County GOP makes its pick for judge

With county judicial elections looming, the Lackawanna County Republican Executive Board announced on Friday afternoon they voted to endorse Frank Castellano to fill the open seat on the common pleas court.

The board also voted unanimously to retain incumbent district attorney Andy Jarbola and judges Michael Barrasse and Terrence Nealon for another term, according to Lance Stange, secretary of the party.

The executive board consists of more than 40 local GOP officials led by chairman Paul Catalano, vice chairwoman Barbara Davenport, secretary Stange and treasurer Gary Propesi, the tax collector from Old Forge Borough. Twenty-three members of the executive board were in attendance for the vote.

The group met at the Ramada in Clarks Summit and all four judicial candidates were interviewed: Castellano (R), Margie Visignani-Moyle (D), attorney Jim Tierney (D) and district judge John Pesota (D).

Stange emphasized three of the candidates are registered Democrats and were still allowed to present their candidacy. He said the Democratic executive committee refused to let Castellano speak because he is Republican.

When questioned, all four candidates said they disagreed with that policy, even Tierney who admitted winning the Democratic Party endorsement.

Each candidate was given the floor to present concise “stump speeches,” he said. They stuck to their qualifications and family history and said they believe a judge should focus on in the future, he said.

“We wanted to keep a friendly environment,” he added. “Nobody was confrontational and the candidates were happy to address the committee,” Stange said.

The endorsement was provided after serious consideration, Stange said. The party members made sure to interview all of the candidates equally before making their final decision, he said.

The interviews were done in the “spirit of fairness, transparency, and the non-partisan nature of judicial races” he said.

Republican Party Chairman Paul Catalano said Castellano is “exactly the kind of person Lackawanna County needs to serve as its next judge.” Castellano possess the right “qualities and experience,” he said, adding the GOP hierarchy is “proud” to back him.

The endorsement will be helpful for voters who are often asked to make a decision without getting a chance to interview the candidates themselves, he said.