Kocher
Plymouth resident Megan Kocher was elected the new Luzerne County Democratic Party chair during Wednesday’s reorganization meeting, representatives said.
A Nanticoke native, Kocher, 27, works as a national distributed field manager with Rural Organizing.
She has bachelor’s degrees in political science and history from Wilkes University and a master’s degree in criminal justice from California Coast University.
Kocher said she started getting actively involved in Democratic campaigns and issues that prioritize working-class values while she was a college student. In September 2025, the county party’s executive committee elected her the committee chair, with a focus on organizing regular meetings, supporting district chairs, and facilitating conversations about party needs, she said.
Party unity will be a main goal in her new leadership role, Kocher said.
“I think we need leadership to bring everyone together and ensure everyone feels welcome and useful,” Kocher said. “I want to make sure that all Democrats know they have a home in the county party.”
Fundraising and voter registration are other priorities, she said.
“There’s a lot we need to do, and I have a very bottoms-up, grassroots style of leadership,” Kocher said. “I am prioritizing putting good people in leadership roles and giving them the tools they need so we can collectively transform the party.”
Kocher has named Tony Thomas the county party vice chair. Thomas is Wilkes-Barre City’s controller.
She expects to conduct open interviews for other county party posts, including secretary and treasurer, so all interested committee members have an opportunity to be considered.
Social media also will be used more to keep county Democrats in the loop, she said.
Kocher said she will work with district chairs to fill as many vacant local committee seats as possible.
County Council Chairman Jimmy Sabatino said he wholeheartedly supports Kocher’s election to the post.
“I am happy to see that the party is investing in young leadership that is eager to take us in a new direction,” Sabatino said. “I hope that the new leadership team respects some of the steadfast traditions of the party while bringing a fresh outlook on campaigning in the 21st century. A lot of things have changed.”
