The Luzerne County Council is the governing body of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. The council meets at the Luzerne County Courthouse in Wilkes-Barre. There are eleven members on the assembly (seven Republicans and four Democrats). The chair is both the highest-ranking officer on the council and the head of county government for ceremonial purposes.[1] When the group is not in session, the officer's duties often include acting as its representative to the outside world and its spokesperson. The current chair is John Lombardo.
History
Luzerne County voters rejected home rule proposals in the past (once in 1974 and again in 2003). However, from 2008 to 2010, corruption plagued county government. Three county judges, a county commissioner, a clerk of courts, a deputy chief clerk, and a director of human resources faced criminal charges. These events persuaded the voters of Luzerne County to adopt a new form of government. On Tuesday, November 2, 2010, a home rule charter was adopted by a margin of 51,413 to 41,639.[2][3]
The following year (in 2011), the first election for the new government was held. On Monday, January 2, 2012, the previous government (the board of county commissioners) was abolished and replaced with the new form of government (council–manager government). The first members of the Luzerne County Council were sworn in that same day. The first council chair was Jim Bobeck.[4]
The Luzerne County Council is elected by the voters of the county. Nearly half the council is up for election every two years. It rotates between five and six seats. Each council member is elected at-large (to a four-year term). They are limited to three consecutive terms.[5][6] In the May primary, the majorpolitical parties (Democratic and Republican) select their top candidates for the general election. For example, those who place in the top five or six become the nominees of their party. Third party (or independent) candidates may also join the race. In the November general election, all political parties/candidates square off on the same ballot. Those who place in the top five or six will be elected or re-elected to council.
Current council members
The following members have been duly elected to county council by the voters of Luzerne County:[7]
Williams did not seek re-election in 2017. He remains the only independent councilor.[21]
Edward A. Brominski
2012–2019
Democratic
He resigned in January 2019 due to health issues.[22] Council appointed Patrick Bilbow to serve out the remainder of his term.[23]
Eugene L. Kelleher
2012–2014, 2016–2019
Republican
Kelleher lost re-election in 2013. He won a second non-consecutive term in 2015. Kelleher resigned in July 2019 due to relocating to Lancaster County.[24][25] Former Councilman Rick Morelli was appointed by council to serve out the remainder of Kelleher's term.[26]
Patrick M. Bilbow
2019–2020
Democratic
In February 2019, council appointed Bilbow to serve out the remainder of Edward Brominski’s term.[23] He lost re-election in 2019.
Rick Morelli
2012–2016, 2019–2020
Republican
Morelli served as the third council chair from 2014 to 2015. He did not seek re-election in 2015.[19] In August 2019, council appointed Morelli to serve out the remainder of Eugene Kelleher’s term.[26]
Bienias was appointed by council in 2022 to serve the remainder of Walter Griffith's term. He lost his party's nomination in May 2023.[34]
Tim McGinley
2012–2024
Democratic
McGinley twice served as council chair from 2012 to 2014, and again from 2018 to 2022. He was ineligible to pursue a fourth consecutive term due to term limits.[35]
Matthew Mitchell
2022–2024
Republican
Mitchell was appointed by council in 2022 to serve the remainder of Robert Schnee's term, who vacated his seat after winning a special election for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Mitchell lost re-election in 2023.[36]
Stephen J. Urban
2012–2016, 2020–2024
Republican
Urban served two non-consecutive terms. He lost re-election in 2015 and again in 2023.[37]
Kendra M. Vough
2020–2024
Republican
She served as the sixth council chair from 2022 to 2024. Kendra Vough did not seek re-election in 2023.[38]
