118th District debate

A couple of less than comprehensive write-ups in the papers about the 118th District State Rep candidates debate held at Pittston HS last night. The 118th includes parts of Luzerne and Monroe Counties. James Spinola had the best lines of the night according to both the CV and TL.

YATESVILLE — James Spinola's best line left the audience speechless.

"I think the pay raise was great," the state House candidate said of the repealed legislative pay hike that sparked a voters' rebellion last summer. The auditorium at Pittston Area High School felt silent before Spinola finished his thought. "I think it woke up the voters," he said. "They were testing our short-term memory."......Mike Carroll, a Democrat and chief of staff for state Rep. John Yudichak, D-Nanticoke, said he learned how to navigate Harrisburg when he worked under former Gov. Robert Casey and about constituent service in his current job.
In his closing remarks, he highlighted an endorsement from the incumbent Tigue, which could both help and hurt Carroll during the May 16 primary election. That dual effect was apparent in the response from Spinola, who spoke next. "This race shouldn't be about who the candidate knows. … The issues are too important to make this a popularity contest."

The worst quote came from Art Bobbouine, a Republican and the Luzerne County chief deputy sheriff, wants to use his law enforcement background to make fighting crime and drug use a top priority in the area. He called for mandatory minimum sentences for repeat drug offenders.

We have been doing that for 50 years Art and the drug problem is worse than ever.

The Democrats in the race are Mike Carroll of Avoca and Terry Best and James O'Brien of Pittston. O'Brien and Best are Pittston Area School directors. Republicans include Spinola, an architect from Chestnuthill Township, Monroe County; Bobbouine of Pittston, and Chestnuthill Supervisor Maureen Tatu.