News

2010 primaries

March 10

Hopefuls line up for Senate runs

Stage set for battles in Democratic primaries in 14th and 22nd Senate districts.

BILL O ’ BOYLE boboyle@timesleader.com

The field is set in the Democratic primary with three candidates in the race to see who will battle Republican Luzerne County Commissioner Steve Urban in the November general election in the 14th Senatorial District.

Wilkes-Barre Mayor Tom Leighton, state Rep. John Yudichak and Pittston Township union representative Michael Saporito have filed their nominating petitions in Harrisburg.

Urban, 57, is unopposed in the May 18 GOP primary. Betsy Sommers, 52, of Wilkes-Barre, is running in the general election as a member of the Libertarian Party.

Leighton, 49, is in his second term as mayor of the city, and Yudichak, 39, is serving his sixth term in the state House of Representatives.

Leighton said he is looking forward to an energetic campaign.

“I’ve been working hard, visiting with people throughout the 14th District,” Leighton said. “So far it’s been very encouraging.”

Leighton listed the priority issues as property tax reform, economic development and job creation.

Leighton and his wife, Patty, have one son and two daughters.

Yudichak said he intends to focus on issues affecting his constituents. He said this election will be about the people of the 14th District.

“It will be about job creation,” Yudichak said. “We have to get Northeastern Pennsylvanians back to work. This election more than any other, is about the people and not politicians.”

Yudichak, 39, of Nanticoke, said he will always stand up for the people – for working families.

“People are hurting and they are concerned about their futures,” he said. “They see Luzerne County politicians as out of touch.”

Yudichak and his wife, Heather, have three daughters.

Urban, who is also running for lieutenant governor, said his time as a county commissioner has prepared him well for the state Senate.

“We have to admit to ourselves that business creates jobs, not government,” Urban said. “We must make Pennsylvania business-friendly.”

Urban wants to get the private sector involved in creating sustaining jobs, and he will work for property tax relief. Urban also opposes the tolling of Interstate 80.

Urban and his wife, Linda, have five children and four grandchildren.

Saporito, 42, of Pittston Township, is a union representative for the United Steel Workers Local 15253, a vice president of the AFL-CIO state organization and member of its executive council. Saporito said he will be announcing his candidacy at a press conference in the near future.

In the 20th Senatorial District, incumbent Republican Lisa Baker, 48, of Lehman Township, has no opposition in the primary and no Democratic opposition in the general election.

In the 22nd Senatorial District, six Democrats and one Republican are seeking the nomination.

John Blake, 49, of Archbald, resigned his job as second in command at the state Department of Community and Economic Development to run for the Senate.

“All the candidates are good people,” Blake said. “I’ve worked with them through the years; however, I believe I’m the best man for the job.”

Blake said he will campaign on his nearly 30 years of public service in economic development. Blake is married and has two children.

Mark Nevins, spokesman for Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty, called the race “interesting.”

“Voters are going to have a clear choice between someone like Mayor Doherty, who has a record of economic growth and fighting for the Northeast, and other candidates who have gotten swept up in the Harrisburg culture of perks and per diems at taxpayer expense,” Nevins said. “We’re looking forward to a vigorous debate on these issues.”

Tony Coppola, spokesman for state Rep. Jim Wansacz, D-Old Forge, said the primary makes for a very competitive race.

“Rep. Wansacz will run hard, he’s been knocking on doors to take his message and his record to the voters,” Coppola said. “His key issues are jobs, education, affordable health care, environment and property tax relief.”

Wansacz, in his fifth term in the state House, is married and has one child.

Other candidates in the race are former Lackawanna County commissioner Joe Corcoran, 59, of Scranton, Christopher Phillips of Scranton and Lackawanna County insurance company owner Charles Volpe – all Democrats.

They could not be reached for comment. Republican Frank Scavo of Old Forge is unopposed in the primary.

Bill O’Boyle, a Times Leader staff wrier, may be reached at 829-7218.

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