce Markovich to win that ballot spot in November. There was not a Democratic candidate on the ballot.

Leibensperger won with 118 votes, followed by Silver with 75 and Markovich with 59.

Meanwhile, four Republicans sought three nominations for borough council positions, Winning were George Gilbert, with 182 votes; Gwyneth A. Collevechio, 125; and Patrick Walsh, 114; Losing out was William J. Chuma, who had 103 votes.

The winning trio will face Democrats Ashley A. Nelson Hall, Jennifer M. Staines and Joseph Genits in November.

Their complimentary vote totals were as follows: Genits, 155; Staines, 146; and Nelson Hall, 91.

Other uncontested candidates on yesterday’s ballot in Lansford, and their respective complimentary vote totals, included:

Joseph J. Pavlis, Republican, tax collector, 204; Daniel J. Wynn, Democrat, judge of elections, Middle Ward, 60; and Jesse Durning, Democrat, judge of elections, West Ward, 45.

Nesquehoning

There were no contests in Nesquehoning Tuesday.

Complimentary votes went to the following: Mary A. Fox, Democrat, 178; William Bamford, Republican, council, 154; and Patricia A. Vito, Democrat, tax collector, 224.

Summit Hill

Like Nesquehoning, Summit Hill Borough had a shortage of candidates for the primary, so there were no contests facing voters, except for a race for the GOP nomination for the inspector of elections position in the White Bear voting district.

In that balloting, Sandra Dellicker beat Joy Richards by a margin of 26-16.

Otherwise, token votes went to the following:

Karen L. Ruzicka, Democrat, mayor, 219; Joseph Weber, Democrat, council, 251; Edward J. Kane, Republican, council, 154; Nathan R. Halenar, Democrat, tax collector, 302; Harmony L. Smith, Republican, judge of elections, 1st Ward, 36; Barbara A. Shelton, Democrat, inspector of elections, 1st Ward, 75; Bryan R. Smith, inspector of elections, 1st Ward, 30; Joseph J. O’Gurek, judge of elections, 2nd Ward, 91; Judith Midas, inspector of elections, 2nd Ward, 86; and Susan J. Colancecco, judge of elections, 3rd ward, 46.