Urban runs for 2 offices

Luzerne County Republican minority Commissioner Stephen A. Urban said he has decided to run for both state Senate and lieutenant governor.

The 57-year-old Wilkes-Barre resident said he filed nominating petitions for both offices on Monday, a day before the filing deadline.

“The lieutenant governor works very closely with the Senate, and the issues are very similar,” Urban said.

He does not believe any Republicans are running for the 14th Senatorial District, so he would be running unopposed in the May 18 primary. Urban said he doesn’t believe any of the other Republican lieutenant governor candidates have “statewide name recognition.”

“I think it will be a more regionalized race,” Urban said. “The governor and lieutenant governor run independently, and I believe the people of the commonwealth ought to have a choice,” he said.

Urban said he has not decided what he will do if he wins Republican nominations to both seats.

A thousand signatures were required on the lieutenant governor nominating petition, and Urban said he turned in nearly 2,300. He submitted more than 1,200 signatures for the Senate race, which required 500.

“I want to thank all the people who helped me circulate those petitions,” Urban said.

Urban has served as an outspoken county commissioner since 2000, winning two re-elections. His current commissioner term expires at the end of 2011.

He said he won’t let his performance as commissioner slide as he hits the campaign trail.

“I’ve been circulating petitions in evenings and on weekends. I haven’t missed any county meetings. I’m still fully involved as a commissioner,” Urban said.

Urban had announced plans to run for lieutenant governor in January, but also became interested in the state Senate seat when Ray Musto decided not to seek re-election. The seat represents portions of Luzerne, Carbon and Monroe counties.

Wilkes-Barre Mayor Tom Leighton and state Rep. John Yudichak of Nanticoke plan to battle for the Democratic nomination in the primary.

The lieutenant governor is the second most powerful official in the state, following the governor. The lieutenant governor automatically takes over if the governor is unable to serve. The candidate chosen in the primary only takes office if the governor from the same political party is elected in November.

Lieutenant governors also preside over the state Senate and cast votes to break a tie.

Urban said he would push for the state to comply with a 22-year-old state Supreme Court mandate to fund county court systems.

“This is a tremendous burden on the people of Luzerne County and all counties throughout the commonwealth,” he said. “People want property tax relief, and this would be one way of getting them that relief.”

He also opposes tolling on Interstate 80, saying it will increase the cost of goods, hurt the local economy and force more truck traffic onto local roads.

Urban rattled off projects he has been involved with on the county level that required coordination with state officials.

“The economy should be a top priority of anyone running for lieutenant governor,” Urban said.

Urban, who is married, was born in Wilkes-Barre and graduated from E.L. Meyers High School.

He has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from King’s College in Wilkes-Barre and two master’s degrees – one in public administration from Golden Gate University in California and the other in national security and strategic studies from the U.S. Navy War College.

A retired Army lieutenant colonel, Urban served 24 years of active duty. He is a veteran of the Persian Gulf and Vietnam War.

Terry Casey, chairman of the Luzerne County Republican Committee, said Monday that the GOP will support Urban no matter what decision he makes.

“I can’t tell him what he needs to do,” Casey said. “I have had a conversation with him where I encouraged him to run for state Senate. I feel we have a great opportunity to post a great race there. I think Mr. Urban could get elected to the state Senate; I see a close contest there.”

Casey said no other GOP members have approached him about the state Senate race.

“Whatever he decides, we will support him,” Casey said. “Commissioner Urban has strong grassroots support. I think it would be the best opportunity the Republicans have had at least in my memory to do something in that Senate district.”