Rated one of Pennsylvania's top blog/sites, the LuLac Political Letter delves into issues of politics on all levels (with special concentration on Luzerne and Lackawanna Counties: thus the name LULAC) and pop culture. The LuLac Political Letter was also named Best Political Blog of the Year for 2014 by NEPA BLOGCON and most recently David Yonki was named Best Blogger of the year 2015 by the publication Diamond City.
ELECTION
DAY
VOTE
To those who mailed it in or dropped it off
THANK YOU
TV TONIGHT
posted by David Yonki @ 7:36 AM
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LULAC
2026 ELECTION PREVIEW
The Lu
GOVERNOR
JOSH SHAPIRO
Josh Shapiro is running for a second term, and it looks like he will be running away with the election. There wasn’t a week that went by that the Governor promote what he was doing as well as his Cabinet and staff people,.
As Governor Removed four‑year degree requirements for 92% of state government jobs.
Signed bipartisan legislation expanding preventive cancer screening coverage.
Implemented automatic voter registration.
Oversaw rapid reopening of I‑95 after a major collapse.
Attorney General of Pennsylvania (2017–2023)
Known for releasing the statewide grand jury report on Catholic clergy abuse and negotiating major opioid settlements.
Montgomery County Commissioner (2012–2017)
Served as chair; helped Democrats gain control of the county board for the first time in over a century.
Pennsylvania House of Representatives (2005–2012)
Represented the 153rd district. Shapiro
As Governorthe Shapiro motto was “Getting stuff done” as he and his administration traveled the state promoting the projects. Ha has been mentioned as a possible Presidential candidate in Luzerne County.
STACEY GARRITTY
is an American politician, businesswoman, and former United States Army Reserve officer who has served as the 79th treasurer of Pennsylvania since 2021. A Republican, she defeated incumbent Democrat Joe Torsella in 2020 despite being outraised and trailing in polls.[1] She won reelection in 2024, defeating Democratic challenger Erin McClelland with 51.9% of the vote.
Garrity served for 30 years in the Army Reserve, deploying three times during the Gulf and Iraq Wars and earning the nickname "The Angel of the Desert." She retired as a colonel in 2016. She worked at Global Tungsten & Powders Corp. from 1987 to 2021, rising to vice president. In 2019, she lost the Republican primary for Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district to Fred Keller. In August 2025, she announced her candidacy for governor of Pennsylvania in 2026.
Garrity was born on May 17, 1964, in Athens, Pennsylvania. She attended Sayre Area High School in Sayre, Pennsylvania and later graduated from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania with a degree in finance and economics, later earning a certificate from the Cornell University Business Management Institute.
LTN. GOVERNOR
AUSTIN DAVIS
Lt. Gov. Austin A. Davis is the youngest Lieutenant Governor in the country and the first Black Lieutenant Governor in Commonwealth history. Inspired by the history-makers who came before—leaders like Pennsylvania House Speaker K. Leroy Irvis and State Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert Nix Jr.—Austin is determined to motivate a new generation of public servants to break even more barriers.
JASON RICHEY
8TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
PAIGE COGNETTI
Cognetti jas been serving since 2020 as mayor of Scranton, Pennsylvania. She is the first woman to be mayor of the city and won her seat in a special election. A member of the Democratic Party, she ran her first Scranton mayoral campaign as an independent. She is the Democratic nominee for Pennsylvania's 8th congressional district in 2026. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of Oregon with a Bachelor of Arts in English literature and Romance languages, and earned a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School.
She served on the Scranton School Board, in the Auditor General’s office and has been Mayort of Scranton since2019 when she won a special election.
ROB BRESNEHAN
Born Robert Paul Bresnahan Jr. on April 22, 1990, in Kingston, Pennsylvania, Bresnahan grew up in Wyoming Borough and Hughestown, He graduated from Wyoming Seminary in 2008 and earned a B.S. in business administration from the University of Scranton in 2012, also playing on the golf team
Before entering Congress, Bresnahan worked in his grandfather’s third‑generation electrical contracting business, Kuharchik Construction, rising from chief financial officer at age 19 to CEO in 2013 He later founded RPB Ventures, focusing on revitalizing historic buildings in Pittston, PA, and expanding the business through partnerships Bresnahan entered the 8th District race in 2023, defeating Cartwright in November 2024. He now serves on the House Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Small Business, and Agriculture.
9th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
RACHAEL WALLACE
Rachel Wallace is the Democratic nominee for Pennsylvania’s 9th Congressional District in the 2026 general election, running against incumbent Rep. Dan Meuser (R).
A Pottsville native and ninth‑generation Pennsylvanian, Wallace has held multiple federal roles, including Chief of Staff for the White House Office of Management and Budget (2021–2023), positions at the U.S. State Department, the U.S. Senate, and for former Rep. Tim Holden.
DAN MEUSER
Dan Meuser is a conservative problem solver and brings his experience as a proven job creator and former Revenue Secretary of Pennsylvania to Congress. Dan joined Pride Mobility Products in 1988, a small healthcare products manufacturer that he helped grow into the worldwide industry leader in power mobility products. Dan served as President of Pride USA for seven years.
From 2011-2015, Dan served as Pennsylvania’s Secretary of Revenue. There he worked to transform the Department of Revenue from a traditional tax collection agency into a taxpayer advocacy agency.
In 2019, Dan Meuser was sworn in as a member of the 116th Congress representing Pennsylvania’s 9th Congressional District. Congressman Meuser, now in his fourth term, currently serves on the House Financial Services Committee where he is the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations. He also serves on the House Small Business Committee.
STATE SENATOR 22nd DISTRICT
MARTY FLYNN
SHARON SPORANO
Sharon Soltis Sparano is the Republican candidate for Pennsylvania’s State Senate District 22, running on November 3, 2026, against Democratic incumbent Marty Flynn
According to her official campaign site, Sparano was raised in Throop, Pennsylvania, an area historically impacted by coal mining and industrial pollution
. She pursued a career as a pharmacist, practicing in Lackawanna County and serving as a primary care provider in the community
Advocating for environmental protections, such as helping declare the Marjol Battery site a Superfund location after lead contamination
Serving as President of the Throop City Council, the first woman elected to that role.
STATE REPRESENTATIVE RACES
116th
DANE WATRO
DANE WATRO, first elected in 2022, running unopposed.
117th
JAMIE WALSH
Jamie Walsh is the Republican State Representative for Pennsylvania’s 117th Legislative District, serving parts of Luzerne County since January 7, 2025
Rep. Walsh represents a district that includes numerous townships and boroughs in Luzerne County, such as Black Creek, Butler, Conyngham, Dennison, Dorrance, Fairmount, Foster, Hollenback, Hunlock, Huntington, Lake, Lehman, Nescopeck, Ross, Salem, Slocum, Sugarloaf, and Union
118th
JIM HADDOCK
James L. Haddock is the Democratic candidate for Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 118, running in the November 3, 2026 general election.
He has served as the Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House for the 118th District since January 2023. sponsored 493 bills and resolutions Served on six committees, including Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities, Game and Fisheries, and Insurance
Advocated on issues such as labor and employment, healthcare, transportation, and economic development. Recent actions include securing multi‑million‑dollar state grants for transportation, community development, and infrastructure projects..
JOHN LOMBARDO
Lombardo, 32, of Pittston, has been a first responder his entire adult life, keeping citizens safe in Pittston and throughout Northeast Pennsylvania. He earned a strong reputation as a County Councilman who is a commonsense leader and trusted bipartisan official willing to work with Republicans, Democrats, and Independents to deliver real results for the county residents he serves. He said he has been a consistent champion for affordability in Northeast Pennsylvania, including delivering grants to small businesses, millions of dollars for low-income citizens, and tens of thousands of meals for seniors and food-insecure children.
As a leader of the County Council, Lombardo has helped secure more than $100 million in federal, state, and county funds for revitalization, restoration, and reconstruction projects at local landmarks and green spaces, supporting preservation and economic development. He also secured over $10 million in funding for local first responders.
119th
LAUREN McCURDY
McCurdy, a longtime school director and current president of the Crestwood School Board, said her decision to run stems from years of first-hand experience seeing how state decisions shape the daily lives of families across the district. “I am running because the people of the 119th District deserve a representative who shows up, listens, and follows through,” McCurdy said. “For years, I have worked on behalf of students, families, and taxpayers in my community. I have seen how decisions made in Harrisburg affect our schools, our property taxes, and our economic stability. We need representation that understands those realities and is focused on delivering results.”
During her service on the school board, McCurdy has built a reputation for independent judgment, transparency, and advocacy for students and families. She said that experience gave her a clear understanding of how state funding systems affect local communities, particularly when it comes to education, special education, and property tax pressures.
ALEC RYNCAVAGE
Alec Ryncavage, of Plymouth, is honored to bring his unique experiences forging his own non-traditional pathway to define a new chapter for the people of the 119th Legislative District in Luzerne County and deliver prosperity for all of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Alec has been appointed to the following committees for the 2025-26 Legislative Session: Consumer Protection, Technology & Utilities, Finance, Gaming Oversight, Local Government, and Transportation.
Beginning his career as a freelance website developer in middle school and as a product of the internet age, Alec has dedicated his career to public service and entrepreneurship. First elected to public office at the age of 18, Alec spent his time outside of his technology business as a councilman for his hometown of Plymouth, where he led the revitalization of its historic downtown Main Street and was a fiscal watchdog.
120th
FERN LEARD
Leard is now running for the third time in this district. Fern Leard is a Democratic candidate for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 120, representing Dallas Township, and is on the ballot for the November 3, 2026 general election Leard, 41, is running to challenge incumbent Republican Rep. Brenda Pugh.
. She first announced her run in January 2026, stating her goal is to bring “a fighter” and “a voice that comes from our communities” to the district. Her campaign site, votefern4pa.com, offers her biography, issue positions, volunteer sign‑up, and donor information
A native of Northeast Pennsylvania, Leard is the mother of twins, has lived in public housing, rural areas, and suburbs, and has been a healthcare advocate for over a decade.She worked in pediatrics and elder care, earned a Nurse Aide Certification from Marywood University, and spent more than 10 years in Washington, D.C., lobbying for legislation such as the federal Lymphedema Treatment Act, which expanded access to medically necessary care. She has said her personal experience — including growing up in foster care — shaped her commitment to working families.
BRENDA PUGH
Rep. Brenda Pugh is the Republican incumbent for Pennsylvania’s 120th Legislative District, first elected in 2024, with priorities on tax limits, public safety, jobs, education reform, and government accountability. Pugh serves the 120th Legislative District, which includes parts of Luzerne County and towns such as Courtdale, Edwardsville, Exeter, Forty Fort, Kingston, Luzerne, Pringle, Swoyersville, West Pittston, West Wyoming, and Wyoming boroughs
She is in her first term in the Pennsylvania House, assuming office December 1, 2024.
121st
JESSICA McCLAY
Jessica McClay is the chair of the Wilkes‑Barre City Council and a Democrat running for Pennsylvania’s 121st Legislative District State Representative, with endorsements from the current representative, Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski.
McClay has been serving as Council Chairperson since January 2026, following her first term on council after winning a four‑year term in November 2024 She represents District E and is a lifelong resident of Wilkes‑Barre’s North End Prior to chair, she was vice chair in 2025 and has held roles on the Planning Commission, Fire/Civil Service Commission, and Traffic Committee
A 51‑year‑old local leader, McClay graduated from James M. Coughlin High School and earned a bachelor’s degree from Bloomsburg University She has been active in community service for over 30 years, including coaching youth softball and ball for 15 years.
MICHAEL HAROSTOCK
Mike Harostock is the newly elected mayor of Bear Creek Village Borough, sworn in January 13, 2026, succeeding longtime mayor Walter Mitchell
He succeeded Walter Mitchell, who served 32 years from the borough’s incorporation in 1993 until his retirement Harostock, a scientist and inventor by trade, has a career in medical device research, supply chain logistics, and information technology, and currently leads new technology and product development at his family-owned information services company Born and raised in Luzerne County, Harostock is a Penn State graduate with advanced degrees from Drexel University, The Commonwealth Medical College, and Villanova University He is known for his community engagement, serving on boards such as the Chamber of Commerce and a local youth camp, coaching high school sports, and directing local
As a candidate for State Representative, Harostock says a new generation has to go to Harrisburg to provide new leadership.
.The Lac
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STATE SENATE
22nd District
MARTY FLYNN
Senator Marty Flynn was born and raised in Scranton, PA, and is a graduate of Scranton Preparatory School, class of 1994, where he excelled in baseball, football, and wrestling. He then attended Marywood University, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Legal Studies. While at Marywood, he began boxing, and eventually embarked upon a decade-long professional career. Upon retiring from the sport, Flynn worked as the Inmate Education and Program Coordinator at Lackawanna County Prison, where he also served as Chairman of the Prison Misconduct Board.
Flynn entered the world of government in 2013, when he was elected to serve the 113thDistrict of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, a role he had for more than eight years. On June 9, 2021, he began a new chapter in his political career when he was sworn in as Senator of Pennsylvania’s 22nd Senatorial District.
In the Senate, Flynn is a member of the Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure Committee, Labor & Industry Committee, Law & Justice Committee, and is the Democratic Chair of the Transportation Committee. Since being in this role, Senator Flynn has been the leader in holding the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission accountable for more than $150 million in uncollected Turnpike tolls.
SHARON SOLTIS SPARANO
Sharon Soltis is a retired pharmacist with 38 years of service and the first woman elected to the Throop Borough council at age 27, later serving as council president She has been active in environmental advocacy for decades, including through her group Power: Protectors of Water, Wildlife, Environment and Resources.
, Soltis Sparano’s key issues include:
Opposition to large-scale data center development in the district, citing environmental concerns
Environmental protection as a long-term priority
Support for taxing skill games (without specifying which ones.
She has also emphasized her experience in local government and her commitment to environmental stewardship.
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STATE REPRESENTATIVE
112th
KYLE MULLINS
JOSEPH SABIA, JUNIOR
113th
KYLE DONAHUE
Donahue represents this district and services on Gaming Oversight Committee, House Judiciary Committee, House Labor & Industry Committee and House Local Government Committee.
FUN FACT: The 111th is represented by Kyle Devlin making the 111th, 112th, and 113th the Trifecta of Kyles. Devlin represents Forest City and Honesdale and other areas in Wayne and Susquehanna County.
LUCAS O’BRIEN
O’Brien is a Sales and Marketing Lead at Edwards Investments in Moscow, PA, with prior roles as a production technician at Sanofi, a technology specialist at MileOne Autogroup, and various independent sales positions
. He is also a member of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) and has experience engaging with business owners in Lackawanna and Wyoming counties on legislative and federal issues
114th
BRIDGET MALLOY KOSIEROWSKI
LOGAN LOMBARDO
Lombardo says he is running because Pennsylvania needs leadership that understands the real‑world challenges of working families. He cites rising costs — from groceries to homeownership — as key issues affecting the district, and believes representation should come from people who live and experience these challenges firsthand.
115th
MAUREEN MADDEN
RICH SZABO
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posted by David Yonki @ 6:00 PM
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MONDAY MEMES
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posted by David Yonki @ 7:06 AM
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FDA APPROVES CH ANGE
IN SODIUM FOODS
Your next grilled cheese could come with a little less sodium, thanks to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
On Oct. 9, the FDA announced a final rule to “permit the use of salt substitutes in foods with standards of identity that specify salt as a required or optional ingredient.” Once most of the changes take effect on Dec. 14, manufacturers can replace some or all of the added salt in dozens of grocery staples with lower-sodium alternatives.
As Food & Wine previously reported, the FDA began setting standards of identity (SOIs) in 1939, when products sold as jam sometimes contained very little fruit. The goal was to promote “honesty and fair dealing” and ensure the “characteristics, ingredients and production processes of specific foods are consistent with what consumers expect.” The agency has since created more than 250 of them, which is why your ketchup can’t be called ketchup (an ideal pairing for that gilled cheese) unless it’s made from tomatoes and seasoned with vinegar, a sweetener, and spices or flavorings such as onion and garlic, according to the FDA. It also has to pass a thickness test as part of that standard, flowing no more than 14 centimeters in 30 seconds.
Until now, most of those standards didn’t allow salt substitutes, so a company that wanted to reduce sodium in its mozzarella or sandwich bread couldn’t use one and still call the product mozzarella or bread. The final rule updates 80 of those standards to allow salt substitutes, and because 59 others are tied to them, the change affects 139 foods in total, including cheddar, cream cheese, mayonnaise, maple syrup, milk chocolate, canned tuna, and yes, ketchup.
The FDA didn’t name specific substitutes, but it did so on purpose so the rule covers ingredients available now and those developed later. Potassium chloride came up often in public comments as a potential alternative, with the FDA noting that some comments said that “the use of potassium chloride may give a bitter or metallic taste to food but [suggested] that research supports replacement of sodium with potassium chloride below certain levels to help avoid the bitter or metallic taste.”
Iodized Salt Was Once a Public Health Miracle — So Why Did We Stop Using It?
Although the FDA used potassium chloride as an example in its proposed rule, it noted that “the final rule does not limit salt substitutes to only potassium-based ingredients.” It also cited research on other potential substitutes, including yeast extracts, MSG, amino acids, and dairy extracts. Whatever companies choose to use as a substitute must be “safe and suitable” and perform the same function salt did in that food, whether adding flavor or helping preserve it.
What does “low sodium” actually mean?
Just because a food contains a salt substitute doesn’t mean it’s low in sodium. The FDA has specific requirements for the claims manufacturers can make on food packaging, and some terms mean very different things. Here’s what those labels actually mean:
Sodium-free: Less than 5 milligrams of sodium per serving.
Very low sodium: 35 milligrams or less per serving.
Low sodium: 140 milligrams or less per serving.
Reduced sodium: At least 25% less sodium than the regular version.
No salt added: No salt was added during processing, but the food may still contain naturally occurring sodium.
These are the FDA’s general definitions, and some products have additional labeling requirements. To see how much sodium you’re actually getting, check the Nutrition Facts panel and pay attention to serving sizes.
The change also has strong support, including from the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA). On Oct. 14, Michael Dykes, the president and CEO of the IDFA, said his organization “welcomes FDA’s final rule permitting the use of salt substitutes in standardized foods, including many dairy products and cheeses. This update provides dairy manufacturers with additional flexibility to reduce sodium while maintaining product quality, safety, and consumer expectations.”
Dykes added, “IDFA has long supported this approach and urged FDA to finalize the rule as part of broader standards of identity modernization efforts. We also appreciate FDA’s commitment to further evaluating progress under existing sodium reduction targets and encourage the completion of the evaluation before considering future actions.”
This Salt Tastes Like a Splash of Red Wine — and You Can Make It at Home
The goal, the FDA said, is to help Americans reduce sodium intake over time. The FDA noted in its statement that “Americans consume too much sodium. Excess sodium increases the risk of high blood pressure, a leading cause of heart disease and stroke. The final rule supports the Make America Healthy Again initiative and the FDA’s broader sodium reduction efforts, including the multi-phase Voluntary Sodium Reduction Goals, which encourage industry to gradually reduce the sodium content of their products across the U.S. food supply.”
It’s important to note that you shouldn’t expect your pantry to change overnight. The rule is both new and voluntary, so it’s up to companies to decide what to do. But when things do change, you’ll still know what’s in your food because substitutes must also be listed by name. So “salt” will always be “salt,” while “potassium chloride” will appear as “potassium chloride” or “potassium salt.”
posted by David Yonki @ 5:32 AM
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YOU'RE MY SOUL AND INSPIRATION
LIGHTNING STRIKES
CRY
posted by David Yonki @ 9:45 AM
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Political analyst for WBRE TV's Pa. Live program and post election commentator for WBRE TV's Eyewitness News Daybreak show. Author of the book "A Radio Story/We Wish You Well In Your Future Endeavors" and "Leges Vitae" "26 Rules of Life" and the new novel, "Weather Or Knot". The blog editor also writes various news articles and columns as well as upcoming literary projects. The blog editor was a frequent guest on WYOU TV'S INTERACTIVE NEWSCASTS when political issues were discussed on the national, state and local level. Yonki was a weekly panelist on WYLN TV 35's Friday Topic A program. He also appeared on the Hazleton, PA. station on Election Night doing coverage and did special projects and stories for WYLN TV 35's 10PM Newscast "Late Edition".
