First Posted: 3/6/2013

A mayor’s race is shaping up in Pitttston.

First-term mayor Jason Klush will likely face compeition for the Democratic nomination from downtown bar owner Gene Rooney.

Rooney, 58, of Thompkins Street, in the Oregon Section, has owned Rooney’s Irish Pub on Main Street since 2009. He grew up in Northeast Pennsylvania and previously worked as a police officer and detective in Peakskill, N.Y. He said he’s in the process of gathering signatures on his nominating petitions and hopes to file by the Tuesday deadline. He promises an open and sensible administration.

Related Video

Klush, 36, a lifelong resident of Pittston, is a construction manager for Hadley Construction. He has had a successful first-term as mayor and now he said he looks to the future and stabilizing the neighborhoods. Klush is a 2000 graduate of East Stroudsburg University with a degree in sociology and criminal justice.

Klush defeated first-term mayor Joseph Keating in the 2009 Democratic primary.

Also, in Pittston two council seats are on the ballot. Councilman Michael Lombardo is seeking reelection, but Councilman Joe Chernouskas is not. Klush and Lombardo plan to run with former councilman Ken Bangs. Also announced is city resident Barb Zangre.

Potential candidates for elected office have two days to file their nominating petitions. The May primaries will narrow the candidates down to one from each political party and the November General Election will decided the overall winner.

At stake, locally, are five county council seats, the county controller’s office, one magisterial distric judge seat, eight school board seats, 10 mayor chairs, 38 city and borough council seats and 3 township supervisors seats.

Additially, voters will elect tax collectors, auditors and, in each towship, borough, district, city and ward, will elect a judge of elections and inspector of elections.

In Wyoming Area, the seats of board members John Bolin, Frank Casarella, the Gil Dominick and John Marianacci, will be on the ballot. Bolin is the board president.

In Avoca, Mayor Bob Mullen’s seat will be on the ballot. Also two 4-year council seats in the 1st ward, two 4-year council seats in the 2nd ward, one 4-year council seats in the 3rd ward and one 2-year council seat in the 3rd ward. Mullen said he plans to run for re-election.

In Dupont, Mayor Dan Lello’s seat will be on the ballot, along with three 4-year council seats. Lello said he plans to seek re-election.

In Exeter, Mayor Cassandra Coleman is completing her first full term after she was appointed to fill the unexpired seat of her grandfather, the late Mayor Joseph Coyne. Her seat is on the ballot. Also on the ballot is three 4-year council seats.

In Exter Township, voters will elect one supervisor and one auditor. Both will serve six terms.

In Hughestown, Mayor Paul Hindmarsh’s seat will be on the ballot, along with four 4-year council seats. Hindmarsh said he is not seeking another term in the mayor’s office.

In Jenkins Township, electors will pick one 6-year supervisor and two auditors, with one 4-year term and one 2-year term.

In Laflin, two 4-year council seats will be on the ballot.

In Pittston Township, voters will elect one supervisor and one auditor. Both will serve six terms.

In West Pittston, Mayor Tony Denisco’s seat will on the ballot, along with four 4-year council seats and a 6-year auditor post. Denisco plans to seek re-election.

In West Wyoming, Mayor Joseph Herbert’s seat is on the ballot, along with three 4-year council seats. Herbert said he plans to seek re-election.

In Wyoming, Mayor Bob Boyer’s seat is on the ballot, along with one 4-year council seat each in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd wards of the borough. Boyer plans to run for re-election.

In Yatesville, Mayor Vince Tossi’s seat is on the Luzerne County list to be on the ballot, but he was elected in 2011 and said he still has another year and a half on his term. Three 4-year council seats are also on the ballot.ads

Nominating petitions must be filed by Tuesday.