Race for trio of positions on county bench getting crowded

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

WILKES-BARRE – The race for three open seats on the Luzerne County bench is shaping up to be one of the most crowded fields ever, with 15 attorneys indicating they have either decided or are considering seeking election to the posts, according to an informal poll conducted Tuesday by The .

The field includes a number of well-known attorneys, including several who have previously run for office. Four of the attorneys have declared they will run, while the other 11 said they are considering it.

Those who confirmed they will seek election are Richard Hughes, 47, of Mountain Top; Thomas O’Connor, 57, of Kingston; Joseph Sklarosky Jr., 39, of Mountain Top and Eugene Sperazza, 54, of Mountain Top.

Attorneys who said they are considering running are: William Amesbury, 61, of Wilkes-Barre; C.J. Bufalino III, 48, of Dallas; Mark Bufalino, 38, of Trucksville; Conrad Falvello, 59, of Sugarloaf Township; Lesa Gelb, of Laflin; Tom Marsilio, 60, of Mountain Top; Molly Hanlon-Mirabito, 46, of Forty Fort; Luzerne County Judge Joseph Musto, 64, of Duryea; Joseph J. Terrana, 46, of Yatesville; Joseph Saporito, 48, of Jenkins Township, and Ferris Webby, 54 of Slocum Township.

If all follow through on their plans, they will constitute the largest field to seek a judicial post since the 1991 election, when 17 attorneys sought four open seats.

The candidates are seeking to fill open seats that were held by Michael Conahan, who retired in 2007; Ann Lokuta, who was removed from office in December, and Chester Muroski, who will reach mandatory retirement age in 2009.

Hughes has practiced law for 22 years and serves as an assistant district attorney for Luzerne County.

O’Connor has practiced for more than 30 years and ran for judge in 2003, losing to Michael Toole.

Sklarosky has practiced for 14 years, focusing on criminal law.

Sperazza has practiced for 25 years and formerly served as a law clerk for retired Judge Patrick Toole.

Amesbury serves as district judge covering parts of Wilkes-Barre. Musto sits on the county bench through an appointment to fill the unexpired term of Conahan.

The other potential candidates, Falvello, Gelb, Marsilio, Hanlon-Mirabito, Terrana, Saporito, Webby and C.J. and Mark Bufalino, are all attorneys in private practice.

Other attorneys are expected to enter the field. Candidates can begin circulating nominating petitions on Feb. 17.