Lackawanna County's longtime chief deputy sheriff has switched to the Republican Party and will run for the party's nomination in the upcoming primary election.
Dominick Manetti, 52, of Old Forge, said his switch was more a return to his Republican roots and not an effort to avoid a crowded Democratic field.
At least three Democrats have announced their candidacies for sheriff so far.
Mr. Manetti said he joined the Democrats several years after taking a federally funded job in the office providing security for county buildings in 1982. He did that "out of respect" for his boss, Sheriff John Szymanski, a Democrat, who says he will not seek re-election.
"Now that I'm going to run, I figured I would switch back to the party I started from," Mr. Manetti said. "I've actually supported Republicans my entire career. ⦠In my opinion, when it comes right down to it, you're going to vote for whoever you feel is most qualified and most experienced for the position."
Mr. Manetti, a 1977 West Scranton High School graduate, became deputy sheriff in 1983, a year after taking the security job. As chief deputy since 1989, he has been around for much of the office's expansion from seven deputies when he was initially hired to the present 90 - 40 of them full-time.
When he started, the office transported five to 10 inmates a week to and from court hearings, one of its primary functions, he said. Now, it's about 250 inmates weekly.
He touted his 30 years of experience in the office.
"The sheriff's office has been my life. It's been my passion," Mr. Manetti said. "The task I see ⦠is to keep the same level that we provide for the court system while being cost efficient. And that's very difficult, especially in these times. I'm not looking to expand (the duties). We have enough on our plate right now. ⦠I'm looking to be more proficient ⦠in the services we provide by staying cost efficient."
The potential exists that voters will eliminate the sheriff's office as an elected position in the May 21 primary and turn it into one appointed by the county commissioners. Mr. Manetti said he believes it should remain an elected post, but said the job will remain the same.
"To me, our function has to remain the same whether the sheriff is appointed or elected," he said.
Contact the writer: bkrawczeniuk@ timesshamrock.comSheriff won't seek re-election
Lackawanna County Sheriff John Szymanski says he will not run for re-election, but might be interested in a temporary appointment to the post if voters decide to end election of sheriffs.
"I'm definitely not running. I've had it," the eight-term sheriff, 76, of Archbald, said.
The sheriff might become an appointed position if voters get a chance to vote on a referendum to eliminate election of sheriffs and three other row offices in the May 21 primary election.