Arnold to face Mullery in fall

By Sherry Long slong@timesleader.comStaff Writer

NEWPORT TWP. -- Gerald “Jerry” Mullery fought off two challengers to win the Democratic nomination to compete for the 119th Legislative District seat being vacated by state Rep. .

In Tuesday’s primary, Mullery, of Newport Township, received 3,522 votes, or 49.63 percent, as compared to his challengers, Gary Zingaretti of Bear Creek Township, who received 1,864 votes, or 26.26 percent, and Bob Morgan of Mountain Top, who received 1,698 votes, or 23.93 percent. All vote totals are unofficial.

Mullery, 39, will face Republican Rick Arnold, 47, of Mountain Top, who ran unopposed in the primary.

The 119th District includes the city of Nanticoke, the townships of Bear Creek, Fairview, Hanover, Newport, Plymouth, Slocum and Wright, and the boroughs of Edwardsville, Larksville, Laurel Run, Plymouth, Sugar Notch and Warrior Run.

Mullery, a lawyer, expressed thanks that people ventured out despite the day’s rainy weather.

The county has significantly more Democratic voters than Republican voters, but Mullery knows that it will not ensure him an automatic win.

“We are going to see a very competitive race in November. I think they (Republicans) smell the blood in the water and they are going to try to take some of these seats. On the national level the Republicans have taken seats that have traditionally been Democratic seats. … Rick Arnold is a tough candidate. It will be a competitive race,” Mullery said.

Mullery and Arnold may also face opposition from a third party candidate, Libertarian Brian Bergman, 37, of Hanover Township. Bergman must receive enough signatures to appear on the November ballot.

Mullery thanked some people who he said supported him from the very beginning – Plymouth Township Supervisor Gale Conrad, Plymouth Township Supervisor Joe Yudichak, father of state Rep. John Yudichak, Edwardsville Mayor Ace Dubaskas and Nanticoke Mayor Joe Dougherty.

“A lot of people were scared to stick their necks out for this race since there was no endorsement. Those guys were behind me right from the beginning,” Mullery said.

Mullery’s campaign didn’t raise the most funds. Zingaretti’s campaign received $7,191, Mullery’s collected $5,400 and Morgan’s $ 4,865.

Morgan called Mullery shortly after 9 p.m. to concede the race to Mullery. He said he would throw his support behind Mullery during the general election. Attempts to reach Zingaretti for comment were unsuccessful.

Arnold, a building contractor, ran for the Republican nomination unopposed. He received 2,168 or 99.31 percent of the vote. There were 11 write-in votes received in the Democratic primary.

“It really sends a clear message we still had the enthusiasm of the voters to come out and support me. More importantly, there will be the opportunity for all voters regardless of registration to support us through the summer and into the fall,” he said at a post primary gathering at the GOP headquarters in Wilkes-Barre.

Bergman needs to gather 389 signatures from valid registered voters. He said he gathered more than 150 signatures Tuesday while working the polls. He looks forward to offering voters a choice in the fall by being the third-party candidate.

“I think there is going to be a lot of good discussion, a lot of good debate, a lot more ideas put out there because of having a third party running. I am looking forward to it. I am excited,” Bergman said.