Archive for February, 2010

Roderick Random: Fun facts about upcoming primary

Saturday, February 27th, 2010

One-third of the Scranton School Board is running for state office: Chris Phillips for the 22nd district Senate seat; Kathleen McGuigan for the 113th House district seat; and Bob Lesh for the 112th House district seat. Another school director, Brian Jeffers, was a rumored Senate candidate but he’s backing former Lackawanna County Commissioner Joe Corcoran.

The Times weighs in on 12th District race

Saturday, February 27th, 2010

The contest to fill the seat previously held by the late Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa.) is quickly shaping up as yet another special election battle whose implications are likely to stretch far beyond one congressional district.

Luksik, Toomey to debate at least once

Saturday, February 27th, 2010

GOP U.S. Senate hopefuls Pat Toomey and Peg Luksik will have at least one debate before the May 18 party primary, a spokesman for Mr. Toomey said Friday.

PoliticsPA: Singel endorses Critz to replace Murtha

Saturday, February 27th, 2010

Democrat Mark Critz won another important endorsement Saturday when his campaign announced the support of former Lieutenant Governor Mark Singel, a boost to his quest to replace John Murtha in Congress.

The endorsement comes just a week before delegates from the 12th Congressional District are set to meet and recommend which candidate be placed on the May 18 special election ballot.

Ethics panel clears congress members, including Murtha

Friday, February 26th, 2010

WASHINGTON — The U.S. House ethics committee today cleared all lawmakers, including the late Rep. John P. Murtha, D-Johnstown, of wrongdoing in a probe of lobbying firm PMA Group.

Hafer: I’m not going anywhere

Friday, February 26th, 2010

“I’ve said this before: People get in and people get out,” she told PoliticsPA during an interview Friday. “And that’s just the way it is in politics.

“I’m committed to this race and fully expect to stay in,” she said.

PoliticsPA: Burns gains momentum for GOP nod

Friday, February 26th, 2010

Republican Tim Burns’ campaign Thursday won the endorsement of an influential conservative blog and local county committee, giving it an important boost as the businessman vies for the GOP’s nomination to replace John Murtha.

PoliticsPA’s Up & Down: 2/26 Edition

Friday, February 26th, 2010

In this week’s Up & Down, Joe Sestak frustrates staffers and reporters alike, Manan Trivedi lands a big endorsement in Chester Co., and, apparently, former Rep. Melissa Hart needs to get her car washed.

Melissa Hart’s car

Friday, February 26th, 2010

It’s okay for former members to park/warehouse their wheels in the House garage — unless they become lobbyists. Apparently, that’s ex-Rep. Melissa Hart’s car, unwashed in the Longworth garage, three years after she left office.

Witness: Veon OK’d political work on state tab

Friday, February 26th, 2010

Bob Caton said he often campaigned on state time and was directed to do so by his former boss Mike Veon, then the No. 2 Democrat in the state House.