The LuLac Edition #3773, May 6th, 2018

YOUNG DEMOCRATS, OLD DEMOCRATS, FIRED UP DEMOCRATS-ROCK AND ROLL SATURDAY AT WILKES

About 100 people jammed a ballroom on Saturday afternoon getting hyped up over the chances of Democrats in the 2018 Elections. Put together by the Young Democrats of Wilkes College and with help from the Luzerne County Democratic Women and guys like Tom Bindus, the event was a success in no small part to Dominic Butchko and Madison Kaminski for spearheading the event. The afternoon was well organized, and very professional in the swift and informative program as well as the central and very conducive surroundings of the campus.
It was called Pizza, Pop, & Politics and was a virtual who’s who of local Democratic office holders and candidates. Since the current party Chairman Tony DeCosmo seems to be missing in action (not giving him an unreasonable shot here because I haven’t seen the GOP Chair around lately either at their events) and the party is disjointed and unorganized, this event had independent legs of its own. But any slack was more than taken up with this event that attracted the State Party Chairman Jack Hanna. When a State Chair comes to your event, you know a gathering like this is viewed as important.
Hanna served as Master of Ceremonies and the candidates had their say. Remarks were made by incumbent Lt. Governor Mike Stack, resplendent in a cobalt blue sport coat. Leaping on the stage, Stack gave an energized speech. He was followed by Mayor John Fetterman of Braddock and Ray Sosa, the first Hispanic on a statewide ticket. Kathi Cazzone had a family emergency. Fetterman talked about how he tuned his city around with intervention for young people struggling in the town. He won an election by just one vote but has put the once proud town on a sensible economic track. Sosa said that a run for office should be viewed as a job interview.
There is opposition in this normally placid race because of the issues that Mike Stack has had with Governor Wolf as well as matters with his staff at the second in command’s mansion.
Congressman Matt Cartwright wowed the crowd, and in a very classy and oblique speech pointed out how Democratic values needed to prevail. Cartwright made the point beautifully without getting into the clown show going on in D.C. Cartwright is in the new 8th District.
9th Congressional District Candidates Denny Wolff gave his pitch about how Agriculture and Economic Development go hand in hand. Laura Quick, a union member said she would work for the people in the trenches. State Representatives: Rep. Gerry Mullery from the 119th, Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski from the 121rst and Rep. Mike Carroll from the 118th gave their pitches.
Democratic State Committee Candidates I interacted with Wendy Cominsky, Tom Shubilla Memo Lara and Nicarol Soto were front and center. Cominsky ran a great campaign for County Council despite facing odds within and out of the party. Her energy and talent NEEDS to be on the State Committee. Shubilla is a stand out young man who has a great future and room needs to be made for people like Lara and Soto.
It was great seeing Wilkes Barre City Officials, as well as officers from the local NAACP Chapter,  Attorney Guerline L. Laurore, David Barber, and Erika Petrole. Also in attendance was Ben Hoon, aka Gort 42 and political wise man Bob Caruso. 

 Congressman Matt Cartwright with State Chair Jack Hanna. 

State Committee Candidate Wendy Cominsky with Mayor Tony George . 

Two hard working guys in the city of Wilkes Barre. Councilman from District B Tony Brooks and City Administrator Ted Wampole. 

Eddie Pashinski, Mike Carroll, Polly Delaney, Jerry Mullery and Wendy Cominsky.

State Committee candidates — with Wendy Cominsky, Marilyn Calderon, Alisha Hoffman-Mirilovich, Thomas M. Shubilla and Nicarol Soto.

Gort 42 and yours truly. (Photos: LuLac, Ben Hoon, Tom Bindus)

MEDIA MATTERS

Glad to see our friend Chris Langlois, the Morning anchor for Eyewitness News in the Morning on WBRE/WYOU with his girlfriend Isabella Nicole at the premier horse racing event, The Kentucky Derby. 

 Here's a great photo from his Facebook page.