News

By Andrew M. Seder aseder@timesleader.com
Times Leader Staff Writer
Andrew M. Seder on Facebook   |   @TLAndrewSeder on Twitter

News that state Sen. Raphael Musto will not seek an eighth term was met with sadness and understanding by those who know him in and out of Harrisburg.

The 80-year-old Pittston Township resident has left his mark on projects throughout the 14th Senatorial District, which encompasses parts of Luzerne, Monroe and Carbon counties.

“He’s been an icon in Luzerne County for a long time, and he will certainly be a tough act to follow,” said Luzerne County Commissioner Maryanne Petrilla.

Kevin Blaum, who served in the state House for 26 years, including 24 while Musto was in the state Senate, said oftentimes state representatives and senators who overlap districts have an adversarial relationship. That was not the case with the two Democratic legislators

“For 24 years Ray and I worked together on virtually anything that impacted the Wilkes-Barre area. It was a great relationship,” said Blaum, who walked away from Harrisburg in 2006 and now works for Wyoming Seminary.

Many of Musto’s initiatives involved securing funds for sewage treatment system upgrades and cleaning up scarred mine lands and waterways.

“While much of this work never gained headlines, because of his efforts millions of Pennsylvanians drink cleaner water, fish in healthier streams, and enjoy improved public lands because of Ray Musto’s hard work,” said U.S. Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski, D-Nanticoke.

With Kanjorski securing federal funds, Musto and others in Harrisburg did their part in getting state money to add to the pot. Some included partnerships with state Rep. John Yudichak, D-Nanticoke.

Yudichak is one of the people already being mentioned as a potential candidate to run for the office in May.

“Right now it’s under serious consideration,” Yudichak said. He said he has been “inundated” with calls from people gauging his interest and urging him to run.

“I’m going to continue to talk to Sen. Musto, my family, friends and supporters. We are going to talk and seriously consider entering the race.”

Also interested is former Pittston Mayor Michael A. Lombardo, who now serves as the director of the Governor’s Northeast Regional Office.

“If it were four years from now, my answer would be absolutely yes,” Lombardo said. He said he would need to discuss the scenarios with his wife and family, and he’ll need to do it soon. Feb. 16 is the first day to circulate nominating petitions to appear on a ballot. To do that, Lombardo would first have to resign from his state job.

“I really need to evaluate this,” he said, adding he’ll likely make a decision in the next week or two.

One other name being batted around is Wilkes-Barre Mayor Thomas Leighton.

He, like Lombardo and Yudichak, said he’s interested but must discuss it with his family before jumping into any decisions.

“I will be meeting with my family and longtime supporters to discuss a possible candidacy for the state Senate. Since the announcement earlier (Wednesday) afternoon, I have received numerous calls from various people encouraging me to give serious consideration to entering the race,” Leighton said. “Right now I am focused on completing the Intermodal Transportation Center, the Coal Street Park renovation and street widening and beginning the Murray-Courtright development project.”

No matter who runs or wins, one thing is certain, said a longtime friend of Musto’s and someone who keeps a finger on the political pulse of the area.

“It’s not going to be easy to fill his shoes,” said Jim McCarthy, who’s known Musto since 1980 when McCarthy was a congressional correspondent for CBS News and Musto served less than a year in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Musto said he would not step in to anoint a successor.

“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,” Musto said.

Fond sentiments flowed in from elected officials from congressmen to the governor down to municipal leaders and constituents.

Gov. Ed Rendell said “Sen. Musto has done a great job during his long and distinguished career. He has been a great help to my administration and he’s been a leader in moving the progressive agenda forward for the people of Pennsylvania.”

McCarthy said that Musto always had a way with people, and if something needed to get done, Musto found a way.

“Ray has the ability to get along with people. I don’t think anyone I’ve known has ever had a bad word to say about him,” said McCarthy, a former Wilkes-Barre city councilman who owns Jim McCarthy’s Tavern on the Hill in the Heights section of the city.

Kanjorski, who holds the seat Musto had for nearly a year, called Musto “a true public servant, as he took every concern and issue he received to heart.”

Musto’s career drew praise from members of both parties, showing his ability to work for the people, not certain parties.

“Ray has a commendable record of policy success. On environmental and education issues especially, he was deeply involved in the debate and worked on a bipartisan basis to assemble a series of landmark laws and programs. I wish he and Fran the very best as they enjoy their retirement with their family,” said state Sen. Lisa Baker, R-Lehman Township.

Now in his 28th year in the state Senate, Musto is the oldest of the 50 senators. His seniority is something that will be greatly missed by the residents of the district, said state Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski.

“We’re going to miss his leadership. His seniority is very important to the local folks. He has been a very productive senator,” said Pashinski, D-Wilkes-Barre.

A few constituents said the district will miss Musto, seniority or not.

Jen Falchek, of Plains Township, said she is sad to see Musto go.

“I think he’s a great man,” she said. “He’s done a lot for this area and for the people. I hope we can elect a good replacement for him.”

Rae Ann Hizny, of Wyoming, said Musto has done a good job representing the people.

“From what I’ve seen, he’s done an excellent job,” Hizny said. “I really hate to see him step down; he did a lot of good things for his district.”

McCarthy said that “seniority is the important part of any political game.”

Whoever takes Musto’s seat will start at the ground floor.

Someone who is not interested is Musto’s niece, Luzerne County District Attorney Jackie Musto Carroll.

“No, I have a lot to do here,” she said when asked if she was considering keeping a Musto in the seat.

She said she has been proud of her uncle’s public service, but the time has come for him to relax and spend time with his family.

“I’m very proud of his lifelong service to the community and the work he has done, especially on environmental issues and grandparents’ rights,” Musto Carroll said. “He’s the eldest son of eight and he’s a family man, always has been.”

She said that on one hand she was sad to hear of his decision but “on the other hand, I’m happy for him that he’ll have time to relax, kick back and enjoy time with his wife and grandchildren and his life.”