Tuesday was the first day that challenges to petitions to appear on the ballot for the May primary election could be filed. On Tuesday three challenges were filed in Washington County Republican races for commissioner and prothonotary. Commissioner candidate Ashley Duff had her petition challenged regarding employment information. The challenge states that her position as “Home Economist” is misleading and does not qualify as an occupation under Pennsylvania Law. A second candidate for commissioner had his petition challenged due to the lack of required signature totals. Kevin Redford obtained 415 signatures, 244 of them were being challenged leaving him with 171 valid signatures, short of the necessary 250. In a third county race, incumbent prothonotary Laura Hough challenged her opponent, Kevin Hill on his employment description. The plaintiffs in the Redford and Hill challenges were represented by attorney and Washington County Republican Party Chairman Sean Logue. According to County Elections Director Melanie Ostrander, common pleas judges are to have challenge hearings scheduled by March 17.