As AroundAmbler.com has reported over the past week, the elected tax collector of the Borough of Ambler, Jennifer Stomsky, has refused to resign following the publication of statements she made on social media that called for political violence following the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Stomsky later apologized for the comments, but calls to resign came from Ambler’s borough council and Jason Salus, the chair of the Montgomery County Democratic Committee. Other local politicians and party committees have condemned calls for political violence, without naming Stomsky or directly calling for her resignation.

Stomsky remains the incumbent candidate in the November general election for tax collector and has not lost the endorsement of the Montgomery County Democratic Committee. Stomsky will face Bernadette Dougherty (R), the previous tax collector, whom Stomsky defeated in 2017 and 2021.

Is Stomsky beatable in the election?

AroundAmbler.com examined the registration numbers and results of past elections. Here is what we found.

Based on voter data provided by Montgomery County, Democrats hold a significant registration advantage over Republicans, those with no affiliation, and minor parties. At the time of the May 2025 primary, there were 2,642 registered Democrats, 1,140 registered Republicans, and just under 600 marked as Independent or no affiliation. Stomsky starts with a 1,500-voter advantage.

The 2025 election for tax collector is the third election where Stomsky and Dougherty are the candidates. In 2021, Stomsky won comfortably with a 254-vote advantage.

In 2017, when Stomsky first won, she edged out the then incumbent Dougherty by just 19 votes, 743-724.

The 2025 Election – Analysis

Without the recent controversy surrounding Stomsky’s statements, there would be absolutely no way she would lose the upcoming election.

Can Dougherty win in 2025? Dougherty will need a high Republican turnout and a significant number of Democrats not to vote or cross party lines and vote for Dougherty. She also needs a majority of Independents to fall her way.

Thus far, the Ambler Democratic Committee has circled the wagons around Stomsky, and she remains the municipal chair (the leader). So we are not confident that Ambler Democrats will reject Stomsky at the polls.

Graphs – Montgomery County Voter Services