Updated May 30, 2025 7:15 p.m.
Frank W. Peranteau Sr, was hesitant to say in public spaces and on social media that he could fully claim the title of Bristol Borough Mayor-elect, repeating the thought during Memorial Day services Monday morning.
That apparently changed late Friday afternoon when. according to representative for the the former judge, any doubt about what is going to happen next was erased when county officials said Peranteau beat current Mayor Ralph DiGuiseppe III on the Republican side of the ballot “…winning write-in battle 266 to 170.
“My good friend Mark Kolesar offered to represent me. Once there he contacted me via text with the words “Congratulations future Bristol Borough Mayor!” I won the Republican write-in battle 266 to 170. With that win and my win on the Democrat side I received 1,145 votes in total allowing me to defeat my opponent by 122 votes. I would like to thank all of those voters who came out and believed in my message of change. More importantly I want to thank all of my family, friends and supporters for being there for me.”
DiGuiseppe III has yet to respond to requests for comment sent out hours after unofficial results showed him losing the primary race between the men to be goodwill ambassador and oversee the fire and police departments. DiGuiseppe III was appointed to the position three years ago after the death of former Mayor Joe Saxton who passed after a long valiant fight with cancer.
Interestingly enough it was Peranteau who swore in DiGuiseppe III when he was appointed by Council to fill the vacancy.
Credit: Jeff Bohen, Lower Bucks Source
“For those who did not support me I encourage you to join with us as we hopefully embark on a new era for the citizens of Bristol Borough. I have no hidden agenda as some have said I have. My pledge to every resident of Bristol is that I will strive every day to always do what is right for all of the people that I serve. I am honored to represent you in the same manner as I have for the past 32 years,” the Mayor-elect said.
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It could get a little awkward at Bristol Borough Council meetings beginning in January if the results of Tuesday night’s municipal primary hold up with retired Bristol Borough District Judge Frank W. Peranteau, a Democrat, besting current sitting Mayor Ralph DiGuiseppe III by 24 votes, according to unofficial final results.
Peranteau, according to the voter breakdown by precincts, clinched the race with overwhelming support from the borough’s north ward first precinct (126 to 49). There was no other voting spread comparable throughout the borough.
Credit: Bucks County Board of Elections
Peranteau faced a tough challenge with a significant majority of Bristol’s elected officials who openly campaigned for and supported DiGuiseppe III. This should make council meetings very interesting as far as dynamics go. Added further to the intrigue is the now icy relationship that exists between the retired judge and current Chief of Police Joe Moors, which dates back when the borough sought to hire a new police chief.
The race between the two well-established politicos was hotly contested. Supporters for both candidates took to social media highlighting each candidate’s strengths. For Peranteau, public safety and his decades long experience in law enforcement, including a stint as Chief of Police in Bristol, apparently won the day over DiGuiseppe’s realtor/business success.
Lower Bucks Source received reports on Election Day that one, and up to three, voting machine/scanner(s) went down during voting. Emails to county officials seeking information on the reports did not earn any response as of Thursday morning.
DiGuiseppe III, as it stands now, could move on to the General Election if 10 or more voters wrote him in on the Republican side. According to the unofficial final results, there were 439 Republican write-in votes.
Neither candidate responded to requests for comment Wednesday, however Peranteau took to social media late Wednesday night and said the following:
I have been in contact with the Board of Election regarding the republican write-in votes. They advised they may be completed by tomorrow afternoon or Friday at the latest. As I was yesterday, I am still cautiously optimistic as to the final results. The good thing is I won the democrat race. When I get more news, I will let everyone know. I just want to say no matter the outcome of the write-in vote count I am extremely proud of my campaign team. They showed great spirit all day yesterday. So, many thanks to my friends and family for all of their hard work yesterday. To my many, many supporters who have followed me and encouraged me on during the campaign I thank you from the bottom of my heart. There were times when I needed a lift, and you all gave me it!! I will try my hardest to never let you down and I will serve you to the best of my ability as I have for the past 35 years. You are the best!!
May 27 is the last day for the County Board of Elections to receive voted military and overseas absentee ballots (submitted for delivery no later than 11:59 pm on May 19) with the board scheduled to meet, if necessary, on May 27 and May 28 for provisional and issued ballot review for candidates and authorized representatives. The county election certification meeting is scheduled for June 2 at 9 am at the administration building in Doylestown.
In related Bristol election news, incumbents Maria Figueroa (north ward) Betty Rodriguez (west ward) Lorraine Cullen (east ward) and Ralph DiGuiseppe Sr (south ward), all Democrats, will retain their seats since they faced no challengers. One interesting tidbit/observation to share, is that Cullen supporters showed up at the polls in a big way. The councilwoman representing the east ward earned 512 votes. No other council members came close to that vote total Tuesday.