It appears as though incumbent district judge David Engman has nabbed the Republican nod for the magistrate’s seat in Kane, while challenger Tyler Hannah appears to have narrowly captured the Democratic nomination.
According to unofficial tabulations at the McKean County elections office, Engman earned 466 Republican votes to Hannah’s 393; while Hannah garnered 279 Democratic votes to Engman’s 277.
The office’s jurisdiction includes Kane and Mount Jewett boroughs and Hamilton, Hamlin, Lafayette and Wetmore townships.
They are competing for a six-year term and were each running for both the Republican and Democratic ballots.
Engman is seeking his second term as district judge. He has served five years as district judge, eight years as deputy sheriff, two years as a correctional officer, three years working as a logger, is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and spent three years working in a saw mill as a teenager.
Meanwhile, Hannah is a lifelong resident of Wetmore Township.
Having graduated with his law degree in 2009, he obtained employment with the Court of Common Pleas for McKean County in Smethport and clerked for both President Judge John H. Pavlock and Judge Christopher G. Hauser. Hannah has practiced with Woods Baker & Ross since 2014.
Outside of his professional background, Hannah said he is an active volunteer and community advocate serving on numerous boards for various organizations.
