There are eight candidates running for district judge in the Pittston area.
The list of candidates for the position, which serves every municipality in the Pittston Area school system and carries a six-year term and a $86,639-per-year salary, includes well-known names in both the Pittston area and legal community. They include: Art Bobbouine, Alexandra Kokura, Jeffrey Kulick, Jerry Mecadon, Qiana Murphy Lehman, James "Red" O'Brien, Len Sanguedolce and Mark Singer.
Voters of the district are poised to elect a new district judge for the first time in more than 20 years. Fred Pierantoni held the seat for more than two decades before his successful election to the county bench in 2012.
In magisterial races, candidates are allowed to cross-file, or run on both the Democratic and Republican ballots. All eight candidates will appear on the Democrat ballot, but only Mr. Bobbouine, Ms. Kokura, Mr. Mecadon, Mr. O'Brien, Mr. Sanguedolce and Mr. Singer obtained the required signatures to appear on the Republican side.
The race to become Judge Pierantoni's successor is the talk of town in the Pittston area. Intersections and roadways throughout the towns are saturated with campaign signs. Candidates have bought billboards and some have already taken their message to television.
Contact the writer: bkalinowski@citizensvoice.comArt Bobbouine
Age: 37
Address: Pittston
Education: 1994 graduate of Pittston Area High School, 1998 graduate of University of Scranton (history and political science) and 2001 graduate of Penn State Dickinson School of Law
Experience: Acting Luzerne County clerk of courts and prothonotary, criminal justice teacher at Fortis Institute and former chief deputy sheriff in Luzerne County
Family: Wife, Trish; son, Arthur Primo, 6, and Giovanna, 2
Alexandra Kokura
Age: 30
Address: Dupont
Education: 2000 graduate of Scranton Prep, 2004 graduate of Lehigh University, (international relations) and 2009 graduate of Widener University School of Law
Experience: Lackawanna County court master, a judicial officer for the court
Jeffrey Kulick
Age: 27
Address: Hughestown
Education: 2003 graduate of Seton Catholic High School, 2007 graduate of Penn State University (crime, law and justice), and 2010 graduate of Thomas M. Cooley Law School
Experience: Runs the Kulick Law Firm in Exeter
Family: Single
Qiana Murphy Lehman
Age: 37
Address: Dupont
Education: 1993 graduate of Pittston Area High School, 1997 graduate of East Stroudsburg University (political science and theatre), and 2002 graduate of New England Law School in Boston
Experience: Luzerne County court master, a judicial officer for the court, and trial attorney for the Brady and Grabowski law firm
Family: Husband, David; son, Calder, 6, and daughter, Covington Rose, 2
Jerry Mecadon
Age: 47
Address: Jenkins Twp.
Education: 1983 graduate of Seton Catholic High School, 1987 graduate of the University of Scranton (business management), and 1990 graduate of Widener University School of Law in Wilmington, Del.
Experience: Runs a law office in Pittston and is an assistant public defender.
Family: Wife, Christa
James "Red" O'Brien
Age: 44
Address: Pittston
Education: 1986 graduate of Pittston Area High School; took courses at Marywood University and Luzerne County Community College
Experience: Former Luzerne County recorder of deeds, former Avoca mayor and former Pittston Area School Board president
Family: Wife, Ann; son, Seamus, 18, and daughter, Ella, 5
Len Sanguedolce
Age: 34
Address: Pittston
Education: 1997 graduate of Seton Catholic High School, 2001 graduate of the University of Scranton (economics), and 2006 graduate of Penn State Dickinson School of Law
Experience: Operates his own law office in Pittston
Mark Singer
Age: 50
Address: Hughestown
Education: 1980 graduate of Pittston Area High School, 1984 graduate of University of Scranton, and 1987 graduate of Penn State Dickinson School of Law
Experience: Private practice attorney and assistant public defender. Former assistant district attorney and former Pittston Area School Board member
Family: Wife, Heidi; daughter, Anjelica Nicola, 13