PV Forward slate dominates Democratic ballot in PVSD race, 2 Thrive4PV candidates win Republican nod

The 2025 primary election for the Perkiomen Valley School District Board of Directors has set the stage for a high-stakes general election in November, as voters chose four candidates from each party to compete for four open seats on the nine-member board. 

The unofficial results reveal strong Democratic turnout and a divided Republican field, with several candidates cross-filing in an effort to secure both nominations.

The PV Forward slate — Judy Lofton, Ann Bridy, Kevin Williams, and Cindy Westphal — swept the Democratic primary, earning the top four vote totals:

• Lofton: 3,018 votes
• Bridy: 2,989 votes
• Westphal: 2,951 votes
• Williams: 2,838 votes

Trailing far behind were Thrive4PV candidates Jason Saylor (510 votes), Russ Larson (389), and write-ins (99), solidifying PV Forward's control of the Democratic line in the fall.

In the Republican primary, Saylor and Larson, both aligned with the Thrive4PV slate, emerged as the top vote-getters, buoyed by strong in-person turnout:

• Saylor: 2,011 votes
• Larson: 1,946 votes

Despite being part of the PV Forward slate, Williams (576) and Lofton (555), placed within the top four, thanks to cross-filing. Westphal (553) and Bridy (472) however, fell short on the Republican side.

The Republican primary also featured a significant number of unresolved write-in votes (3,358), suggesting a potential protest vote or strategic move that may complicate the final ballot lineup depending on certification.

Cross-Filing Shapes the Race

Under Pennsylvania’s school board election rules, candidates may cross-file, allowing them to appear on both party ballots. Lofton, Westphal, and Williams appear poised to advance on both the Democratic and Republican lines, giving them a distinct advantage in the general election. 

Saylor and Larson, the only Thrive4PV candidates to cross the 1,000 votes, will move forward on the Republican line.

This dynamic leaves PV Forward with three potential cross-party nominees and Thrive4PV with two, setting up a November contest that will likely pit the competing visions of each slate head-to-head.

Controversy Casts Shadow Over Campaign

The campaign season was not without conflict. The Montgomery County Republican Committee filed a lawsuit against PV Forward, alleging the slate mailed misleading Republican sample ballots that included Democratic candidates, potentially confusing voters. The case remains pending but underscores the heightened tensions and stakes in this school board election.

As the November election approaches, voters will be asked to choose the direction of public education in Perkiomen Valley — with issues such as curriculum policy, transparency, and fiscal priorities at the forefront.