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Amesbury, Gartley, Hughes to square off for 2 judge posts in November

By Terrie Morgan-Besecker tmorgan@timesleader.com
Law & Order Reporter

WILKES-BARRE – In what might be deemed a judicial version of the battle of David and Goliath, Tina Polachek Gartley, a little-known attorney who spent less than $31,000 on her campaign, secured a spot in the November general election by placing second on Tuesday’s Democratic primary ballot, outdistancing several opponents who spent more than $100,000 each, according to unofficial results.

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William Amesbury enters a party in his honor at the Barney Inn in Wilkes-Barre, flanked by his children Will, 14, and Liz, 19. His wife Karen is behind him.

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But voters didn’t totally overlook the bigger spenders as William Amesbury, who spent $137,350 and Richard Hughes, who spent $100,587, won spots as well – Amesbury as the top voter-getter on the Democratic side and Hughes on the Republican ballot. Amesbury also secured a spot on the Republican ballot by placing second behind Hughes.

The two top vote-getters on each ballot go on to the November general election. The results set up a three-way battle for two open seats, with Amesbury having an edge as he will appear on both party ballots.

Amesbury won the Democratic nomination with 10,388 votes, compared to Gartley’s 8,246. Incumbent judge Joseph Musto came in third with 7,642 votes. On the Republican ballot, Hughes won with 4,845 votes, with Amesbury finishing a close second with 4,699.

The winners were among 17 candidates vying for the seats. Results are not official until they are certified by the county board of elections.

Gartley, 42, of Plains Township, admitted she was shocked by her victory as a tight budget limited the amount her advertising.

“I hoped my message would get through, but when you see $300,000 being spent, it’s very intimidating. I never back down from a challenge. I get more riled up,” she said.

Susan Kolesar, who helped coordinate Gartley’s campaign, said she also was concerned about the big spenders, but that worry began to wane several weeks ago as she and Gartley canvassed potential voters.

“As we went around the county I got a sense this was not going to be about the money. I can’t tell you what a relief that was,” Kolesar said. “This is a great day for this county. It proves that the political machine may have been dismantled.”

Gartley has dedicated much of her career to representing victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. She said she’s looking forward to the fall and the opportunity to secure a seat on the bench in the hope of restoring public trust in the wake of the corruption scandal involving former judges Mark Ciavarella and Michael Conahan.

Amesbury, 61, a popular district judge who has served South Wilkes-Barre since 2002, also had doubts that he could pull out a victory given the large field of candidates.

“Of course I was worried. Amesbury is not a political family name,” he said. “I think it was the diversity of my background that appealed to people. I’ve been a laborer, a teacher, a social worker, a lawyer. … Through all of this my experience was my message I brought. It appears that appealed to the Republican and Democrats in the county.”

Hughes, 48, of Mountain Top, was one of two registered Republicans who sought a judicial seat. Like Amesbury he had touted his extensive experience in civil and criminal law.

“I was running on my experience of 22 years of civil practice and years as an assistant district attorney. We got the message out. People who know me suggest I have the temperament to be a judge. Voters took a good hard look and gave me the votes.”

Musto said he was disappointed by the results, but pleased that all candidates ran a positive campaign.

Musto, who was appointed to the bench last year to fill the unexpired term of former Judge Michael Conahan, said he wasn’t sure whether being an incumbent hurt him.

“It’s possible, but I really can’t say. There are so many factors. There were some very good candidates.”

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