Politics & Government

Coroner Race: Adams and Balogh Face Off

The winner will face longtime Democratic incumbent Tim Warco in the general election.

Longtime Washington County Coroner Tim Warco will face opposition on the Republican ticket in the fall, with voters deciding Tuesday whether Mark Adams or Rob Balogh will be the challenger.

Both Adams, of West Alexander, and Balogh, of North Strabane Township,
are seeking the Republican nomination in the primary election Tuesday.

Adams, 56, said he decided to run for the post because he believes it’s time for “new blood” in the office.

And another reason is Warco’s other job: That of funeral director.

“I believe it is unethical for a funeral director to be a coroner,” Adams said.

He said if elected, he would use his experience as a manager to help the office be “a little bit more open” and improve efficiency in the office—adding that it is human nature for a longtime incumbent to become “complacent in the job.”

Adams said his experience as the director of operations for NABCO in Washington—a company that helps military, security and public safety professionals manage, treat and contain explosives—as well as eight-years as a school director for McGuffey, and six years as the head of the Washington County Farm Bureau will help him lead the office. He also served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, as well as in the National Guard.

Adams also said that he and his wife, Sherri, have long been child advocates—starting the CASA for Kids program in Washington County to train volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children in our county.

He and his wife have three grown children and six grandchildren.

Balogh, 47, is currently a North Strabane Township supervisor, and said that he decided to run for the office to help change the paradigm from one of funeral service to one of public safety.

He said if elected, he would work to rebuild relationships with the public service community, as well as to create education and outreach programs.

“It is important to interface with first responders,” Balogh said, adding that a coroner should do more than “just show up after a tragedy and deal with the deceased.”

Balogh said his experience as a fireman, police officer and paramedic will help him effectively lead the coroner’s office if elected.

“I believe I am the most qualified candidate for coroner,” the network specialist said, previously stating: "I know it sounds morbid, but I have experienced every aspect of death. From deaths at home, to violent deaths out in the field, I've experienced it all."

Balogh is married, and serves as a network administrator for a nonprofit.

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