Pittston District Judge candidates on the air

I didn't pay much attention to this race previously because  Magistrates don't decide public policy but I have met both candidates and like them and as PAPolitics said because it’s just plain fun local NEPA politics.

Alex Kokura won the Democratic nomination by a whisker over Red O'Brien with Jerry Mecadon coming in a close third.  Democrat Mecadon bested Kokura by just 26 votes to grab the Republican nod. Results at this link. I think they should do away with cross filing. So now 2 Dems are in the finals. The overwhelming  registration advantage favors Kokura as  5594 votes where cast in the Democratic primary versus only 982 for the GOP. On the other hand Mecadon pulled 1284 votes on the Dem side. So the aggregate primary result was Kokura 1626 to Mecadon's 1570. This a barn burner but Kokura has to be be the favorite because of the registration edge in the district.


 The TL:

Northeastern Pennsylvania politics for sure, the race is ripe with rumor and accusations, according to PA Politics:

• Mecadon’s camp was spotted videotaping Kokura at an event.

• Kokura is using the office as a stepping to stone to Luzerne County judgeship.

• Mecadon wants to move the district judge’s office out of Pittston City Hall.

• Kokura’s cousin, Pittston Area School Board President Charles Sciandra, helped get James “Red” O’Brien, who lost to Kokura by eight votes, a job at the Pittston Area School District warehouse in exchange for support.

In separate interviews on Tuesday, both candidates distanced themselves from the innuendo that has surfaced in local news reports, blogs, talk shows and message boards.


You can get the real skinny on this race at PittstonPolitics.com

Alex has a positive spot up:





Ed Mitchell has been polling the district and cut one of his contrast ads:



Jerry has an event tonight: Free Home Stretch Rally at the Duryea VFW at 492 Stephenson Street, Duryea this Wednesday October 30th from 7-9 p.m. Food and Beverages will be provided. This will be our last event before the election.

Alex has a get together on Sunday: 
Attention Ladies: Please join us and Michelle Bednar for an "Autumn, Wine & Women" event on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2013 from 2 pm to 4 pm at Tony & Deno's located at 295 Parsonage St., Hughestown, PA.