The LuLac Edition #5, 812, November 2nd, 2026

 

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.

8^TH 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.

9^th 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 22^nd 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

116^th

DANE WATRO

DANE WATRO, first elected in 2022, running unopposed.

117^th

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

118^th

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.

119^th

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.

120^th

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.

 

121^st

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

22^nd 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

 

112^th

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.

113^th

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 111^th  is represented by Kyle Devlin making the 111^th, 112^th, and 113^th 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

114^th

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.

115^th

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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