Venango County commissioner election 2023

It is a county election year in Venango County. and the three commissioner seats are up for grabs. At least two of the current commissioners are planning to run; the third has yet to commit. A Franklin businessman has also tossed his hat in the ring and rumors about other possible candidates are flying around like swallows on a hot summer lake.

We'll leave rumors where they belong and just deal with what we know.

Commissioner Albert Abramovic, better known as Chip, posted his announcement up on social media a few weeks back. The local papers carried it and the race for Venango County Commissioner had begun.

Commissioner Sam Breene told us "I've been telling anybody who will listen that I plan to run again." He indicated that he plans to make it official soon.

Commissioner Mike Dulaney says he hasn't made up his mind yet.

Joining Abramovic on the Democratic primary ballot is Mathew Beith, who announced his candidacy earlier this week.

​The heavily Republican county traditionally has two Republican commissioners and only one Democrat. By rule, one other party candidate must be elected for the balance of power. Currently, Dulaney and Breene represent the Republican Party and Abromovic the Democrats.
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The primary, where Republicans and Democrats get to vote for who will appear on the general election ballot on their party's behalf, is May 16.

Below is what is on the Venango County website lays out for what the duties of the commissioners are.

​The commissioners are responsible for the overall management of county operation as it relates to:

• Authorizing resolutions and ordinances,
• Determining the county budget,
• Establishing policies,
• Insurance,
• Legal issues, and
• Taxing contract administration.
  

​In addition, the following county divisions direct report to the Board of Commissioners for the provision of services:

• Community Services,
• County Administrator / Chief Clerk Operations,
• County Solicitor,
• Finance and Administration,
• Human Resource Department, and
• Human Services.​​
  

​The Commissioners serve on the following boards directly related to county government: 

• Elections, Retirement, and Salary Board,
  
• Prison Board, and
• Various Human Service Advisory Boards.​

The Commissioners also have a seat on or appoint people to serve on a variety of community boards of directors such as:

• County Assessment Board,
• County Conservation District,
• Housing Authority,
• The Oil Heritage Regional Park, Inc.,
• Penn State Cooperative Extension,
• Planning Commission,
• Sugarcreek Station / Sugar Valley Lodge,
• Tourist Promotion, and 
• Venango County Industrial Development Authority.​
  

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The Venango County Board of Commissioners is elected to serve a term of four years.

Anyone seeking to publicize their candidacy for commissioner and email their announcement to [email protected] for consideration of publication.

Full transcripts of the official announcements made so far can be found by clicking on the Editorial tab of the website.  Mathew Beith Chip Abramovic