Harvey named director of elections for the Lucerne district

Erin Harvey has been hired as the new director of elections for Lucerne County, the administration said Wednesday.

A 28-year-old resident of Wilkes-Barre, Harvey served as deputy director of elections for approximately a year, resigning in February 2022 to run for state representative.

The position of Director of Elections has been vacant since Michael Susek stepped down effective August 11.

Beth McBride, who has been acting director of elections since mid-September, will return to her position as deputy director. McBride joined the bureau as deputy director in July.

Elections Manager Emily Cooke has been acting deputy since mid-September and will remain chief of operations.

Harvey said she was honored to accept the position.

“My experience in the bureau gives me a unique perspective and skill set to assist both the County Council and the Board of Elections in meeting the bureau’s day-to-day challenges while providing much-needed stability to the department,” Harvey said. “I look forward to starting serving voters in Lucerne district as soon as possible.”

Harvey will become the fourth non-acting election director since Marissa Crispel stepped down as director in September 2019 following criticism over her participation in vendor-funded advisory board trips.

Crispell’s successor, Shelby Watchilla, moved to another position in December 2020 after serving in the position for a year. Bob Morgan, the next director, quit on October 8 after six months on the job, also to take a job outside the county government. Susek was hired in December 2021 and had 15 years of election management experience, but left due to another career opportunity.

Harvey will receive $64,500 a year as a director. The job posting listed an amount that was compensation paid to Sousek, Morgan, and Watchilla.

At the time of her hiring as Associate Director of Elections in February 2021, Harvey was serving in a media and voter relations role for then-State Senator John Judichak, I-Swoyersville. She previously worked for WYLN News, Entercom Communications and WBRE-TV.

Harvey received his BA in Mass Communication from King’s College, Wilkes-Barre in 2016.

Republican Harvey last year ran for state representative in the 121st legislative district. She received 7,437 votes in the November 8 general election, while incumbent Democrat Eddie Day Paszynski won another term with 8,877 votes. show results.

When running for office, Harvey emphasized her interest in working impartially on behalf of all residents.

Harvey also pointed to her work in the state senate office.

“Through my experience as an assistant state senator, I have learned to appreciate the ability to work together—Republicans, Democrats, and Independents—for the benefit of the people of Northeastern Pennsylvania,” Harvey said.

In accordance with the council’s administrative code, the election director has the final say in the selection of the director of elections, but he must seek the opinion of a five-member voluntary election commission.

County Administrative Services Chief Jennifer Pecora and Acting Manager Brian Sweets held a 14-minute meeting with the board this morning during a break in the ongoing special election.

Around 11 a.m., Svets sent an email to the council informing the council that he was pleased to announce Harvey’s hiring after several rounds of interviews.

The administration felt compelled to fill the position due to the “fast approaching municipal election cycle” in the upcoming primaries, he said.

Svets noted that the county’s district attorney’s office has yet to release a final report on paper shortage problems that arose in the November general election.

“At present, I see no obstacle in this,” he wrote.

Harvey could start in his new position this Friday, he said.

The administration’s e-mail announcement to the council came at the time of the board’s decision.

After the meeting ended, Election Commissioner Denise Williams declined to comment on Harvey’s hiring.

Vice Chairman of the Board Jim Mangan said he is pleased that the district has addressed the issue of not having a permanent director.

“I look forward to a good working relationship with the new director and will move forward for the benefit of Lucerne County,” Mangan said.

Board member Alyssa Fusaro said she believes the hiring will be positive for the county.

“I think having bipartisan leadership in the bureau will go a long way towards restoring public confidence and integrity in the electoral process,” Fusaro said.

McBride was a registered Democrat when she was hired as a deputy. In mid-September, she changed her voter registration to no affiliation.

Board member Audrey Serniak said: “I’m glad they took the vacancy and now we’re moving forward.”

Board member Danny Schramm said he didn’t know what to expect.

“This is not our decision. Time will tell,” Schramm said.

Contact Jennifer Learn-Andes at 570-991-6388 or tweet @TLJenLearnAndes.