Dem candidate forum

The Luzerne County Democratic Committee will host a Candidate Forum on Thursday February 28th, 6:30PM at Grotto Pizza outside the Wyoming Valley Mall. Democratic candidates for County office are invited to meet with members of the Executive Committee.

RSVP on the Facebook Event page 

And the Young Dems will meet Wednesday at Rodano's on Public Square in Wilkes-Barre at 7PM.

Details on FB.

Youth in Politics dinner

A big congratulations to Bob Zaruta and Jen Rinehimer along with the rest of the Young Republicans of Luzerne County for putting together such a successful event. Getting such a big crowd for a YR gathering  in a historically Democratic County is a credit to their hard work.

Many moons ago I was an officer in the Young Democrats of Luzerne County and I'm a big supporter of both the YR's and YD's. They are our future leaders. Everybody involved in political campaigns think they are the grand strategist like David Axlerod or Karl Rove but first you have to understand the nuts and bolts of a campaign like making the phone calls and knocking on doors. Young Dems and Reps are the training ground.

Now for commentary on the event with a minimum of snark.


Bob Zaruta took on the "myth" that young people are all Obama liberals. The old joke is there is no such thing as a young Republican because they are all born middle aged.

Luz County YR Prez Bob Zaruta

The best part of the night was th PJ Stebbins award. PJ was a regular commenter on Gort42 and many other places even announcing his run for State Rep on this site. PJ was the hard working foot soldier for many campaigns that all political types can learn from. Aaron Kaufer  received the plaque from Suzie Stebbins.

Aaron Kaufer and Suzie Stebbins

The Young Republican of the year baton was passed from Tarah Toohil to Stefanie Salavantis. I asked Toohil some questions and it was interesting what she didn't say or deny. Read between the lines. More on that later. A reporter asked me a few days ago for the name of her campaign manager and didn't know. She told me tonight she doesn't have one. Bad move.

Feel free to add this pic to your binder of women.

Tarah Toolhill and Stefanie Salaventis

I can't make the LWV forum with Aaron Kaufer and Phyllis Mundy at Wyoming Sem on Tuesday because Mrs G. would rather to see the Aussie Pink Floyd Show at the Kirby that night. I recruited John Lombardo to be the Special Gort42 correspondent that night. He has been a regular contributor to PittstonPolitics.com and has made his English teachers proud. He is a an articulate young man.

John Lombardo and Sara Czernaikowski

More pics on my Facebook page

Joe Peters said something about being on TV.

Gort42 and Joe Peters

Young Dems to meet

First meeting of the 2012 General Election.
The Luzerne County Young Democrats will hold their Post-Primary Election at Rodano's located on Public Square on Thursday May 31, 2012 at 7:00 P.M.


Representative Phylis Mundy will be attending the meeting to discuss Pennsylvania's Delaware Loophole. Democratic Congressional Candidate Gene Stilp will be sponsoring the meeting and will also be speaking to the group.

The Young Democrats will be discussing the upcoming General Election, endorsing the Democratic slate for the General Election, and discussing agenda items to support such as the opposition to the Delaware loophole and Voter ID Laws. 

The Luzerne County Young Democrats encourage all registered Democrats age 18-35 to attend. Matt Cartwight will also be there.


They also have invited some LCYD alumni such as yours truly. I may just hobble down on my crutches. I heard that Gene Stilp is springing for the food so don't expect pulled pork as I'm sure that Pignelope would consider that cannibalism.


The Young Democrats of America will be meeting in Philadelphia June 29th-July 1st.That's a big feather in the cap of Herself and the PA Young Dems.

Luzerne County Young Democrats meet tonight

At Rodano's on Public Square in Wilkes-Barre 7PM


Membership is open registered Democrats between ages 18-35, but folks of any age are welcome to the meeting and always encouraged to attend our social events as our guests.


Many moons ago I was an elected officer of the Young Dems of Luzerne County.

LuzerneGOP: The Young Republicans of Luzerne County will hold their monthly meeting on May 10 at 7 p.m. at Crescenzo's Restraurant at the Woodland's.


It's great that young people are active in politics.