Eight candidates–five republicans, three democrats–vied for five seats on Marple Newtown School District's School Board of Directors on Tuesday's election.

The five republicants, which included incumbents Richard Sokorai and Fred Dewey along with newcomers Jamie Mariano, Sherry-Lee McAuliffe and Robert Sack, took the win for the five, four-year term seats on the School Board.

Marple Township Republican Committee Chairman Pat Larkin addressed the endorsed candidates on election night with a congratulatory speech.

"We banded together like we always do," said Larkin. "I was very proud to watch our group do this from afar–you make it happen."

After the votes were counted for and their winning results came in, both Mariano and McAuliffe shared they were "excited" and "anxious" to start on the School Board.

"The biggest thing is going in there unbiased," said newcomer Mariano, a mother of three young children. "It's keeping the kids in mind and to go with your gut feeling."

For McAuliffe, who has been temporarily serving on the School Board as Newtown Township Supervisor Ed Partridge's replacement, serving on the new Board will be "bittersweet."

"I'm looking forward to continue on. I'm invested not only as a parent but as a homeowner," said McAuliffe, who has two young children currently attending Russell Elementary School. "It'll be nice to start fresh with a new board but at the same time, I'll miss working with the old board."

Some of the big challenges the two newcomers project to grapple with is the completion of Marple Newtown High School's renovations project and the Gauntlett Community Center's construction as well as the budget.

"One of the biggest things is trying to keep taxes low and minimal, and to keep the budget in perspective," said Mariano.

Though the three democrats fell short in this year's election, it won't be the last time the community will hear about the democrats.

Marple Newtown Democratic Party Chairman Tony Campisi said, "We're obviously disappointed but we'll keep monitoring the school district and both townships. We'll be back in two years."

Campisi believe a one-party board will only hinder the community. "We can't let one party make decisions for a township. Public police will suffer."

View the chart below for the total number of votes for each candidate. The winners are listed in bold.

Marple Newtown School District

Five, four-year term, total openings on the Marple Newtown School Board.

View other Marple Newtown Patch and Delaware County election results below.

Marple Township and Newtown Township 2011 Election Results

Delaware County 2011 Election Results