Karen Boback calls James May a liar

The Pennsylvania 117th State House Republican primary has heated up. A few weeks ago freshman incumbent Karen Boback had a $200 a pop fund raiser at a supporter's house and challenger James May countered with a $2 a plate dinner of hot dogs and burgers for his backers. I don't know where he got the the idea but I thought it was a brilliant contrast. They even had somebody in a duck outfit that attended both events to call attention to Boback's refusal to debate him.

On the front page of her website Boback rips into her opponent.


James May is running a campaign of lies! Enough is enough!


May's Lies: May says Representative Karen Boback inserted controversial words into House Bill 302. May is lying.

The FACTS: Representative Karen Boback voted on the floor of the House of Representatives to REMOVE the words "sexual orientation" from this legislation. (HB302, 6/11/2007)

May's Lies: May says Representative Karen Boback is for teacher strikes. May is lying.

The FACTS: Representative Karen Boback wrote legislation to prevent teacher strikes. Today her legislation is supported by the PA School Board Association. (HR562, 1/23/2008)

May's Lies: May says Representative Karen Boback voted against open records.May is lying.

The FACTS: Representative Karen Boback proudly voted for Pennsylvania's new Open Records Law - just like she promised. (SB1, 2/11/2008)

More charges are here.


The May campaign responds with this Press Release:


Is Karen Boback Acting Like Hillary Clinton By Misspeaking to Voters or Does She Not Understand the Legislative Process?

May Calls on Incumbent To Be Honest With Voters on Teacher Strike Issue

Today James May, Republican candidate for State Representative, criticized State Representative Karen Boback for trying to mislead voters regarding her so-called opposition to teacher strikes. May called upon the incumbent to tell voters the truth.

In both an electronic call to voters today and a newspaper ad, Boback claims to be for a “resolution” for ending teachers strikes. There are several major problems with her statement. First, a resolution is not a bill. It cannot become law nor change our laws. It is worthless document with no teeth. Second, the resolution she supports is a mere study for considering to end teacher strikes. It does not call for an end to the strike!

“Either the incumbent does not understand the basic difference between a resolution and a bill or she is trying to mislead voters,” stated May. “If she does not understand the legislative process may be she should go back to the classroom to learn. On the other hand if she is attempting to mislead voters, which I suspect, shame on her.”

May strongly believes that Boback is trying to mislead voters in the same style of Hillary Clinton. Boback has refused to debate May, but has been available for fundraising in the district.

“She has time to hold high-dollar fundraisers in the district, but no time to debate. I think we can do better than a person who hides behind misleading advertising and refuses to defend her liberal record. Clearly she is in the back pocket of the teachers union and the facts are not on her side,” said May.

May has pledged to work to pass legislation, not a phony resolution, to end teacher strikes. “As a father, I don’t want my children’s education jeopardized by a union,” added May.

Meet the candidate

Friends of Karen Boback announce that the first April work session for all volunteers will be held at Campaign Headquarters on Thursday, April 10 at 7:00 PM. Supporters are invited to attend. Campaign volunteer work schedules will be confirmed as well as distribution of campaign related materials. Light refreshments. Friends of Karen Boback headquarters is located at 217 Memorial Hwy, Route 309, Dallas, 1/8 mile south of Dallas Shopping Center on the same side of the highway.


MEET AND GREET with James May Conservative Candidate for the 117 District

When: Thursday April 10th

Where: Grotto Harvey's Lake

Time: 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Food and Drinks will be provided by the Friends of James May

Pennsylvania 117th state rep district

This looks to be the most interesting state representative race in Luzerne County. Incumbent Karen Boback is facing off with challenger James May in the Republican primary and the winner will will go up against recent Democrat Russ Bigus in the fall.

Bigus braved the recent snow storm to file his petitions in Harrisburg on Tuesday and said “We’re approaching this campaign very seriously and diligently...I plan to win in November.”

Boback will kick off her reelection campaign today in Dallas with the opening of her HQ.

A bunch of people showed up for May's official announcement on Monday in Dallas and he sent me this press release:

James May Kickoff Rally a Huge Success

More than 130 people braved the frigid cold temperatures on Monday night to support James May in the kickoff to his campaign for the Pennsylvania State House. "This would be an incredible turnout under any circumstances", said May, "but considering the weather, this is just stunning!".

May stuck to his conservative themes of lower taxes, less spending and traditional American values. "In 1976, Ronald Reagan called on Republicans to support a platform of 'bold, unmistakable colors, rather than pastel shades'". said May. "When my opponent lives in a state that has more teacher strikes than every other state in the nation combined, yet she refuses to support legislation that would guarantee every child in the state a strike-free education by banning teacher strikes, that is an indication that she is not a Republican of bold unmistakable colors, but rather a Republican of pastel shades", said May.

One individual in attendance was Bob Guzzardi, from the Conservative Reform PAC. May pointed out that when the PSEA Teachers' Union donated $9,200 to Karen Boback's campaign, the Conservative Reform PAC quickly sent him a check as well: for $9,201. Guzzardi received a thunderous standing ovation for his willingness to financially take on the PSEA.

The speaker for the event was Mr. David Barton, senior staffer in the Republican National Committee and the Bush/Cheney Election Team. In 2006, Barton was named by Time Magazine as "The Lesson Planner" for the conservative movement in America. Barton said that James May represents the conservative principles envisioned by our founding fathers. "I want to elect a person that I don't have to lobby" said Barton. "James May is such a person".

May announced that the Chairman of his Election Committee was Bob Sypniewski, President of Penn Mortgage in Dallas and the Treasurer was Deborah Cragle, Branch Manager of the Wachovia Bank in Tunkhannock. Deborah's father-in-law, Al Cragle, who was also in attendance, served as the Treasurer for Lisa Baker's 2006 campaign.

"This campaign will be about one thing", said May: "Issues". "If I am fortunate enough to be your next Representative, I will fight for the conservative principles of Ronald Reagan. I will follow Reagan's example and be a Republican of 'bold, unmistakable colors, not a Republican of pastel shades'".


Note to the other campaigns, send me your stuff and I will publish it.

Bigus gave money to Boback

I was searching through the PA Campaign Finance Reports for the candidates in the Pennsyvania 117th District State Represenative race and I spotted this interesting contribution to incumbent Republican freshman Karen Boback.


RUSSELL P. & MELANIE A. BIGUS DALLAS, PA 18612
9/6/2007
$175.00


Bigus was a candidate in the 2006 Republican State Senate primary coming in 4th with 13% of the vote. Not bad for a first time candidate without the money or the name recognition of his opponents. Recently he became a Democrat after quiting his day job and is looking to take on the winner of the Republican primary between Boback and James May. Bigus doesn't have a campaign website set up yet and I don't have his email address to ask his version of events. I know you read the blog Russ, please contact me. Silence is deadly.

There are more interesting tidbits in these reports about the race. I'm also looking at the 118th District contest.


James May sent me this :

James May Leads Karen Boback in Campaign Cash

May is more than $18,000 ahead of Boback, whose campaign is in the red

The first campaign finance report of the primary season was recently published, showing that Republican James May has already raised significant funds in his bid to replace Karen Boback as State Representative in the 117th District. Often seen as a marker of early support, May’s campaign committee leads Boback’s in both cash balance and in bottom line figures after debts and obligations.

Boback reported $24,893 in her campaign coffers, while May reported $28,818. Of note, Boback’s committee holds a debt of more than $25,000, largely stemming from an earlier home equity loan she took out for her campaign. This debt leaves her committee $677 in the red. Although May and his wife made a personal loan of $11,201 to his committee, they carry no outside debt. May’s committee netted $17,617—an overall lead in excess of $18,000.

May cautions that an early lead does not necessarily predict success. “While I’m thrilled with the wide grassroots support I’m already seeing in this race, Rep. Boback has some heavy Harrisburg hitters supporting her, including the PSEA teachers’ union. They’re a powerful lobby that bankrolled her campaign with $9,200; they won’t sit idly by and watch,” says May.

May also notes that incumbency has aided Boback in getting her message out. “I have personally gotten multiple high-gloss full-color flyers mailed to my house from Rep. Boback’s office. These mailers, paid for with taxpayer dollars, give Rep. Boback a distinct advantage. It’s a system I certainly would like to reform if I am elected,” May notes.

Boback and May will face off in the April 22 GOP Primary. The winner will take on Democrat Russ Bigus, whose committee was not activated before the reporting deadline and did not file a report.

Online copies of the reports are available at http://www.campaignfinance.state.pa.us.

James May

As pointed out in the comments:

Correction: not "all the candidates" were represented. The Times Leader neglected James May and Tim Carroll, both of whom are still vying for the spot despite court cases by cronies of Edmund Sichler, Jr. May is mounting a write-in campaign at the urging of state and local leaders. His website www.votemaythismay.com has had more than 1000 visitors since Sichler's dirty political trick began! It just may backfire and lead to a May victory on May 16th.

Write-in candidate optimistic

James May said he believes that with the confusion surrounding the primary election on May 16, voters will welcome the simplicity of his write-in strategy.
The Republican lost his fight to get on the ballot for a shot at the 117th Legislative District seat of retiring state Rep. George Hasay when Pennsylvania Supreme Court recently upheld a Commonwealth Court ruling removed him.....Furthermore, his legal wrangling to get on the ballot has whipped up a storm of support, he said. It all adds up to making May pretty confident – perhaps even more confident than if he had actually been on the ballot.

James May for State Representative

I met James may last week and we had a brief discussion about his experiences in Iraq and at Walter Reed Army Hospital. He's an impressive guy and tomorrow he kicks off his campaign to unseat Karen Boback in the 117th District.

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He is running hard on the teacher strike issue and has garnered support from some of the heavy hitters in the state.

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From a press release:

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When: Monday, February 11, 5:30 - 6:30

Where: Twin Stack Center, Natona Room, 1100 North Memorial Highway, Dallas

On Monday, February 11, James May will kickoff his campaign for the Pennsylvania State House, with guest of honor David Barton! David Barton is currently the Vice Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas and was named by Time Magazine as "The Lesson Planner" for President George W. Bush's two Presidential victories. As a senior member of the Republican National Committee and a senior executive on the Bush/Cheney Election Team, he has been called "a hero to millions, including some very powerful politicians".

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I have to admit that I don't know who David Barton is but May is excited about having his support. James invited me to the event but I have to work tomorrow night. This work thing sure screws up a lot of stuff.

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I'm not sure if Capitol Ideas has included this race in his A Is Running For B At C series so it's a reminder if you missed it John.

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And what is Russ Bigus up to.

117th State Rep

This should be the most interesting race of the night. Karen Boback has endured one after another assault from James May. She's on TV but he doesn't have the money to do it. He has a good ground game and may just pull an upset.

Update: There is an ad in today's Times-Leader written by someone named James May attacking James May. Kind of reminds me of the "Real Bob Casey" thing a few years ago. And according to this sign the good Doctor thinks she has already won.

PA State Represenatives from Luzerne County -117th

Petition season starts Tuesday and the only primary challenge I've heard of so far is Republican James May taking on Karen Boback in the 117th District.



This campaign website has been updated but this one is barren and the official PA House site doesn't tell you much.


James May is an Army veteran that got bounced from the ballot in 2006 because of an incomplete financial disclosure form. This time he is running hard on the issue of teacher strikes and Boback's ties to the teachers union. Bob Guzzardi is backing him with some big bucks



His website stresses old fashion values with new leadership.

James May for State Representative from the 117th District.

117th District

A James May supporter reminded me that he is not out of this yet. His nominating petition was challenged because he didn't list his pay from the Army in 2005. Dallas Mayor Tim Carroll has also been challenged for similar reasons. From the CV:

May, a Republican from Falls Township, Wyoming County, said when word spread that his name was removed from the ballot, he was overwhelmed with support to fight the decision. He said the judge that ordered the removal is a former Democratic state senator and there is precedent to keep him on the ballot. "Over the last two years, there's been a number of folks who did exactly the same thing I did and were left on the ballot," May said. "We are in this thing to win on May 16 no matter what happens. There are too many people who invested too much in this campaign to let it go."

May added he would pursue a write-in campaign if he is not included on the primary ballot.

The TL had this take:

Carroll acknowledged that the two-week wait has hampered his campaign, but said the challenge has highlighted his service in the community and fired up his supporters. Both May and Carroll blamed the challenges on political moves by Edmund Sichler’s campaign. Sichler, a Republican, is running for the same seat.

May feels the move backfired.

"I'm disappointed that another campaign would do something like this, which most people view as somewhat frivolous," May said. "I don’t know from a political standpoint what they were thinking." Carroll, a legislative aide for Hasay, said the "Sichler family campaign" used "devious and deceptive campaign strategy" to bump him off. "Obviously, they're afraid of us to stoop to this level," he said.

Sichler denied his campaign orchestrated the challenges, but said candidates must be "detail-oriented and thorough." "These forms are very simple, specific and easy to fill out," he said. "Six other candidates in this race filled out those petitions correctly."

The other Republican candidates are Eugene Stavitzski, Michael McCormick, Karen Boback, Randy Tomasacci, Edmund Sichler Jr. and Stanford Davis.

The only Democrat is Fred Nichols. I don't know anything about him but I picked this up from the comments :

Compiled from wire service reports by Robert Kilborn and Stephanie Cook

BUT, HEY, IT WASN'T LOADED

Lots of things can land a small-town police chief in hot water, but you wouldn't think running a lonely hearts-type ad would be one of them, right? Wrong, at least in Fred Nichols's case. He heads the force in Shickshinny, Pa., but works long hours, is single, and would like a "caring" relationship with someone of the opposite sex. So he posted his wishes on the Internet. Alas, he included an old photo of himself posing with a personal firearm. The matter now is before the town council for possible disciplinary action. But the ad has been effective. To date, Nichols has had at least 300 responses.

I've tried to verify this but can't find the news report. If you have it send it to me.

Hugo Selenski Timeline

From the Citizens Voice:

2001

April 20: Pharmacist Michael Jason Kerkowski is charged with selling drugs without a prescription at the Medicine Shoppe on Route 29, Eaton Township, Wyoming County.

June 28: Kerkowski is charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with a customer's poisoning death. Joseph James Mekuta of Scranton died after taking an anti-depressant

Dec. 17: Kerkowski pleads guilty to two felony counts each of distributing a controlled substance and insurance fraud.

2002

Jan. 9: Kerkowski’s license is suspended by the state.

Jan. 19: He withdraws his pleas.
Jan. 21: He is arrested for practicing without a license.

Feb. 28: A Wyoming County jury takes only 35 minutes to find the pharmacist guilty of selling painkillers without a prescription.

April 25: Kerkowski pleads no contest to several felony charges involving the illegal sale of painkilling prescription drugs and insurance fraud. Charges of involuntary manslaughter in connection with Mekuta’s death are again dismissed.

May 14: Kerkowski misses his sentencing hearing and is considered a fugitive from justice. Also missing is his girlfriend, Tammy Lynn Fassett.

2003

June 5: Two bodies are found in a shallow grave on the Kingston Township, Luzerne County, property where Hugo Marcus Selenski lives. Selenski is arrested on charges of robbery, aggravated assault, making terroristic threats and recklessly endangering another person, stemming from an incident in fall 2002 during which he allegedly robbed Kerkowski’s father of $40,000.

June 8: Investigators confirm the bodies are those of Kerkowski and Fassett.

June 9: Officials unearth more human remains at the site.

July 3: Selenski is ordered to stand trial on robbery and aggravated assault charges.

July 31: Luzerne County District Attorney David Lupas officially indicates Selenski is a suspect in the murders of five people whose remains were found on the Kingston Township property.

Sept. 17: Investigators confirm the identity of two more sets of remains discovered on Selenski’s property. They are Frank James, 29, of New York City and Adeiye Ossasis Keiler, 23, of Kingston. An informant claims that Selenski killed both men, alleged drug dealers, on May 14.

Oct. 6: Selenski is charged with two counts of homicide, criminal conspiracy, robbery and the abuse of a corpse in the deaths of James and Keiler.

Oct. 10: Selenski escapes from the maximum security ward of the Luzerne County Correctional Facility at about 9:40 p.m. Using bedsheets, he climbs down seven stories and then uses a mattress to scale a razor-wire fence.

Oct. 13: Selenski surrenders to state police at 8:40 p.m. at his Kingston Township home. He is taken to the State Correctional Institution at Dallas where he is held in a restricted housing unit.

Nov. 18: District Justice James Tupper rules Selenski will stand trial on two counts each of criminal homicide, robbery and abuse of corpse, and a single count of criminal conspiracy. During the preliminary hearing, Patrick Raymond Russin testifies that Selenski brought Keiler and James to the Mount Olivet Road home in May to "feel them out" as possible robbery targets and then decided to kill them midway through the evening. He said he saw Selenski, 30, shoot both men around 1 a.m.

May 14 and Keiler inside the house several hours later. Russin said the bodies were dragged to a pit on the property and set on fire.

2004

Feb. 5: The Luzerne County district attorney’s office announces it will seek the death penalty against Selenski.

Feb. 6: Selenski's aunt, Catherine Marie Falzone, and her 17-year-old son are charged with hindering apprehension for hiding Selenski in her home the day after his escape.

Feb. 9: A heavily restrained Selenski pleads not guilty to murder charges.

March 12: The estranged wife of Kerkowski is arrested on a federal weapons charge for disposing firearms to known drug addicts or drug users. She later pleads guilty.

June 6: Selenski tells The Citizens’ Voice in an exclusive interview, "I’m not claiming I wasn't involved, but there are other people more involved."

June 9: Federal investigators charge Selenski's younger brother, Ronald Selenski Jr., with providing the accused killer with two shotguns, including the weapon used in two slayings.

2005

Dec. 22: The state Superior Court upholds Judge Peter Paul Olszewski Jr.'s earlier ruling that jurors will not hear an alleged incriminating statement made by Selenski that five bodies would be found on his property.

2006

Jan. 24: Christina Strom pleads guilty to helping Selenski launder thousands of dollars he allegedly got through drug dealing, robbery and murder.She agrees to cooperate with authorities in the investigation and admits in federal court that she was aware money used to purchase her Kingston Township home came from murders and other criminal activity.

Feb. 10: Olszewski rules that Selenski can be held at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility — from which he once escaped — during his trial.

Feb. 15: Olszewski rules Selenski can"t be prosecuted for his escape, stating that prosecutors waited too long to merge the separate homicide and escape charges for trial.

117th District Challenges

You have to get 200 signatures to run in the primary for State representative in Luzerne County. Two candidates are having their petitions challenged in the 117th District.
James E. May IV of Wyoming County and Timothy J. Carroll from the lake.

I started writing that last night but it turns out there are other issues. The TL has the details:

Republicans Tim Carroll and James May failed to disclose pertinent information on their financial disclosure statements, according to the challenges. The May and Carroll campaigns dispute the allegations, saying rival Edmund Sichler is behind the challenges. Court hearings are scheduled for Monday in Harrisburg.

The dispute seems to be over some financial disclosure form that I'm not familiar with. Apparently if you made a couple of hundred bucks from some government entity you have write it down. It seems nitpicky.

The other Republican candidates in the race are:

Eugene Stavitzski, a territory manager for Fleet Pride in Scranton and Hunlock Township resident

Northwest Area School Board member Randy Tomasacci of Huntington Township

Michael McCormick, a borough councilman from Benton, Columbia County

Ross Township Supervisor Stanford Davis

Karen Boback, a Tunkhannock Area School District teacher from Harveys Lake.

This field is so crowded that I can't keep up with it. My guess is if you can 25% of the primary vote you will win the nomination. The good news is it won't be over in May. There is one Democrat running for this seat, Fred Nichols, jr.

117th State Rep debate not set

I think this mailer (above) is pretty funny. It was the first of 3 0r 4 from Karen Boback that says her opponent is running a dirty campaign. Unless I missed something I haven't seen or heard a personal attack by James May on his opponent, he has been slamming her on issues but has never questioned her integrity. Her ads in the papers have been positive touting her endorsements from Lisa Baker, Charlie Lemmond and a bunch of Republican groups but the direct mail has not been so positive. I understand why she is worried after winning the 2006 primary by 108 votes taking only 25% in a crowded race.

The CV and the TL have rundowns of the race today.

Some choice quotes:

“There are times when you see her standing with the most liberal Republicans siding with the Democrats,” May said.

“I am proud of every one of my votes,” Boback said. “I vote my constituency. I vote my district. Health care is not a partisan issue.”

“I am a less-government, less-tax, less-spending conservative,” May said. “Rep. Boback is on the side of big government, big spending with (Gov.) Ed Rendell and Hillary Clinton.”

The goal is to find real solutions to teachers strikes and the negotiating process,” she said. “Having been a teacher, I know children need regular schedules to be able to learn.”Boback said her legislation is supported by the Pennsylvania School Board Association.“It’s a common-sense solution to a problem that affects us all. It would be fair and equitable to everyone involved,” she said.

“I think it’s important to always point out there already a lot of professions that are not allowed to go on strike … doctors, firefighters, police officers, paramedics,” May said.

The only time you go negative in an election is when you think you are behind or you are just plain stupid. In the 2006 10th CD Republican primary Don Sherwood sent out a mailer attacking Kathy Scott by name when most people didn't even know he had an opponent. That was stupid.

Karen Boback is well educated person who is very sharp so she must be worried. She has refused to debate her opponent so far citing her tight schedule. May has said he will meet her anytime, anywhere.

Below we see Boback debating dairy issues with some constituents.

Deadlines

WILKES-BARRE -The Luzerne County Election Bureau can't issue absentee ballots for the primary election on May 16 until the state Supreme Court rules whether Dallas Mayor Tim Carroll can be on the ballot, said Leonard Piazza, the bureau’s director.
Carroll has appealed a Commonwealth Court ruling bumping him from the ballot as a state House candidate for the 117th District.
"We needed to know two weeks ago," Piazza said. And until the bureau learns the final court decision, it can't program its new ATM-like voting machines, either.

Iraq war vet James May has already been knocked off the ballot and is waging a write-in campaign. The other Republican candidates are Eugene Stavitzski, Michael McCormick, Karen Boback, Randy Tomasacci, Edmund Sichler Jr. and Stanford Davis. The winner will face Democrat Fred Nichols in the fall.

The Luzerne County Election Bureau is busy training all involved on the new machines but can't set the ballot until the court rules. This has the makings of a disaster. The only reason we are dealing with this is because Florida couldn't conduct an election in 2000. We have had many close elections but in the end they were settled by a recount of our long serving lever machines. The obvious solution is to use paper ballots for elections but why do that when you can use a $3000 machine to do the same thing?

If you want to see the beasts before you vote they will be on display at the Wyoming Valley Mall Saturday, . noon to 5 p.m Sunday noon to 5 p.m . Then again from 5 to 9 p.m. May 5, noon to 5 p.m. May 6, and noon to 5 p.m. May 7.

Victory Party

If you want to celebrate with your candidate tonight here is where to find them.

Dan Meuser

Ramada Inn- Clarks Summit
820 Northern Blvd.
Clarks Summit , PA. 18411

The party will begin at 8 PM


Chris Hackett

Grotto's Pizza (Rte 415, Harveys Lake) 8PM-Midnight


Karen Boback

Harveys Lake American Legion located along RT 415 1/8 mile ahead of the entrance shortly after 9:00 PM.

James May


James May Election Headquarters 130 North Memorial Highway
Dallas, Pa 18612

Boback has a challenger

It's not surprising for a freshman legislator to be challenged in a primary and we have 3 new State Reps in Luzerne County. Expect Eddie Day Pashinski and Mike Carroll to also have a challenger emerge in time for the April primary election. Let's just hope that the other party puts up a candidate other than Christine Katsock for the General Election. I hate uncontested elections.

In the 117th District Karen Boback won a crowded primary race in 2006 with less than 30% of the vote and went on to a 2 to 1 win in November against the only Democrat that bothered to run.

Boback has received some good press from the local papers as do all our local office holders. The fallout from the Lake Lehman teachers strike has inspired James May, a 37-year-old former U.S. Army chaplain and resident of Falls Township to take her on. May, a Republican, said the issue of teacher strikes is the reason he intends to mount a campaign against Boback, who took office in January.

Just in the way of disclosure he was a candidate last time but got bounced off the ballot because of an incomplete financial disclosure form and his website is still out there.

He has attracted the attention of one of the Republican heavy hitters.

“The Conservative Reform PAC will be sending him $9,201,” Bob Guzzardi, PAC president, said. “A check is a tangible sign of support."

$9,201 to May's campaign struck me as an odd amount. Is there some significance to that number? So I asked Bob Guzzardi to explain. His reply:

Yes, it is one dollar more than given to Boback by PSEA. Parental choice is education is a core value of the Conservative Reform PAC and Rep. Boback has evidenced hostility to Penna. Charter Schools, which are one choice parents may want to choose for their children. Conservative Reform PAC also advocates for the expansion of Education Improvement Tax Credit, closest to free market in education that is politically feasible, and represents a legitimate compromise to me. www.dollarsfollowscholars.com is a web site I set up and, perhaps, could educate the electorate with a focus on the facts of the value of this program. Parents, although not perfect, are much better able to make decisions for their children's education than anonymous government bureaucrats. And allocating educational resources based on zip code seems harsh and counterproductive. In past 10 years, spending has more than doubled, above rate of inflation, and learning has not improved at all. Time for choice and competition in education; free markets for free people.

EITC is the only vehicle that can transform urban education, in my opinion.

I also support Simon Campbell and Strike Free Education in Pennsylvania www.stopteacherstrikes.com Teachers strike for their money and their benefits, not better education.

Petition challenge

I'm surprised there are not more. Past wannabe Commissioner Bill James made some objections to wannabe Prothonotary Walter Mitchell's nominating petitions and financial disclosure forms.

Bill claims he has altruistic motives

“Things brought questions into my mind, and I just had to step forward.”

James has pointed out some problems with Mitchell's paperwork including an incomplete financial disclosure.

Mitchell did not give complete financial disclosure because he cites as sources of income “various insurance companies” but does not give any names or addresses. It also states that Mitchell’s signature only appears on one of the 20 separate nominating petitions he filed, and that he fails to give the name of the office he seeks. James is asking for eight of the 20 petitions to be invalidated because Mitchell does not list the electoral district on them, the document states. As a result, Mitchell would only have 233 signatures, falling short of the required 250.

It looks like Bill James is backing Carolee Medico in her quest to recapture the office. I think Carolee wins the Republican primary going away and will probably cruise to victory in the fall so this challenge may be unnecessary. According to the TL Lance Strange from Lackawanna County is the point man for Mitchell's camp and thinks this is a desperate tactic.

"We are not going to speculate to exactly who is behind the challenge,” Stange said, adding Mitchell’s campaign “will be moving forward with a vigorous defense.”
In the end, Mitchell will be on the ballot and win the upcoming election, Stange said.

W-B Area School Director candidate Christine Katsock is challenging James Susek right to be on the ballot. Katsock states Susek did not file a required statement of financial interest before the March 10 deadline. If Christine keeps running for office she may eventually get elected to something.


The best petition challenger around for the last few years has been Republican Liz Sichler but her title search company Priority Search Inc. has seemed to have adopted the same business practices as Bernie Madoff. So she is unavailable for comment.

Debates set

The League of Women Voters, Wilkes-Barre Area, will present a debate between candidates running for the 20th State Senatorial District at 7 p.m. March 29 at College Misericordia.

There are six contenders for the Senate seat to be vacated by Charles Lemmond, and all have confirmed they will participate in the debate. Candidates include: Lisa Baker, Lehman; Russell Bigus, Dallas; James Haggerty, Kingston; David Madeira, Dallas; Robert McNamara, Susquehanna; and Carl Sutton, Dallas.

League Board Members Christine McLaughlin and Jane Manganella, who are serving as co-chairs for debates, announced that the League also will present debates between candidates running for these state House seats:

121st District – 7 p.m. April 5 at Wilkes University’s Stark Learning Center, Room 101

Democratic candidates are Brian O’Donnell, Bob Reilly, Jim Hayward and Ed Pashinski. The lone Republican is Christine Katsock.

118th District – 7 p.m. April 26 at Pittston Area High School Auditorium

Democratic candidates include Mike Carroll of Avoca, who is state Rep. John Yudichak’s chief of staff, Alfred Akulonis Jr., Third District Democratic vice chairman Terrance Best and former Avoca mayor James “Red” O’Brien, both Pittston Area School Board members. Republican candidates are Luzerne County chief deputy sheriff Arthur Bobbouine, former Pleasant Valley school board member Jim Spinola and Chestnuthill Township Supervisor Maureen Tatu.

117th District – 7 p.m. May 4 at Penn State Lehman’s Hayfield House Room 105

The lone Democrat is Fed Nichols. The small army of Republicans: Eugene Stavitzski, Michael McCormick, James May (if he survives a court challenge), Tim Carroll, Karen Boback, Randy Tomasacci, Edmund Sichler Jr. and Stanford Davis.

I have been trying to track down websites for all the candidates. So if you are aware of any I missed please let me know.

Looking to 2014

As my long time readers know the primary focus of this blog has always been elections. Next year we choose a Governor of the Commonwealth, members of the US House and state House and half the state Senate. In the next few days I will post about these and some races around the country.

PA Gov Tom Cabot Corbett has an uphill climb according to the polls but things can change in the next year and no sitting Guv has lost reelection since they have been allowed to run for a 2nd term. So far there are 8 Dems smelling blood in the water.

The Lt. Governors race is most interesting as I have met most of the Democratic contenders. My early favorite is Brad Koplinski because he sent me a bribe.

Of the 3 local Congressman I keep an eye on only Matt Cartwright has a declared opponent so far. 2 of them in fact. A few people are teasing that they will run against Lou Barletta including Bill Vinsko, Gene Stilp and Chris Carney but I doubt any of them will run. Libetarian Betsy Summers may get into it.

A few weeks ago an old friend called to feel me out about running against Tom Marino in the Republican primary. His rational was Marino is one of the most ethically challenged people to ever hold office.  I had to throw cold water on the idea because his family wasn't behind it and he would need to declare right now and raise at least $100K before the end of the year.


On the state scene Sen. John Yudichak has no declared opponent so far. Neither do Mike Carroll, Phyllis Mundy, Eddie Day Pashinski, Tarah Toohil or Gerry Mullery. I heard a rumor that Mullery may get a primary opponent.

Karen Boback however is being challenged by Laura Dickson. I haven't been this excited about a state rep race since James May took her on.

Russ Bigus for State Represenative

"I want to be in Harrisburg. I'll do whatever it takes to get there."-Russ Bigus

PolitickerPA has an interview with 117th State Rep District Democratic nominee Russ Bigus. The last time he ran for office he was a Republican candidate in the 20th Senate District primary in 2006, he came in fourth. Since then he switched party's along with his pal Bill Jones.


Chris Borick, a pollster and political science professor at Muhlenberg College in Allentown thinks he has a good chance of winning; "Because he had his roots as a Republican, he might be able to draw some support from across party lines." He also points out that a freshman that had a competitive primary race may be vulnerable. James May gave Karen Boback a good run in the spring but came up short by about 1100 votes out of 7300 cast while Bigus was unopposed for the Democratic nomination and garnered 5665.

Bigus takes some unconventional positions for a Democrat backing the NRA and bashing teacher's strikes and is trying to win over May supporters.

PAPoliticker reporter Dan Hirschhorn tried to get Karen to talk about the race but:

Boback did not return nearly a dozen messages left in July at her district office, her campaign office and her house.

Maybe this constituent has her cell phone number.

Pennsylvania Club for Growth backs James May

Before a crowd of business leaders and supporters PA Club for Growth President Kathryn English said that this is the first time the group has ever endorsed a candidate from Northeastern PA and only will back a few candidates this year.

The Club's priorities are lower taxes, less spending, right to work and school choice. They are also pushing the Taxpayer Protection Act that wants to limit the growth of state government using a formula involving inflation and population growth.

She said that many Republican candidates sound good but get "Susquehanna Fever" and forget what they ran on once elected. She said that Gov. Ed Rendell once called her an "imbecile." She sounded proud of that.

When May took the podium he shared some of his experiences as an Army Chaplin in Iraq, Walter Reed and presiding at funerals at Arlington National Cemetery. Then he stated that he thought that the government should just get out of the way of business. He pointed out that you can't cut taxes unless you first reign in spending and advocates school choice alleging some districts spend $14K per pupil. Someone in the audience said you could send a kid to Wyoming Seminary for that kind of money. He railed against the $6 million a year that the legislature spends on nice glossy mailers to inform constituents of their activities as an example of government waste. May wants PA to become a Right to Work state objecting workers being "forced" into joining a union. He finished with his opposition to teacher's strikes making an analogy to some occupations that are too important to allow to strike such as the Army, Police and Doctors.

He started with a quote of Ronald Reagan from 1976 telling the crowd he will be a Republican“in bold, unmistakable colors, rather than pastel shades.” And finished by saying “I love teachers – I married a teacher.”

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Bill O'Boyle of the TL was there and has this write up and GrassrootsPA has the press release. I also posted some pictures of the event on Facebook.

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