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
Jason Richey of Allegheny County is looking to secure the
spot as Pennsylvania's Republican Lt. Governor in the 2026 general
election. Richey has built his own legal
practice and a reputation as one of the "toughest litigators in the
country." He has represented large and small manufacturing, construction
and energy companies, and the highest profile professional wrestling
organization. Richey attended Allegheny College, where he graduated magna cum
laude and was a three-time NCAA Academic All-American wrestler.
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
Flynn a former boxer ran for State Representative in the
early part of the century. He later became State Senator in 2022. Running for another term, he said
the issues he hears about most from residents across Lackawanna and Luzerne
counties are affordability, rising energy and gas costs, protecting voting
rights, quality-of-life concerns, and the growing discussion surrounding
large-scale data center development and artificial intelligence in
Pennsylvania. “Families throughout Northeast Pennsylvania continue to struggle
with the rising cost of groceries, utilities, healthcare, housing, and other
everyday expenses,” Flynn said. “Gas prices and energy costs remain a major
concern in our region — particularly in an area where many residents commute
daily to work, school, medical appointments, and family responsibilities.
Working families, seniors, and small businesses are feeling the pressure from
every direction.”
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
JEREMY BENSCOTER
Benscoter grew up in the 117th district. I lived in
Hunlock Creek, went to Hunlock Creek Elementary, and graduated from Northwest
Area High School. He worked through
college and graduated with a BS in Computer Science from Bloomsburg University.
He came from a family that struggled to put food on the table and had little in
the way of disposable income. He knows how a small increase in your utilities
can have a huge impact on your day to day. I have spent my whole life in
Hunlock Creek and have seen the changes that have happened over the years. His
candidacy .
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 — Wilkes‑Barre City
Council Chair & State Representative Candidate
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.
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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.
.
STATE REPRESENTATIVE
112th
KYLE
MULLINS
Mullins is in in for another term. He currently serves on
House Appropriations Committee, Vice Chair, Consumer Protection &
Professional Licensure Committee, Professional Licensure Committee and House
Transportation Committee, Subcommittee Chair on Transportation Safety.
JOSEPH
SABIA, JUNIOR
bia
is a U.S. Navy veteran (1992–2013)
and entrepreneHe founded Cerberus Dynamic Solutions
in 2018, an executive security and disaster relief company, and serves as its
CFO/owner.Earlier in his career, he was director
of safety at The Topps Company in Scranton and an HR specialist for the U.S. Army.
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
Kosierowski
serves on the osierowski was assigned to the following committees: on House
Appropriations Committee, Health Committee, Secretary, Insurance Committee
Professional Licensure Committee, Secretary Rules Committee.
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
Madden is a member of the House Education Committee,
Subcommittee Chair on Career and Technical Education, the Gaming Oversight
Committee, Vice Chair, the Human Services Committee, Subcommittee Chair on
Mental Health, the House State Government Committee, Subcommittee Chair on
Campaign Finance and Elections and House State Government Committee, Secretary.
RICH
SZABO
Szabo is a professional trumpeter and owner
of Buck Hill Firearms LLC, as well as co‑founder
of Zaja Musical Products, a maker of brass‑instrument
accessories He holds a music education
degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University and has performed with notable
artists including Maynard Ferguson, Buddy Rich, Tony Bennett, and Frank Sinatra
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