Six seek GOP nomination for 113th state House district special election

Jul. 16—A half dozen potential candidates seek to represent the Republican Party in a November special election to fill former state Rep. Marty Flynn's seat.

The 113th state House District seat became vacant June 9, when the Scranton Democrat took the oath of office as a state senator. Flynn won a special election May 18 for the 22nd Senate District seat vacated by John Blake.

The Lackawanna County Republican Party's 113th Legislative District committee's deadline for applicants seeking the party's nomination to submit their names passed Wednesday with six applying. They include insurance agency owner Joe Albert; lawncare and home clean-out business owner David Burgerhoff; self-employed contractor William Kresge; former county chief deputy sheriff Dominick Manetti; retired school teacher and former Bishop O'Hara High School football coach John Sheroda; and attorney Martin Toth.

The Republican nominee will face Thom Welby — Flynn's former chief of staff when he served in the state House — the lone Democrat who applied for that party's nomination. Other Democrats wanted a shot at the seat, but refrained from applying after top local Democratic Party officials said they'd only consider a placeholder candidate who pledged not to seek re-election next year.

Whoever wins the special election Nov. 2, which coincides with the general municipal election, will serve the remainder of Flynn's term, which expires Nov. 30, 2022.

A retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel, Albert said veterans affairs issues and securing more state funding for the financially-challenged Scranton School District will be among his top priorities if he secures the Republican nomination and is ultimately elected to the vacant seat.

He also argued he'd be more effective as a member of the majority in the Republican-controlled state legislature than Welby, who as a Democrat would be in the minority.

Burgerhoff, who described himself as a problem solver who'd bring a working-class mentality to the position, expressed a similar sentiment.

"I don't see any point in giving the seat to someone as a placeholder ... in the minority party, when you can hand it to a Republican and bring a majority representation to the area that we haven't had in many years," Burgerhoff said.

Democrats have held the 113th state House District seat since 1969. Prior to 1969, seats were apportioned by county.

The Republican candidate for the seat in 2016, Burgerhoff said Wednesday he'd work to reign in the state budget, address blight in the district and achieve property tax reform, among other goals, if elected.

Kresge, a Navy veteran who came up short in his 2020 run to unseat Flynn, said he'd work to attract more businesses to the district, promote financial accountability and push for tax reform, including school property tax reform.

He also vowed to serve all of the district's constituents, be they Democrats, Republicans or Independents.

Manetti also committed to serving the constituents, noting he'd bring a law enforcement background and career in public service to the position. An Army veteran, he said he'd focus on business growth, infrastructure, addressing blight, tax reform and helping businesses and residents recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I think, to me, that's what a representative does," Manetti said.

Sheroda, who planned to seek the Democratic nomination for the vacant seat, said he registered as a Republican after the local Democratic Party limited applications to those vowing not to run for another term in 2022.

Arguing he's served people his whole life, including as an educator, coach and referee, Sheroda said he's ready to serve the constituents of the 113th district as their state representative.

Toth said he cares about and wants to do good things for the constituents of the 113th.

"Oftentimes we scramble to catch up to where ... other areas of the Commonwealth are," Toth said. "I want to be able to go forward. I want progress. I want to focus on the 21st century."

In an email, Lackawanna County Republican Party Chairman Lance Stange Jr. said the 113th Legislative District committee will meet July 24 to interview candidates and make a recommendation to the county GOP's executive committee. The executive committee will then meet July 29 to select the party's nominee.

The 113th district includes Green Ridge, North Scranton, West Scranton, Minooka, the Plot and part of center city in Scranton, as well as South Abington Twp. and Clarks Green Borough. State representatives earn an annual salary of $90,335.

Contact the writer: jhorvath@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9141; @jhorvathTT on Twitter.