The Lulac Edition #4,155, November 3rd, 2019

ELECTION 2019 PREVIEW

(logo photo; KTTN)

SUPERIOR COURT RACES

There will be two seats filled on the Pennsylvania Superior Court.
The Superior Court is one of Pennsylvania’s two statewide intermediate appellate courts. This court, which was established in 1895, reviews most of the civil and criminal cases that are appealed from the Courts of Common Pleas in the commonwealth’s 67 counties. The Superior Court consists of 15 judges who serve 10-year terms. The president judge of the Superior Court is elected to a five-year term by his or her colleagues. A huge volume of appeals flows to Superior Court from the trial courts. Generally, appeals are heard by panels of three judges sitting in Philadelphia, Harrisburg or Pittsburgh. The court often is the final arbiter of legal disputes. Although the Supreme Court may grant a petition for review of a Superior Court decision, most such petitions are denied and the ruling of the Superior Court stands.
Democrats Judge Daniel McCaffrey and Amanda Green-Hawkins face off with Republicans Megan McCarthy King and Christylee Peck. Peck is a sitting Judge on the Common Pleas Court of Cumberland County.
Like all high judicial offices, this race will be decided by turnout. The Democrats have been on a winning streak with seats on the higher courts. Given the current climate in the state regarding the President, that might give them the edge. However, these races go by voter gut. So who knows t this point. The name recognition on all four is pretty minimal, so you might just see a split in this campaign, one Democrat, one Republican.
Since there is no great passion for any one of these people running, the voters might pick one Dem and one from the GOP.

SCRANTON MAYOR’S RACE

There is an all out battle brewing in the Democratic party in the Electric City to win the unexpired term of Bill Courtright. Attorney Chris Cullen and Charlie Spano got the endorsements of the parties. But then a court decision allowed independent Dems to run. Cullen is joined now by Paige Cognetti, Kyle Donahue,, Gary St. Fleur, Giovanni Piccolino (who I think has the best signs, they are shaped like a pizza)and Josh Goshleski, The aforementioned Spano rounds out the GOP field. Look for Cullen, Cognetti and Donahue to duke this one out. Donahue, a sitting Councilman seems to be winning the sign war, Cognetti has the support of the new younger Democrats and Cullen has the strong backing of establishment Democrats. If they split, and that’s a big IF and if the Scranton City GOP gets out the vote (which is an even bigger IF, but if by some miracle they do, Charlie Spano just might become Mayor. In The Lac, you never know!

LACKWANNA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

This race is interesting for County Commissioner because only one incumbent survived the primary. That was Jerry Notarianni who won Democratic nomination. His running mate and traitor to the party, Pat O’Malley was bounced by the Dems. Enter Dunmore Attorney Debi Domenick who ran with O’Malley as a team. In effect, she was paired with Notarianni and it wasn’t by choice.
Meanwhile on the Republican side, Laureen Cummings (former LuLac Women We Love awardee) and fervent Trump supporter was chased out of office by the team of Mike Giannetta and Chris Chermak. It appears like that the stronghold of Dunmore will save it for Debi Domenick but she has had some issues thrown at her as well as Gianetta. Look for Notarianni, Chermak and Domenick to be the top three. But do not be surprised if the county GOP makes a strong bid at once more becoming the majority.

LUZERNE COUNTY COUNCIL

This is the equivalent of the County Commissioners race. On the Democratic side, the party s doing everything possible to get a sweep. 6 seats are up and the Dems are running Anup Patel, Tim McGinley, Joe Sebastianelli, Jane Waitkus, Bob Snee and Pat Bilbow. All are united in their campaigning nd message.
On the GOP side, only 5 candidates are up. Greg Wolovich, Walter Griffith, Steve Urban, Leeann McDermott and Kendra Radle. Griffith served as Controller, Urban previously on Council and Wolovich has run before. All three have name recognition. McDermott has been a very viable and articulate presence. Look for one of those four to make a dent on Election Day. But the way the Democrats are uniting, it will be a heavy lift for any of this quartet.
Meantime, here is a video from The League of Women Voters event in October featuring the County Council candidates.

WILKES BARRE MAYOR

George Brown running on both tickets.

WILKES BARRE COUNCIL

John Marconi in District E running on both tickets.
Bill Barrett in District D running against what it appears to be token opposition.
Beth Gilbert C, won the primary as well as Council Chair Mike Belusko and face no opponents.
The only big race is District B with Tony Brooks, Republican incumbent facing off against Mark Shafer a Democrat. While there have been calls for a debate between the two, let’s face it, old fashioned debates don’t exist anymore. But here is a link to the NAACP Forum whee both candidates had the chance to present their views.

WILKES BARRE AREA SCHOOL BOARD

There are 5 sears open on the board. We’ll rely on our friend Mike Buffer from the Citizens’ Voice to explain this thing. He wrote this when Robin Shudak, who was endorsed by Save Our School dropped out. Six candidates are the Nov. 5 ballot, and the top five win four-year terms.
The Rev. Shawn Walker, school board vice president, won a Democratic nomination. Incumbents Mark Atherton and John Quinn won Republican and Democratic nominations, while incumbent Dr. James Susek failed to win a nomination in the primary.
Beth Anne Owens-Harris and Terry Schiowitz won Republican and Democratic nominations. Save Our Schools members are backing Owens-Harris, Schiowitz and two write-in candidates — Debbie Orlando Formola and Jody Busch. Formola was a primary candidate and finished sixth in the Republican and Democratic primaries.
Bottom line is there is one seat contested. But it says something that Save Our School had two double nominees and one wonders had they persuaded others to get in the race earlier, they could have had more.
To see the School Board candidates in action, refer to the NAACP link above this story.

BALLOT QUESTION

Voting “yes” on the ballot question would add a list of 15 victims’ rights to the constitution, including the right to be notified of legal proceedings involving the alleged perpetrator, to speak during trials and parole hearings, to demand speedy trials, to refuse requests for pretrial evidence, and to receive restitution.
Vote YES