2017 Election Results- Luzerne County Council

Matt Vough and Chris Perry

My candidate came up a bit short but I am very proud of the race Wendy Cominsky ran. She is someone without money or powerful friends who just wanted to make a difference. She offered solutions to the problems the county faces and worked as hard as any candidate I've ever met. I'm grateful for her friendship and trust. She came darn close and somehow I feel I let her down.

The top 3 vote getters was not a surprise. Incumbents Linda Houck(D) and Harry Haas(R) ran their record and the people rewarded them with another term. Sheila Saidman was top of the poll in the primary and it carried over.

The surprises of the night were Matt Vough (D) and Chris Perry (R). They also worked their tails off and I saw them just about everywhere.

The great thing about this election was the lack of acrimony.  For the most part the candidates seemed to genuinely like each other and want to work together regardless of party



I want to congratulate all the candidates for offering themselves for public office. It takes guts to run and put up with the nonsense like the anonymous cowards who comment on the local newspaper websites.

x Sheila Saidman (DEM)		21,406
x Linda McClosky Houck (DEM)		20,369
Wendy Cominsky (DEM)		19,365
x Matthew Vough (DEM)		20,386
John Gadomski (DEM)		18,342
x Harry Haas (REP)		20,319
x Chris R. Perry (REP)		20,125
Marc Dixon (REP)		19,115
Stephen J. Urban (REP)		19,758
Gregory S. Wolovich Jr. (REP)		16,620

Blogfest Fall 2017

The Bloggers and the Blogcon Squirrels

Another great Blogfest was held at the River Grille in Plains. In addition to the political types NEPA Blogcon joined us for their after party. There is always a prize for the person who traveled the farthest and this time it goes to PA Lt. Governor candidate Aryanna Berringer who came all the way from Pittsburgh. Aryanna is no stranger to our area, she lived in W-B a few years ago.


Two 11th Congressional District candidates also traveled a bit. Democrat Alan Howe from Carlisle made another appearance in the area and Republican Andrew Shecktor left the wilds of Berwick to
join us.




 Many Luzerne County hopefuls were there. Both Controller candidates, incumbent Michelle Bednar (D) and former Controller Walter Griffith (R), worked the crowd. County Council Democratic nominees Wendy Cominsky, Matt Vough mixed it up with Republicans Marc Dixon and Greg Wolovich. Municipal candidates included Luzerne Mayor candidate John Cordara (D?), incumbent Dallas Twp. Supervisor Liz Martin (D) and Plains Twp. Commissioner nominee Barry Kresge (R).
Plus W-B City Councilman Tony Brooks (R) and State Rep Jerry Mullery.

The NEPA Blogcon group were a lot of fun and added energy to the gathering.

Local TV coverage

Bloggers meet political candidates in person

Michelle Bednar for Controller 2017

Incumbent Democratic Luzerne County Controller had a nice gathering of supporters at Bentley's on Friday. It attracted a nice crowd including a few Republicans including District Attorney Stephanie Salavantis. The Democratic Party heavyweights State Reps. Eddie Day Pashinski , Jerry Mullery and State Sen. John Yudichak sang her praises. Her campaign team touted her accomplishments including weeding out incorrect homestead tax breaks wrongly granted to some Luzerne County property owner. Her opponent Walter Griffith  had received the break on two homes and an auto repair business he owns.

Democratic County Council candidates Wendy Cominsky, Matt Vough and John Gadomski  offered their support and Republican Chris Perry showed up. Perry has been to almost every event D or R I've been to. He is running hard.

Other notables were Judge David Lupas who is up for retention and George Brown who should have been the Mayor of W-B. I asked Judge Lupas about mandatory minimums and he gave me a  lawyers answer saying they could act as a deterrent but Judges should be able to fit the punishment to the crime.

                                          


Luzerne County sending bills to recipients of incorrect homestead tax break

Luzerne County Council-The Democrats

I have had the good fortune of meeting all of the Luzerne County Council candidates of the years. Most of them recently and for a few it's been a while. Here is a rundown:

The top vote getters in the primary:

17254 votes cast in the Republican primary

1. Harry Haas (Inc)
2. Chris Perry
3. Marc Dixon
4. Stephen J Urban
 5. Greg Wolovich

23480 votes cast in the Democratic primary

1. Sheila Saidman
2. Linda Houck(Inc)
3. Wendy Cominsky
4. Matt Vough
5. John Gadomsky

Only 6000+ votes more Democratic votes than Republicans.

Some links and obserations.

Wendy Cominsky  

Website:  Wendy Cominsky for Luzerne County Council
 Facebook: Wendy Cominsky for Luzerne County Council

Matt Vough

Website: Matt Vough Luzerne County Council
Facebook: Matt Vough Luzerne County Council

Linda Houck



Facebook:Llinda Mcclosky Houck for Luzerne County Council
No website

John Gadomsky

Facebook: John Gadomsky for Luzerne County Council
No website

Sheila Saidman

Facebook: Sheila Saidmain for Luzerne County Council
No website

That's it for the Democrats. Republicans coming up.

Luzerne County Council

The thing about the the latest Luzurne County Council race was the lack of acrimony. With a few exceptions the candidates avoided trying to tear down their opponents. It was a race about ideas to make our county a better place to live.

The 2 people that impressed me most were Republican Marc Dixon and Democrat Wendy Cominsky. They have some ideas to improve
our lives and are running to do something not be somebody. You may disagree with them but they will listen to your ideas and try to come to a solution.

On the Republican side 5 candidates advanced for 5 seats. Incumbent Harry Haas may just win another term.Gregory S. Wolovich Jr. is running hard. 

Linda Houck was near  the top of the ballot on the Demcratic side and Sheila Saidman topped it. Matt Vough and John Godamski round out the field