People hate it. They really do, and candidates have to get that through their heads. Most of the time, I saw the cards trashed, without so much as a glance, as soon as the voter entered the building.
Me? I never take them. My mind is made up long before I reach the polling place. I don't need any help finding candidates on the ballot. I'm sure there is more than one candidate out there who thinks I'm rude and haughty and nasty and arrogant and egotistical. Nothing could be further from the truth. I just want the right to go to vote without being assaulted.
I know some counties are trying to enforce the rule keeping these people a set distance away from the polls. Guess what? It's not enough. Yes, it's freedom of speech. Candidates and their friends have the right to campaign. That's America. However, I also have the right to be left alone.
Now, the numbers...
Wilkes-Barre mayor Tom Leighton's win is not a surprise, but voters did deliver a message. He got hammered in a state senate run two years ago. His two opponents yesterday, combined, did come up with a decent total. The nepotism, security system, and Hotel Sterling issues clearly played a role yesterday, but not enough to deny Leighton another term.
Those predicting a third place finish for Corey O'Brien in the Lackawanna County Commissioner's race were off the mark. He was a strong second, and Democrats retain control of Lackawanna County.
The top vote getter for Scranton Council was Bob McGoff, an ally of Mayor Chris Doherty.
Tim Rowland breezes in the Lackawanna County Coroner's race. The win is not a surprise. His huge vote total raises more than a few eyebrows.
I will save the most interesting for last. Stefanie Salavantis defeated Jackie Musto Carroll to become Luzerne County District Attorney. The Luzerne County kids for cash scandal claims its newest victim. Musto Carroll was either DA or first assistant DA while thousands of kids were appearing in court without legal representation. She admitted never setting foot in juvenile court. Musto Carroll's testimony before the Interbranch Commission on Juvenile Justice was not her finest hour, and she took a big hit in the commission's report. Add some effective commercials from Salavantis, along with low voter turnout, and there will be a new DA in January.
Salavantis is 29 and has limited criminal court experience, but consider this. One of the primary functions of a DA is to be an office manager and administrator. Corry Stevens had very little courtroom experience when he was elected DA. He hired a couple experienced assistants and some aggressive young lawyers, and he righted the office after the mess left by the previous administration. Stevens was rarely seen in a courtroom, and there weren't many complaints about his performance as DA. He was elected to the court of common pleas, and later, state superior court.
