Yudichak turns back Leighton

By Jennifer Learn-Andes jandes@timesleader.comLuzerne County Reporter

State Rep. claimed victory over Wilkes-Barre Mayor Tom Leighton in the charged Democratic race for retiring state Sen. Raphael Musto’s 14th District seat.

Wilkes-Barre Mayor Tom Leighton, left, gets the top of his head rubbed by brother Patrick after Leighton’s concession speech.

Pete g. wilcox/the times leader

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Another equally heated battle is likely ahead as he faces Luzerne County Republican minority Commissioner Stephen A. Urban in the general election.

As of 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, Yudichak received 17,903 votes to Leighton’s 9,091, according to unofficial results. Urban’s unofficial tally: 8,918.

Urban also ran for lieutenant governor in the primary but did not win the nomination, which means he won’t have to choose which office he wants to seek. Facing no Republican primary opposition for Senate, Urban has been somewhat waiting in the wings as Leighton and Yudichak battled it out.

“The Democrats got an opportunity to choose between two candidates, and both candidates aired an awful lot of political baggage,” said Urban, 57, of Wilkes-Barre.

Yudichak, 39, of Plymouth Township, celebrated in a packed room of supporters at the Waterfront Banquet and Convention Center in Plains Township. He has promised to create a “culture of credibility” in Harrisburg, where he has served in the House of Representatives for 12 years, representing the 119th Legislative District.

“People are looking for change, and I’m humbled to be that change agent, to turn the page of Northeastern Pennsylvania,” Yudichak said. “People want to believe in government, and they want government to work for them again.”

Leighton, 49, of South Wilkes-Barre, conceded around 10 p.m. at his headquarters on South Main Street. Despite the defeat, nearly 150 supporters cheerfully smiled and mingled with the mayor.

Leighton said his willingness to make some tough decisions as mayor might have cost him votes in the Senate race.

“We had a great campaign, but being mayor means making decisions which may be unpopular with the public,” Leighton said. “I am proud of the accomplishments I have made as mayor.”

He said he plans to continue focusing on his duties as mayor and will fully support Yudichak in the fall general election.

“I look forward to going home tomorrow and being the mayor,” he said.

He and Yudichak sparred during a debate and through television ads and the media.

Leighton attempted to link Yudichak to the Harrisburg “Bonusgate” payroll scandal. Yudichak blasted Leighton for receiving a $20,000 donation from U.S. Rep. Paul Kanjorski’s political action committee and for writing a letter seeking leniency for former county deputy clerk Bill Brace, who was charged in the ongoing federal corruption probe.

Yudichak hinted Leighton’s campaign went too negative. As of May 3, Leighton’s campaign committee had spent $205,885 on the Senate race, compared to Yudichak’s $160,402. Urban spent about $200.

“I think we ran a very positive campaign. We didn’t run a negative ad. We were very positive,” Yudichak said. “It wasn’t about political strategy. It was about getting into the hearts and minds of the people of Northeastern Pennsylvania.”

Yudichak said people want to “look to the future.”

“We’ve had a rough two years here in Luzerne County and a rough two years in the state and really in the nation,” he said.

Urban followed his tradition of monitoring election results at the county courthouse, where he has served as a commissioner since 2000.

“I think it’s going to be a good campaign,” Urban said. “My campaign is all grassroots.”

Urban showed signs that he won’t be mincing words in his critique of Yudichak, pointing out his dissatisfaction over the legislator’s acceptance of $163-per-day per diem reimbursements for General Assembly expenses. He said Yudichak “lacks ethics.”

Urban and Yudichak said their November campaigning starts now.

“I was out today meeting voters and asking for their support, regardless of their party,” Urban said.

A third contender might also be in the Senate race. Betsy Summers, a Libertarian Party candidate from Wilkes-Barre, has also been collecting signatures in a bid for the seat.

The eventual winner will replace Musto, D-Pittston Township, who will retire at the end of November after serving 28 years in the state Senate.

Staff writer John Krispin contributed to this report.

Jennifer Learn-Andes, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 831-7333.