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In the 2009 general election, three candidates are seeking election to two open seats in the county's Court of Common Pleas. In the May 2009 primary that featured 17 candidates, Bill Amesbury was selected by voters on both the Democratic and Republican tickets. Candidates Dick Hughes and Tina Polachek-Gartley were chosen to the Republican and Democratic tickets, respectively, by voters.
Also in November 2009, Court of Common Pleas Judges Thomas Burke and Peter Paul Olsewski, Jr., are candidates for retention for another 10-year term on the bench.
The races have gained widespread attention following the January 2009 revelation by federal investigators of an alleged kickback scheme involving former judges Mark Ciavarella and Michael Conahan and the operation of two juvenile detention centers.
Bill O’Boyle
boboyle@timesleader.com
WILKES-BARRE – Luzerne County Judge Peter Paul Olszewski’s bid for retention was essentially doomed the day a photo of him posing with a convicted drug dealer and disgraced former colleague was made public, a local political analyst said.
With 99 percent of precincts in, Democratic candidates William Amesbury and Tina Polachek Gartley have been elected to fill two open seats on the Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas.
In a rare rejection of a sitting judge, Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas Judge Peter Paul Olszewski Jr. will lose his seat for a second 10-year term if unofficial results posted by the county Bureau of Election at 9:53 p.m. hold up.
The Luzerne County Republican Party is advocating the use of “bullet voting” to try to shoot down the candidacy of at least one Democratic judicial opponent.
JENKINS TWP. – All three Luzerne County judicial candidates said they accomplished their main goal Tuesday night: Reaching a lot of voters.
WILKES-BARRE – Three candidates, two open seats, one electorate.
NANTICOKE – Judicial candidates – those seeking election or retention to the bench – answered a variety of questions during a candidates forum Thursday night at the Luzerne County Community College.
WILKES-BARRE – Tina Polachek Gartley is emphatic when she says she is “not a good old boy.”
WILKES-BARRE – Luzerne County Judge Peter Paul Olszewski Jr. said he’s spent the past decade establishing himself as a hardworking, capable jurist dedicated to serving the public.
WILKES-BARRE – Richard Hughes said the ongoing federal corruption probe in Luzerne County could result in changing things in a “totally positive way.”
Most Viewed Luzerne County Judge Elections Stories in Past 7 Days
1. Olszewski loses retention, Burke will return
2. Democrats Amesbury and Polachek Gartley win
3. GOP is in favor of ‘bullet voting’
4. ELECT: Luzerne County Judge
5. Judge Peter Paul Olszewski - Retention interview
6. Judicial retention ballot this year is not as easy as yes or no
7. Olszewski’s goose cooked by photo, analyst contends
8. Judge Tom Burke - Retention interview
Most E-Mailed Luzerne County Judge Elections Stories in Past 7 Days
1. GOP is in favor of ‘bullet voting’