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Voter Turnout High for Pike County D.A. Race

BLOOMING GROVE TOWNSHIP — Voter turnout is reportedly light across much of our area, except perhaps in Pike County where the district attorney who is vote...

BLOOMING GROVE TOWNSHIP -- Voter turnout is reportedly light across much of our area, except perhaps in Pike County where the district attorney who is voted into office will likely end up prosecuting a high-profile cop killing suspect.

Poll workers in Blooming Grove Township say this Election Day rivals a presidential election with so many voters turning out because of the race for district attorney.

The incumbent, Ray Tonkin, lost the Republican primary but ended up on the ballot as a Democrat and this election should settle who'll handle the prosecution of Eric Frein.

Any other year, Republican district attorney candidate Kelly Gaughan might cruise to victory in a GOP-heavy Pike County.

But incumbent D.A. Ray Tonkin was able to stay on the ballot by winning a spot on the Democratic ticket back in May, setting up a political slugfest to the finish.

Voters were not surprised to see the large political machine near Lake Wallenpaupack, with campaign supporters of both candidates going after each vote.

Voters at polling places in Pike County have had to go past campaigns and people asking for their votes in a very hotly contested D.A. race.

"There's a lot of buzz as far as the district attorney. That's the main one everyone's concerned about," said Robert Regenye of Greentown.

"This is the biggest I ever saw," said Butch Shoemaker of Palmyra Township. "I think because of Eric Frein case most of all."

The winner will likely end up prosecuting Frein, the man accused of murdering state police Corporal Bryon Dickson in last year's ambush at the Blooming Grove barracks.

Dickson's mother was at the polling place in Blooming Grove supporting Tonkin.

"I'm here. I want the best representation for Bryon. I'm his mother," said Darla Dickson.

Darla Dickson wore a picture of her son over her heart and spoke to voters on their way in to cast their ballots.

Gaughan supporters question the fact that Tonkin has the mother of a slain trooper working so hard for the campaign.

"Even some of the people who've met her sympathize and feel for her, but the fact it is happening is offensive to a lot of people," said Gaughan supporter Nick Mazza.

Some polling places had hundreds of voters through the door before noon, higher than in most other years.

Pike County also has a commissioners race that's getting people out to the polls, but in most cases, voters say they're here to help decide the district attorney's race.

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