BELLEFONTE — Voters filled five seats on the Bellefonte Borough Council in Tuesday’s municipal election, including two each in Wards 1 and 3, and one in Ward 2.

The night’s most competitive contest took place in Ward 1, where Republican Rita Purnell appears to have lost her bid for reelection.

Elsewhere, according to unofficial results, current Council President Barbara Dann, representing Ward 2, and fellow incumbent Shawna McKean of Ward 3 are expected to return to their seats.

In Ward 1, four candidates sought two open positions. Democratic challenger Claudia Wilson appears to have unseated incumbent Rita Purnell, while fellow Democrat Jon Eaton captured the seat previously held by former Republican council president Kent Bernier, who did not seek reelection. Republican newcomer Kimberly Shenk trailed with 296 votes, compared with Wilson’s 447, Eaton’s 372 and Purnell’s 325.

Dann easily retained her seat in Ward 2, earning 478 of 510 votes cast.

In Ward 3, McKean received 384 votes to remain on council. She will be joined by Democrat Zach Kelly, who collected 323 votes to succeed outgoing member Johanna Sedgewick, who is also a Democrat.

All newly elected members will serve terms through 2029.

OTHER OFFICES

Based on official results, the Borough of Bellefonte will also retain its mayor, Gene “Buddy” Johnson, who ran unopposed for reelection. First sworn in in December 2021, this will be his second term in office.

Borough Tax Collector Debra Burger was likewise unopposed. Her next term will run from 2026 through 2029.

Write-in votes for both positions were negligible.

The Centre County Board of Elections will convene several times in the days following the municipal election.

Meetings are scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025, at 10 a.m. (watch live

www.youtube.com/live/B_8h4BPtmgU); Friday, Nov. 7, 2025, at 10 a.m. (watch live www.youtube.com/live/KO9VQM11-yM); Monday, Nov. 10, 2025, at 3 p.m. for pre-certification; and Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, at 3 p.m. for certification.