A boring upcoming election

Most of the PA legislature seats in Luzerne County are uncontested. John Yudichak and Lisa Baker may get a third party challenge but will cruise to reelection to the state Senate. Eddie Day, Mike Carroll, Jerry Mullery and my favorite party girl Tarah Toohil don't have an opponent for state rep in the fall.

The most interesting races are Karen Boback being challenged by Laura Dickson and the open seat being vacated by Phyliis Mundy's retirement.  Eilleen Cipriani is the hands down favorite to succeed one of my favorite state reps although Aaron Kaufer has been working very hard.

The most interesting race is the 117th District which has been redrawn to include Wyoming County and local official Laura Dickson is looking to work the home field. I don't know what it is but the local Republicans out there have a thing for making Karen Boback's life misarable. Davis Haire took her on in the primary this time and James May went after her earlier. I think Dickson's best chance is a depressed GOP turnout because Tom Corbett has pissed off just about everybody on both sides of the aisle. 
 

Dairy issues may be a key

Eileen Cipriani for State Represenative

From a release: West Wyoming Council president Eileen Cipriani will announce her candidacy for state representative in the 120^th district Thursday, February 6th, at 5:30pm at The Gallery (Pierce St. Deli Bldg.) at 517 Pierce Street in Kingston.

   Cipriani is a graduate of Bloomsburg University and holds a masters degree in organizational management from Misericordia University. In her most recent employment she served as legislative assistant to Representative Phyllis Mundy, specializing in constituent services and district outreach.

   She is the 2011 recipient of the Governor’s Award for Local Government Excellence in the category of responding to adversity. Cipriani is also the founder and president of the Council of Governments and an officer on the board of directors of CASA, court appointed special advocates. A founder of the Abrahams Creek Watershed Association, she was awarded the Luzerne Conservation Award for Stewardship. Cipriani has a record of service in many additional community organizations.

   She is married to Joe Cipriani, a professor at Misericordia University and is the mother of their two sons, David and Michael, both students at King’s College. They reside in West Wyoming.

   Light refreshments will be served and a large crowd is expected.

  

 


My take is this Eileen's race to lose and she is not going to lose it. She has been a real leader doing some common sense things like getting all the west side governments together to buy equipment they all need but can't afford on their own. She has been the right arm of my favorite State Rep Phyllis Mundy dealing with the concerns of citizens and there can't be a better mentor than that.

 Website

Facebook page

John Bolin for State Represative

The first but not the last person announcing that they want to succeed Phyllis Mundy.

Bolin is a member of the Wyoming Area School Board and a small business owner.

From his Facebook page:

About

Hello I am John 44 years old Born and raised in Exeter Borough Luzerne County , Residing currently In Wyoming Borough Luzerne County ,

Mission

I am currently Seeking my first term for the 120 th Legislative District of Retiring Phyllis Mundy , I humbly ask for your support May 2014 in the primary , If anyone would like to volunteer or help on the committee please Contact John Bolin 570-760-6137 , Also Monetary Contributions will be accepted . Please check back soon for official time and location for Public Speech to be held

Description

Hello I am John Bolin 44 Years old Born and raised in Exeter Borough Luzerne County Pennsylvania , Currently Residing in Wyoming Borough Luzerne County Pennsylvania , Bishop O'Reilly High School Kingston , Attended College Courses Through Luzerne County College , Small business Owner for Flowers By Lucille , Just Elected my third term on Wyoming Area School Board , Wyoming Recreation Board President , Wyoming Hose Company # 1 Vice President ,

Possible 120th HD candidates

First of all I want to say say thank you to Phyllis Mundy for being for being a friend and an outstanding State Representative.

Just as I was getting worried that we wouldn't have many competitive state legislature elections next year Phyllis drops a bomb shell. Right now Pashinski, Carroll, Mullery, Toohill, Yudichak and Baker don't have an announced opponent but that will change as some guy with a tri-corner hat gets the itch. So far only Karen Boback has a serious opponent in Laura Dickson.

Bill O'Boyle in the TL runs down the likely candidates.

On the GOP side 2012 nominee Aaron Kaufer gives kudos to Phyllis and sounds like he will run again. She cleaned his clock 56%-44% after the state GOP pored a ton of money into the race. And there is always  speculation that Kingston Mayor for Life Jim Haggerty will try to lose another election outside of the Municipality after getting shot down for State Senate and Judge. I'm sure some other names will pop up.

The Dems will have plenty of candidates. Edwardsville Councilor Gary Mack is interested as is West Pittston attorney Laura Dennis who is said to be able to self finance. This line from the TL article kind of bugs me. Dennis said she wants to run for elective office; she has to decide if the state legislature would be the best fit for her. In other words she wants to run for office to be somebody instead of doing something. She has time to clear that up.

The early frontrunner for the Democratic nod has to be West Wyoming Council Prez Eileen Cipriani. She has been at Phyllis' side and organized the West Side Council of Governments that has been able to pool the resources of the west side to get things done.

Other names being thrown around include:

Former W. Pittston Mayor Bill Goldsworthy who is working for the the Guv and ran against Phyllis in 2010. He may want to get off the Corbett sinking ship before it goes under.

Just for shits and giggles a commenter says:  I say Michael Szustak- did a bang up job with Gelb and Cartwright. Has what we need for the job!

 And we all know that Joe V has always wanted to be elected to something...anything

If Mundy does retire, who knows, maybe I’ll tap into that communion money and throw my hat into the ring as well.

Phyllis hangs it up

Mundy will not seek re-election to Pa. House

 

HARRISBURG, Dec. 2 – State Rep. Phyllis Mundy, D-Kingston, today announced she will retire at the end of this legislative session.

 

Mundy, who represents portions of Luzerne County, is serving her 12^th term in office, which runs through Nov. 30, 2014. She was first elected in 1990.

 

"It has been my privilege to serve the people of the 120^th District," Mundy said. "My staff and I have worked hard and done our best to serve all who needed our help. I am humbled by the confidence and support shown to me for the past 23 years, and I am extremely grateful for the tremendous opportunity to serve."

 

Mundy led successful initiatives to expand prescription drug benefits and care for senior citizens, maximize early childhood care and education, increase home visitation services for at-risk expectant mothers, and promote quality care for foster children. She has also garnered a reputation for outstanding constituent service.

 

She has consistently advocated for middle-class families, working for consumer protections in utility cases and for tax fairness. In 2005, she led successful efforts to prevent hoarding of excessive surpluses at Blue Cross.

 

Before her tenure in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Mundy was manager of a multi-million dollar manufacturing company. She also worked in many volunteer organizations, including the Junior League and League of Women Voters where she served two terms as president.

 

Mundy reminds her constituents that she will still be their representative in Harrisburg for the next year. Her local office at Park Office Building, Suite 113, 400 Third Ave., Kingston, will remain open through the remainder of her term, and her staff will continue to assist constituents with their needs.

 

The 120^th Legislative Districts includes the townships of Exeter, Jackson and Kingston and the boroughs of Courtdale, Exeter, Forty Fort, Kingston, Luzerne, Pringle, Swoyersville, West Pittston, West Wyoming and Wyoming.

 

Michelle Bednar for Controller

Democratic nominee for Luzerne County Controller Michelle Bednar had a nice turnout for an event at the The Red Mill in Pittston today. State Rep Mike Carroll was the MC  who complimented every person who is willing to offer themselves for office  regardless of party. It takes a combination of guts and ego to run in an election. Mike is one the most accessible people that I know in office. He will talk to anybody at anytime. After the latest redistricting he will become my State Rep replacing Eddie Day. He has moved up in the rankings of my favorite state legislators even outpacing Phyllis Mundy. She didn't show up for Blogfest so I have to vote for Mike in the next election.

Both Pittston DJ candidates worked the room. Alex and Jerry are both good people and  it's shame one of them will not be elected.  Council candidates Michael Giamber and Renee Zita Ciaruffoli Taffera make it to everything. 

Independent Council incumbent  Rick Williams  told me he is going to go up on TV. That was the difference last time. He is the first Independent candidate to win a county wide election in my memory. 

It was good to chat with Bear Creek Sup Gary Zingaretti.

The highlight for me me was I made a joke about Michelle would be the prettiest county official since Ethel Price. 3rd District  Chair Phil Struzzeri caught that one and we had a great time reminiscing about Ethel, Marty Murray, Wideman, Crossin and the rest. We just needed the Yonk to keep us straight.

It was a fun time

More pics at this link

Eddie Day in 2014

Eddie Day

State Representative Eddie Day Pashinski (D) wants to go back to Harrisburg for another term and over 100 of his friends gathered at Genetti's in Wilkes-Barre to support him on Sunday for brunch.

Tom Wolf

Exeter Mayor Cassandra Coleman-Corcoran organized the event and PA Governor hopeful Tom Wolf greeted people at the door.

W-B council member Maureen Lavelle showed her support and West Wyoming's Eileen Cipriani represented Phyllis Mundy who is plunging in the rankings. Only two  2013 candidates were in the crowd.  County Council Democratic  nominee Eileen Sorokas and Republican Controller replacement candidate Carolee Medico- Olenginski.

Carmen Ambrosino and Mrs. A

A real treat for me was I had breakfast with my committeeman and Young Dem Prez Thom Shubilla and local legend Carmen Ambrosino who has spent his career helping people with abuse
problems. Luzerne County Democratic chair Bob Boyer was late to the party.


Eddie Day gave what can only be described as a populist speech. He ripped into Governor Tom Corbett for his attempts to privatize all sorts of government function including education, liquor stores and the lottery. He described the voter ID law as cheating as it would disenfranchise 700,000 people.He reminded the audience that all elections are big elections as the school director and city councilor affect you life as much as a President. He reminded us that the common man can stand up to the billionaires just by casting a vote.

Eddie Day and family

So far I haven't heard of anyone planning to run against him. I hope a Republican candidate emerges soon. We should always have a choice in an election.

More photos at this link.

Phyllis on the lottery: If it ain't broke don't fix it.

Riffing on my earlier post State Rep Phyllis Mundy and 17 other PA House Democrats sent a letter to Gov. Tom Cabot Corbett to forget about his plan to privatize the Pennsylvania Lottery. NCFE defends this form of voluntary taxation that has been successful.  In the end, why screw this up?

Mundy asks Gov. Corbett to drop lottery privatization plan

HARRISBURG, Dec. 3 – State Rep. Phyllis Mundy joined 17 other House Democrats in signing a letter that urges Gov. Tom Corbett to drop his plans to privatize the Pennsylvania Lottery.

 

"The Pennsylvania Lottery is a proven, well-run program that last fiscal year made more than $1 billion for programs to help our seniors, such as the Property Tax Rent/Rebate Program and Pennsylvania's low-cost prescription drug programs for older adults, PACE and PACENET," Mundy said. "The system isn't broken, and we don't need to take unnecessary risks with it."

 

The letter notes that the Pennsylvania Lottery is one of the most successful and well managed state lotteries in the nation, with administrative costs of just over 2 percent. Just one company, United Kingdom-based Camelot Group, has submitted an offer to run the Pennsylvania Lottery. Camelot Group has conceded the Pennsylvania Lottery is presently well-run.

 

"So our question for you is, 'Why are you trying so hard to privatize a successful government program and, in the process, hand over millions in administrative fees to a third party manager?'" reads the letter, which was delivered to Corbett's office today.

 

Mundy pointed out that Camelot would get a cut of the lottery profits and have its operating expenses paid, including salaries for its executives, by the commonwealth.

 

Just two states – Illinois and Indiana – have privately run lotteries. Illinois awarded a contract to Northstar Lottery Group, a partnership between GTECH and Scientific Games. Northstar has fallen short of the $825 million it promised Illinois officials, and the company has taken the state to court to try to change terms of its contract.

 

Mundy said the Illinois' problems show why Corbett should not rush to privatize the lottery here.

 

"There's too much at stake," Mundy said. "The lottery generates important revenue for our older Pennsylvanians, and it's too risky to outsource it to a foreign company."

 

Mundy added the lottery-funded programs are particularly important in Luzerne County, where people 65 and older make up nearly 18 percent of the population.

 

Camelot Global Services’ bid to manage the state Lottery will expire on Dec. 31. This contract would lock the commonwealth into an agreement for 20 years, long after Gov. Corbett is gone. 

  A copy of the letter is available by clicking here.

The day after

I was up late so I feel like the guy pictured above.

The President was reelected and I have been reading some apocalyptic things on right wing blogs and Facebook. Relax people. We lived through 8 years of Bush and you will survive 8 years of Obama. The late Bob Novak once said something that has stuck with me. The President doesn't run the country, the people do. The economy will improve no matter who is President, it's called the business cycle. The Republicans should have won this election but they nominated a candidate that didn't believe in anything except he wanted to be President. Romney switched so many positions in so many elections you couldn't trust him. That and the steady stream of lies from his campaign. See Mitt's Mendacity Vol I thru XLI.

Pennsylvania made history by electing the first Democrat and woman as Attorney General.I hope she digs into Tom Corbett's handling of the Sandusky investigation.

Senator Bob Casey beat back the coal guy 54%-47%.  he spent a big chunk of his own  money on  a losing cause. Coal and Oil are not our future.


No surprises in the local races for Congress. Tom Marino won 2-1 and Matt Cartwright gathered 60% of the vote as predicted. Gene Stilp ran a fun campaign but you still need money to win. Lou Barletta will continue to defend us against the Barbarians at the Gate

The incumbent state house member were returned for another term.

The photos of Tarah Toohil probably helped her as we all have done things we are not proud of.  It was dirty pool by someone who wanted to hurt her but the Democratic candidate or party had nothing to do with it.She won 67% of the vote.

Rick Arnold got a late start and it wasn't enough to beat Jerry Mullery. Mullery improved his performance from 2010 winning 61%-39%.

The 120th HD race was near and dear to my heart. Phyllis Mundy has been a friend for some time and is my xxx favorite legislator. Aaron Kaufer became a pal and ran a great campaign that gave Phyllis the run of her political career. In the end Kaufer got more votes than any other challenger over the last 20 years but came up short. He will be back. Phyllis won 56-44 improving on the 53% she got last time.

Now the speculation begins about the 2016 Presidential candidates. I predict that Hillary won't be one of them because President Obama will appoint her to the Supreme Court.

On to the 2013 local elections. Walter Griffith is running for reelection as Luzerne County Controller and Bob Morgan may take him on again. Steve Urban is also making noise about a Controller run. Some seats on the Luzerne County Council will also be up.

Kaufer and Mundy on the air

The HRCC produced an ad for Aaron Kaufer that is running on cable. I spotted it on the Weather Channel over the weekend. Great timing having a spot on the WC as a hurricane is on the way.

It hits Phyllis Mundy on the 3 P's. Pay raise, Pensions and Per Diems.





The Mundy camp responds:

Rep Mundy's opponent's campaign represents everything good people hate about politics and politicians.   What is especially interesting is where the funding for the ad comes from. His expense report shows that it comes from the party bosses in Harrisburg (HRCC). Rep Mundy's funds come from a broad cross section of small and large donors throughout the district. Mundy's opponent campaign has been completely negative and has failed to list any qualifications, life experiences, or work experiences that would make him qualified to represent the 120th legislative district.


A response ad from the Mundy campaign is airing on the local broadcast channels. It's a standard man/women on the street spot  reminding us that she fights the special interests and utility companies defending her vote on the pay raise by saying she donated it to charity. It closes with Phyllis making her case.

It's not good when a long time incumbent is playing defense in the the last week of the campaign.




Kaufer snagged the endorsement from some west side Democratic officials.

From the inbox:

Aaron Kaufer, Republican candidate for State Representative, has received the enthusiastic endorsement of Democratic officials throughout the 120^th legislative district.  Seven elected Democrats, including four of the six Council Presidents in the 120^th, have thrown their full support behind Kaufer’s campaign against 22-year incumbent, Democrat Phyllis Mundy.

In a letter explaining their endorsement, Denise Adams (Exeter Borough Council President), Jack Ruane (Exeter Township Chairman of Supervisors), Michael Jancuska (Luzerne Council President), Michael Berish (Pringle Council President), and Luzerne Borough Council members Jason Tarreto, Mary Ellen Schell and Judy Gober.

Phyllis shows her juice:

HARRISBURG, Oct. 23 – State Rep. Phyllis Mundy announced that West Pittston will receive a $1.65 million low-interest loan from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority to replace undersized and misaligned sewer lines.

 

"This loan will help West Pittston modernize its sewage and storm water collection systems, and in doing so, protect the health of residents as well as the environment," said Mundy, D-Luzerne. "I'm pleased that the state is aiding this important project."

 

Sewage and storm water collection lines are combined in the community, and that has caused raw sewage to back up into basements. It also has resulted in street flooding.

Another poll on the sidebar. Again the question is not who you are voting for but who do you think will win?

Can the kid knock off a longtime legislator?  Tell us your predictions in the comments.

10th CD debate cancelled

10th Congressional District Debate

Congressman Tom Marino and Phil Scollo

"Due to weather concerns, WVIA has cancelled the 10th congressional district debate that was to be held Tuesday, October 30. Efforts by WVIA to re-schedule the debate await Congressman Tom Marino's availability as he attends to constituent service through the storm."

Mundy/Cartwright rally rescheduled

 Due to the weather we are rescheduling the Mundy /Cartwright rally to Friday Nov 2, 5-7pm West Wyoming Hose Company #1 Shoemaker Ave. Now you can join us for a tailgate party before all the high school football games! Boyer's Catering will be putting on a delicious spread, beer and soda, the event is free. Bring a friend!


Kaufer event a go

 I will be hosting an event at Marianacci's Restaurant tonight in West Wyoming from 6-8 tonight. The event is FREE. Anybody looking for a chance to get out of their house or enjoy some good pizza and good company, please feel free to swing by Marianacci's, especially if you have lost your power and are looking for a bite to eat. Be safe everyone and hope to see you there!

 

 

120th HD debate

State Representative Phyllis Mundy (D) and challenger Aaron Kaufer (R) faced off in a lively debate Tuesday night that I wasn't able to attend.

Gort42 special correspondent and PittstonPolitics.com contributor John Lombardo covered the event:

Tuesday’s political debate between Aaron Kaufer and Phyllis Mundy came with a good crowd at Wyoming Seminary in Kingston. The topics of the debate ranged from property taxes to natural gas drilling. All of these were extremely important to the 120^th Dristrict…but the most important question was only asked at the end by candidate Kaufer. “Why did we have no discussion about jobs?” he said during his closing statement.

            During the debate, there were no questions asked(or read by the moderator) asking what we are to do about the high unemployment. Now, I don’t live in the 120^th District, but I do work there for the West Pittston Ambulance every weekend. Whenever we go out on calls I see a lot of houses with “For Sale” signs(not just in the flood zone), and I wonder why it is so bad that people have to leave, and our representatives aren’t paying attention to it.

            One of the problems is the high property taxes. Families were promised relief when the casino was built, but most saw none. Rep. Mundy said that she fought to get property tax relief, and said that she would sign a bill eliminating them if it was brought to her on the house floor. Aaron Kaufer fired back saying that it was bad practice to just wait for a bill to be brought to her. He said that she should’ve been reaching across the aisle to help get that bill written and brought to a vote. I can’t help but agree!

            Other questions asked during the debate involved gun control(why?), the Voter ID law, and the UGI Compressor Station is West Wyoming. Strangely enough, Phyllis and Aaron were both in a general agreement on these issues(except for gun control). One of the first things I ever learned about debating is to never EVER say “I agree” with your opponent no matter what. Always find something to pick apart no matter how small or insignificant it is.

            One of the other topics of agreement was the Natural gas drilling in NEPA. We are the only state without a severance tax on gas drilling, and both candidates support one. But I think Rep. Mundy must have bumped into President Obama on the way to this debate and stolen some of his cue cards, because I heard “fair share” about ten times.

            Even though I’m not a resident of the 120^th District, I will definitely be paying attention to the race because it has some big effects on everyone living in Northeast Pennsylvania. Best of luck and thanks to both of the candidates for coming to my political forum at Penn State Wilkes-Barre.

Matt Hughes write up in the Times Leader has the play by play on the  issues  that documents their agreement on some issue. Bill Wellock covered it for the Citizens Voice.

The debate can be viewed on the Video Innovations website:  

Video streaming by Ustream

I just viewed the video and few things stood out. Aaron Kaufer had  command of the issues and admitted that he didn't know enough about some obscure bill to comment on it. Phyllis Mundy kept attacking Governor Tom Corbet and the Republican State Senate and tied them to Grover Norquist. Kaufer kept saying he would work for Bipartisan solutions. On the severance tax and environmental safeguards Mundy asked  "Is he going to be the only one over there who votes to do those things?" Kaufer landed a punch on pensions after Mundy said she voted against  increases but took it anyway. Mundy didn't commit any unforced errors but Kaufer had a few questionable statements. On the assault weapons ban Kaufer said the Holocaust would not have happened if Jews had guns. He really screwed up saying  "We don't need old politicians." The audience booed. At the end he said his background was in US/Chinese economics. ???