The LuLac Edition #5, 660, May 18th,2026

 

PRIMARY ELECTION

PREVIEW

2026

GOVERNOR’S RACE

There is a Governor race and on the Democratic side Josh Shapiro and Austin Davis are running unopposed. On the Republican ticket Treasurer Stacey Garritty is being opposed in a strictly vanity MAGA campaign by multi point loser reactionary Doug Mastriano. For Lt. Governor there is a contest between Jason Richey and John Ventre. Garritty has resorted to attacking  him for cost overruns at the Mansion which was nearly destroyed to kill he and his family.

The serious stuff will begin after the primary.

CONTEST STATE REP RACES

17th Legislative District

 

Republican Bill Jones is challenging incumbent Republican Rep. Jamie Walsh for their party’s nomination in the race for the 117th Legislative District. This will be a sanity test for the soul of the Republican party.  In 2024 Jamie Walsh beat a traditional Republican incumbent by 4 votes. So there was no mandate for MAGA, just a guy and a Trump movement that outworked the incumbent. Jones has run a relentless campaign. His media has been brilliant (Mr. Bob Harper btw) and he has countered the attacks leveled at him by Walsh.

Walsh on the other hand really doesn’t give a rat’s ass as to who he joins forces with. He’s come out Againt multi term Senator Lisa Baker and endorsed Tyler Meyers who seemed to be caressing an AR15 gun in one of his ads. Walsh formed a parent’s organization that fired people up and garnered him support for the MAGA issues. He seems to want to ride the  anti data center movement which the public is solidly behind.

This race will be a barometer of not only this district but the county. The winner will face Democrat Jeremy Benscoter, who is running unopposed, in November.  : Townships of Black Creek, Butler, Conyngham, Dennison, Dorrance, Fairmount, Foster, Hollenback, Hunlock, Huntington, Lake, Lehman, Nescopeck, Ross, Salem, Slocum, Sugarloaf, and Union, and boroughs of Conyngham, Dallas, Freeland, Harveys Lake, Jeddo, Nescopeck, New Columbus, Nuangola, Penn Lake Park, Shickshinny, and White Haven make up this district.

 

120^th LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT

Fern Leard and Luzerne County Councilwoman Joanna Bryn Smith are vying for the Democratic nomination for the 120th District state representative seat. Both ran before, Brynn Smith in 2020 against Aaron Kaufer and Leard in 2022 losing to Kaufer and then again in 2024 to Brenda Pugh.  Both candidates have backing from two separate wings of the party, the regular Democratic which was headed by Thom Shubilla until the Christmas coup and the Independent Democrats formed as a result of the change.  Both have levels of support but this race inside the party and its victor will tell more about the direction of the party than whether Brenda Pugh can be beaten.

Both are good candidates with stories to tell and personal and professional achievements that are laudable. But in the 60 years this district has only elected one Democratic candidate and that’s because of the registration edge.

The 120th District includes the townships of Dallas, Franklin, Exeter, Kingston, and Jackson, and the boroughs of West Wyoming, Forty Fort, Wyoming, Exeter, Kingston, Luzerne, Courtdale, and Pringle. 

 

121st Legislative District

When Eddie Day Pashinski decided to retire after twenty years of great service, a mad scramble went happened when a number of candidates entered the race. Out of the 5 running, two were left standing. The are Jessica McClay and Michael Stadulis.

McClay, 51, is a longtime resident of the North End of Wilkes-Barre and was elected to city council in 2024, where she was appointed as chairperson this year. McClay helped draft an ordinance to better regulate food trucks in the city that was passed in March.

Prior to being on city council, McClay served as a volunteer on the city’s Planning and Fire/Civil Service Commission, as well as the Traffic Committee.

Stadulis has 25 years of experience as a first responder and spent the final seven years of his career as chief medic. His platform is rooted in supporting quality education for all students, affordable healthcare, and quality of life for working families.

The big difference here is that McClay has more experience in the nuts and bolts of governing and some feel she can hit the ground running to provide a seamless transition. Eddie Day Pashinski did endorse her and though he has not run, his staff is still a vibrant reminder of the great work done by staffers for idempotents.

The 121st District includes: The townships of Bear Creek, Buck, Plains, and Wilkes-Barre, Bear Creek Village, Laurel Run, and the City of Wilkes-Barre.

The GOP opponents for the fall is Michael Harostek of Bear Creek.

 

STATE SENATE RACES

20^th SENATORIAL

Lisa Baker, the 20 year veteran has been running a very relentless reminder of her service. She is opposed by Tyler Meyers who burst onto the scene as a true MAGA alternative. To all Democratic voters in that Senate district, Senator Baker is conservative enough, thank you very much.

She will be opposed again ion the fall by Democrat Jacklyn Baker.

The district  includes parts of Luzerne County and Wayne County and all of Pike County, Susquehanna County, and Wyoming County.

22^nd SENATORIAL DISTRICT 

Incumbent Marty Flynn is being challenged by Jeff Lake. The two held spirited debates but it appears that Flynn has the edge. The GOP candidate in the fall will be Sharon Sparano.  The 22^nd district includes Parts of Luzerne and Lackawanna County.

 

STATE DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE RACES

TWO SLATES

BUTERA HOSTS DEM PARTY ON ELECTION NIGHT AT RODANO'S

In an unusual situation, there are two slates of candidates along with Democrat Peter Butera who are running for state committee seats. This election will determine whether the Democratic party in Luzerne County can get united. The Executive Committee, in my view has been poisoned by outside influences. Grievances should be overcome and not made public. Democrats need to take a hard look at the tickets and judge accordingly. Th future of the party depends on it.