Plains Twp. man to challenge state Rep. Pashinski

James O’Meara got involved in Luzerne County Republican Party politics several years as a volunteer, but he never imagined running for an elected office.

O’Meara, 52, said that when he learned last week that two-term incumbent Democratic state Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski did not have an opponent in the 121st Legislative District race, he knew he had to get involved.

“It drives me crazy that people do not have a choice. It’s a shame if you see anybody running unopposed. There should always be a choice out there,” said O’Meara, who works as an information systems supervisor repairing computers.

If O’Meara receives enough votes to get his name listed on the ballot, he would face Pashinski in November. Currently neither O’Meara nor Pashinski has any competitors in their respective May 18 primaries.

O’Meara never considered running for office before because, over the years, he gradually lost his hearing due to a genetic issue. He is now able to hear again since he received a cochlear implant last fall.

He said he feels an obligation to show others who may suffer from hearing loss or other disabilities that they too can serve the public despite what others may view as an impediment.

“Hey, if you do have an obstacle, go around it. Go over it. Do whatever you got to do,” he said.

O’Meara said bringing more top-quality manufacturing jobs to the area and providing property-tax reform will help stimulate the economy and the area.

“There are so many people that are literally being strangled by property taxes … . If people weren’t being strangled by property taxes, you talk about economic stimulus, that is money they could be spending in their communities. You could bring people back to work with the money they are spending,” he said.

“This is America, and in America everyone has the right to run for election. The gentleman is coming into the political arena and I am not sure he knows what he is getting into,” Pashinski said. The Democrat vowed to run his campaign based on issues that are close to him, including health care.