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By Bill O'Boyle boboyle@timesleader.com
Times Leader Staff Writer
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PITTSTON TOWNSHIP - State Sen. Ray Musto will not run for re-election, bringing an end to his near 40-year career in public service.

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State Senator Raphael Musto speaks to a Times Leader reporter in his office Wednesday. Don Carey Times Leader Photo.

Don Carey

Sen. Musto

Source: legis.state.pa.us

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Musto, 80, of Pittston Township, said Wednesday that he met with his family – his wife, Frances, his four children, seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild - on Sunday and decided it was time to step aside.

The senator’s term will conclude on November 30.

The decision leaves a wide open race in the 14th Senatorial District with several names already surfacing as possible candidates to replace the venerable Musto.

State Rep. John Yudichak, D-Nanticoke, Wilkes-Barre Mayor Tom Leighton and former Pittston City Mayor Michael Lombardo have all been mentioned as possible candidates and more names are sure to surface.

The soon to be open seat will surely attract a candidate from the Republican Party as the newly reorganized GOP searches its ranks to find a suitable contender for the position.

“I sat down with my wife and children on Sunday,” Musto said. “They brought up a lot of things; things that I missed when my children were growing up. They told me they didn’t want to see me miss those same things in my grandchildren’s lives.”

Musto said he is in excellent health and he wants to have time to enjoy his family – especially those seven grandchildren.

“Certainly I have mixed feelings about this,” Musto said. “There is so much left to do. But I think it’s time for me to step away.”

Musto said the Sunday conversation with his family left him to think about a lot of things and it made him come to a realization.

“It’s important to be at those family gatherings; there were so many I was unable to attend,” Musto said. “We’ve always been a close knit family; without their support I never would have been able to do my job in the senate.”

Musto said he is proud of many accomplishments in the Senate. He talked about his drive for legislation to protect the environment and for grandparents raising grandchildren.

He said he was extremely proud to have been able to effect legislation that led to Dr. James Post entering medical school. Musto led the charge to amend the state’s Fair Education Act to prohibit discrimination due to physical disability. Prior to Musto’s amendment, the act included every category except physical handicap. Post has quadriplegia and practices medicine in New York City.

Musto also spearheaded the effort to establish the Nescopeck State Park.

“It would not have become a state park if we didn’t get involved,” Musto said.

Musto said he is not sure if he will stay active in politics; he said family is now his first and only priority.

“Maybe I will take on the role of statesman and see how this all works out,” he said. “At this time, I don’t have a favorite candidate to replace me; I think it might be best to just let the people select who they want in the Senate.”

When his term is up on Nov. 30, Musto will have completed seven terms in the Senate – 28 years – a career that followed a short one-year stint as U.S. Congressman from the 11th District and eight years as a state representative.

Mark Bufalino, chairman of the Luzerne County Democratic Committee, said Musto has served the 14th District and the state well.

“We respect Sen. Musto’s decision and his contributions to not just the Democratic Party, but to his constituents, are unparalleled,” Bufalino said. “We sincerely wish him well.”

Bufalino said the party will have to wait and see who comes forward with interest in running for the seat.

“We will see who is interested and go from there,” Bufalino said. “We will then make a decision as to whether or not to make an endorsement.”

Prospective candidates will be able to begin circulating nominating petitions on Feb. 16 and the last day to circulate and file the petitions is March 9. The last day to withdraw petitions is March 24.

“I have been fortunate and blessed, and I am grateful for all the kindness that has been extended to me over the years,” Musto said. “It has been a privilege and an honor to serve.”

The veteran lawmaker served in the state House from 1971 to 1980. He began his career when he was elected in a special election in 1971 to fill his late father James Musto’s unexpired term. Musto was then elected to Congress in a special election in 1980. In 1982, he was elected to the state Senate. Musto has the distinction of being among only a few public servants to serve in the U.S. Congress, the state House and state Senate.

“My father was an inspiration to me and still is to this day,” Musto said. “He taught me the value of hard work, good friends and that in public service you don’t have to dislike others because you disagree with them.”

Musto said he hopes that the result of his long years of service is that Northeaster Pennsylvania and the entire state will be a better place to live, work and raise a family.

For many years, Musto has been the regarded as a leading voice on environmental issues in the Senate and as a fierce advocate for his district. He was instrumental in the passage of a number of well-known environmental laws, legislation that ensured rights for disabled men and women and has focused recent efforts on issues involved with grandparents raising young children.

Among the notable environmental laws and initiatives that were completed as a result of Musto’s work:

· Legislation that created Pennsylvania’s curbside recycling program - the largest in the country.

· Act 165 (1990) a measure that enables counties to be better prepared in the event of a hazardous materials spill.

· Far-reaching changes to the Air Pollution Control Act (Act 95) that has led to steadily improving air quality.

· Pennsylvania’s land recycling program - Acts 2, 3 and 4 of 1995 - which has become the national model program for the effective re-use of abandoned industrial property.

· Act 68 (1999) Pennsylvania’s Growing Greener program that has led to the protection of open spaces and farmland preservation as well as water and sewer system upgrades.

For many years, Musto has been the Democratic chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee. He has also been chair of the Education Committee, Local Government Committee and served in Democratic Leadership as Caucus Secretary.

A resident of Pittston Township, Musto has been extremely active providing grants and assistance for local road, bridge and jobs projects throughout his district.

He said he has worked hard to aid the revitalization efforts currently underway in Hazleton and Pittston and has been a tireless supporter of job creation efforts of the economic development group Can-do. In addition, he said a great many local fire companies across the district have benefited from grants acquired on their behalf by Musto.

“It is amazing how much can be accomplished when no one worries about who gets the credit,” Musto said, attributing his long tenure in the Senate and in public service to his dedicated staff and supportive family.

“My staff both in the district and Harrisburg has been quietly serving residents for nearly 40 years and doing a tremendous job meeting the needs of the local community. There are great public servants who, along with my family, made great sacrifices over the years. Being in public service is a tough job where criticism and cynicism come with the territory; but it is also a wonderful job because you can directly make a difference in the lives of people.”

Musto is a Korean War veteran who served in the U.S. Army from 1951-53. He is a 1971 graduate of King’s College in Wilkes-Barre. He holds Doctorate of Letters degrees from Kings and Wilkes Colleges. Musto has received many awards and honors for his work in the Senate.

Ed Mitchell, local political analyst, said he expects a crowded field for the race to replace Musto. However, Mitchell said he has not yet received any inquiries from potential candidates regarding his services.