Commissioners, county treasurer races headline May primary election ballot

Borys Krawczeniuk, Jeff Horvath and David Singleton, The Times-Tribune, Scranton, Pa.
·8 min read

Mar. 8—Contested races for the major parties' Lackawanna County commissioner nominations and the Democratic county treasurer nomination will highlight the May 16 primary election ballot.

For the two Democratic commissioner nominations, incumbent Commissioner Jerry Notarianni of Scranton will square off against former Scranton City Council President Bill Gaughan; former NFL quarterback Matt McGloin, a former West Scranton resident who lives in Waverly Twp.; Abington Heights School Director Philip Robson of South Abington Twp., and Michael Fedorka of Dickson City. None of the Democrats are running as a team.

For the two Republican nominations, incumbent Commissioner Chris Chermak, a Dalton resident, and his running mate, Mayfield Borough Council President Diana Campbell, face opposition from former county Commissioner Laureen Cummings of Old Forge and former Scranton City Councilman Brian J. Reap.

In the treasurer's race, the Democratic field has two candidates: legislative aide Angela Rempe Jones of Scranton, and insurance agent J.R. Refice of Jessup. No Republican filed for nomination.

For county common pleas court judge, attorney Frank Ruggiero, the county solicitor, faces no opposition for the Democratic or Republican nominations. That means he will likely win the seat in November, barring a successful third-party or independent candidate challenge.

Only one magisterial district judge election will have a contested race. In the district that includes the city's Green Ridge neighborhood and Dunmore, incumbent Judge Paul Ware faces opposition from attorney Mariclare Hayes.

Vacancies in two other magisterial races will have only one candidate. Attorney Sean Gallagher is the lone candidate in the district that consists of West Scranton and North Scranton. Gallagher's father, Judge Terrence Gallagher, is retiring. Attorney Christopher Szewczyk is the only candidate for the lower Midvalley magisterial seat. Judge John Pesota is retiring from that seat.

Gallagher and Szewczyk are seeking both nominations and are likely to be the new magistrates, barring third-party or independent candidate challenges.Lackawanna County

COMMISSIONER: Diana Campbell (R), Chris Chermak (R), Laureen Cummings (R), Michael Fedorka (D), Bill Gaughan (D), Matt McGloin (D), Jerry Notarianni (D), Brian J. Reap (R) and Philip Robson (D).

COURT OF COMMON PLEAS JUDGE: Frank Ruggiero (D/R).

CONTROLLER: Gary A. DiBileo (D).

CLERK OF JUDICIAL RECORDS: Mauri Kelly (D).

CORONER: Tim Rowland (D).

TREASURER: Angela Rempe Jones (D) and J.R. Refice (D).

MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT JUDGE: 45-1-01 (Downvalley): George Seig (D/R); 45-1-03 (South Scranton): Joanne Price Corbett (D/R); 45-1-05 (West Scranton/North Scranton): Sean Gallagher (D/R); 45-1-06 (Green Ridge, Scranton/Dunmore): Mariclare Hayes (D/R) and Paul J. Ware (D/R); 45-1-08 (Lower Midvalley): Christopher Szewczyk (D/R); 45-3-02 (North Pocono): Kipp E. Adcock (D/R); 45-3-04 (Upper Midvalley): Laura M. Turlip (D/R).

Cities, boroughs and townships

ARCHBALD: Council: Richard Guman (D), Steven Krahl (D), David Moran (D), Erin Owen (D) and Johnny J. Shnipes (D).

BENTON: Supervisor: Larry Seymour (D) and Joseph Thomas Jr. (R).

BLAKELY: Council: Edward Alco (D), Kyle Burak (D), Kevin M. Swift (D) and Patrick S. Zwanch (D); Controller: Carlo Celli (D).

CARBONDALE CITY: Mayor: Michele M. Bannon (D), Maria A. Lawler (D) and Joe Vadella (D); Council (4-year): Gerald J. Arnese (D), Joseph P. Connor (D), Robert W. Farber (R) and Joseph "Doc" Marzzacco (D); Council (2-year): Walter Martzen (D) and Tom Voglino (D).

CARBONDALE TWP.: Supervisor: Paul Figliomeni (D); Auditor: Sandra Russo (D).

CLARKS GREEN: Council (4-year): Ashley Yando DeFlice (D), William J. Egan Jr. (D), M.J. Igoe (D), Terrence R. Nealon Jr. (D) and Olga Trushina (D); Council (2-year unexpired): David J. Rinaldi (D).

CLARKS SUMMIT: Council: Frank S. Besten (D), Stephen Guza (R), Robert P. Sheils III (R) and Kathleen Simrell (D); Mayor (2-year unexpired): Harry Kelly (D).

CLIFTON: Supervisor: Erin Horrigan (R) and Jill Zindle (R).

COVINGTON: Supervisor: Wanda Andreoli (R) and Bill Willson (R).

DALTON: Council (4-year): Elizabeth Bonczar (R), Bill Brandt (R) and Brian Malamud (R).

DICKSON CITY: Council: James H. DeVoe (D), Michael Fedorka (D), John Horvath (D), Kimberly A. Kanuik (D) and Jeffrey R. Kovaleski (D).

DUNMORE: Council: Vincent Amico (D), Janet Brier (D), Michael A. Dempsey (D), Michael Hayes (D), Patrick "Nibs" Loughney (D) and Beth McDonald Zangardi (D).

FELL: Supervisor: Vince "Sonny" Barrese (D); Tax Collector (2-year unexpired): Jeremy Fedorchak (R).

GLENBURN: Supervisor: William Wicks (R).

GREENFIELD: Supervisor: Nicholas Bonczkiewicz (D); Auditor: Mary C. Nicolosi (D).

JEFFERSON: Supervisor: Jason B. Hollister (R).

JERMYN: Council: Robert Hunt (R), Frank Kulick (D) and Carl J. Tomaine (R).

JESSUP: Council: Curt Camoni (D), Jeff "Chip" Castellani (D), Jerry Crinella (D), Robbie Martin (D), Rella Scassellati (D) and Francis Craig Shander (D).

MADISON: Supervisor: Rodney Quinn (D) and Phil Setzer (R); Auditor: Eloise "Lois" Fischer (R).

MAYFIELD: Council: Wendy Bochnovich (R), Bridget Boettcher (R), Thomas Hartman (R) and Mary McDermott Rosler (R).

MOOSIC: Council: Ashley Fauver Aldubayan (D), Michael Cola (R), Marilyn Lavelle French (D), Timothy Gaughan (D) and Jane Sterling (D).

MOSCOW: Council: Joseph Castrogiovanni (D), Edward D. Gaughan (D) and Marc Gaughan (D).

NORTH ABINGTON: Supervisor (6-year): Gary Wilding (R); Supervisor (4-year unexpired): George Wolter (R); Tax Collector (2-year unexpired): Laura A. Mennig (R).

OLD FORGE: Council (4-year): Lou Febbo (R), Michael Komensky (R), Michael Lettieri (R), Rick Notari (D), Russ Rinaldi (D), Jenna Jones Shotwell (D) and Michael (Zeke) Zupon (R).

OLYPHANT: Mayor (2-year unexpired): Jonathan Sedlak (D); Council: Mike Abda (D), Beth Frushon (D), Dina Harrington (D), Eric Hartshorn (D) and Robert Hudak (D).

RANSOM: Supervisor: Jerry Scott (R).

ROARING BROOK: Supervisor: Tony Jordan (D); Auditor: Catherine Schield (R).

SCOTT: Supervisor: Michael Giannetta (R), Naomi Johnson (D) and Logan Clauss-Walton (R); Auditor: Deborah Healey-Sawicki (D).

SCRANTON: Controller: John J. Murray (D); Council (4-year): Tyler Day (R), Joe Matyjevich (D), Mark McAndrew (D), Marc Pane (R) and Jessica Rothchild (D); Council (2-year, unexpired): Joe Matyjevich (D), Darwin Shaw (R) and Gerald Smurl (D).

SOUTH ABINGTON: Supervisor: Mark T. Dougherty (R).

SPRING BROOK: Supervisor: Jason McLain (R) and Mary Nicosia (D).

TAYLOR: Council: Francis DeAngelo (D), Leslie Sweet Derenick (R), Bill Englehardt (R), Edward J. Fortuna (R), Len Maldonato (D) and Chuck McKeel (D).

THORNHURST: Auditor: Michelle Jordan (R).

THROOP: Council (4-year): Jeanine Chomko Capman (R), Bob Magliocchi (D), Chris Mazzucca (D) and Charlene Tomasovitch (D); Council (2-year unexpired): Matthew Chorba (D).

VANDLING: Council: Francis Pantzar (R).

WAVERLY: Supervisor: David Rothenberg (R).

WEST ABINGTON: Supervisor (4-year, unexpired): David M. Gable (R).

School districts

ABINGTON HEIGHTS: Region 1: Warren T. Acker (D/R); Region 2: Rod Azar (D/R); Region 3: Grace Hillebrand (D/R); At large: Rod Azar (D/R), Greg Moran (D/R) and Philip Edward Robson (D/R).

CARBONDALE AREA: Region 1: Nathan Masco (D/R) and John Revak (D/R); Region 2: Gary Smedley (D/R); Region 3: Joseph F. Caviston (D/R) and David J. Osborne (D/R); Region 3 (2-year, unexpired): Peter David Turonis (D).

DUNMORE: Gregory Hunt (D/R), Francis X. Kranick Jr. (D/R), Jessica Libassi (D/R), Joe Muracco (D/R) and Dean Tallo (D/R).

FOREST CITY: Region 4: Bernice Lukus (D/R).

LACKAWANNA TRAIL: Region 3 (2-year unexpired): Brendan Dwyer (D/R).

LAKELAND: Region 1: Angela Giglia-Morrison (D/R); Region 3: Bobby Boyarsky (D/R).

MIDVALLEY: Region 1: Anthony Barrett (D/R); Region 2: Glenn M. Cashuric (D/R), Donna Dixon (D/R) and Gerald Luchansky (D/R); Region 3: Ronald P. Bukowski (D/R) and Gabrielle A.P. Shimkus (D/R).

NORTH POCONO: Region 2: Joseph Bunk (D/R), Bill Burke (D/R), Tim Bracey (D/R), Ashley Messoline (D/R) and Dennis Wolff (D/R); Region 3: Christopher Bassi (D/R), Diane Croom (D/R), Sean Jennings (D/R), John Martinelli (D/R) and Erin Fotta Skonieczki (D/R).

OLD FORGE: Marie Pero Ciuferri (D/R), Alicia A. DiLeo (R), Dr. Shannon Exeter (D/R), Robert J. Notari (D/R) and Dr. Alexandra Riggleman (D/R).

RIVERSIDE: William J. Borent (D/R), Leigh Ann Bieber Gasper (D/R), Linda Smerdon Joyce (D/R), Laura L. Kobeski (D/R), Joseph Labrosky Jr. (D/R), Brandi Shrader Luckasavage (D/R), Anthony Mattioli (D/R) and Mary Antoniacci McHugh (D/R).

SCRANTON: Tom Borthwick (D/R), David A. Burgerhoff (D/R), Robert I. Casey (D/R), Carol Cleary (D/R), Sarah E. Cruz (D/R), Mark Dennebaum (D/R); Catherine Fox (D/R), Christopher Gaidos (D), Ro Hume (D/R), Marie Merkel (D/R) and Tara Yanni (D/R).

VALLEY VIEW: Region 1: James M. Addley (D/R) and Christopher Wrubel (D/R); Region 2: Alan "Al" Gillow (D/R), Jesse Donnini (D), John M. Evans (D/R), Tracy Grant (D/R) and Joshua Seamans (R); Region 3: Joseph Caprari (D/R), Sarah May Helcoski (D/R), Laurie Marino (D/R) and David R. Valvano (D/R).

Contact the writer: bkrawczeniuk@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9147; @BorysBlogTT on Twitter; jhorvath@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9141; @jhorvathTT on Twitter; dsingleton@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9132.