TT News

February 15, 2010

Rep. Jim Wansacz to run for state senate

By Andrew M. Seder aseder@timesleader.com
Times Leader Staff Writer
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State Rep. Jim Wansacz, 37, of Old Forge, confirmed to The Times Leader this morning that he has decided to run for the State Senate's 22nd district seat held the past 40 years by Bob Mellow.

The Democrat said an official announcement will be made later this week.

Wansacz said the choice was tough because his term in State House seat in the 114th district is also up and he was planning on running for a sixth term.

He had to make a decision which office to run for and he said after discussions with his wife and friends and supporters he decided over the weekend to set his sights on the Senate.

Mellow of Peckville announced last Tuesday that he was not seeking an 11th term in office, instead choosing to spend more time with family. His announcement opened the floodgates as potential candidates lined up to announce they were either in the race or considering it.

Among those who are declared candidates are Frank Scavo, a Republican from Old Forge and Joseph Albert and Chris Phillips, Democrats from Scranton. Others in the "considering it" column include a lot of Demcorats like Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty, Deputy Secretary for the state's office of Economic and Community Development  John Blake, of Archbald, Lackawanna County Recorder of Deeds Evie Rafalko McNulty, of Scranton, former Lackawanna County Commissioner Joseph Corcoran, of Scranton and former Scranton City Councilman Gary DiBileo.

Also Monday morning, former WYOU sports anchor Sid Michaels, real name Michael Kavulich, told WILK newsradio that he was seeking the State House Seat that Wansacz currently holds. Michaels, a Democrat from Taylor, currently works in Mellow's district office.

The 114th district includes portions of Luzerne, Lackawanna, Susquehanna and Wyoming counties.

To read the complete story, see Tuesday's edition of The Times Leader and www.timesleader.com

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