Three magistrates of the district of Lucerne will hold primary competitions

According to petitions for nominations filed before Tuesday’s deadline, the three sitting district magistrate judges of Lucerne County will face competition in the May 16 primary.

All magistrate candidates overlap, which means they will appear on the ballot for both Democrats and Republicans in the primaries and could secure one or both party nominations for the November general election.

Justices of the Peace currently have an annual salary of $106,254 and are elected to six-year terms.

Those with competition, according to the petition documents:

• Area 11-3-03, located in the town of Butler.

There are four contenders: incumbent Daniel O’Donnell, Tony Martin, Lorin A. Ogurkis and Wister Juhas.

O’Donnell, a Republican from Butler Township, has served as a district judge since 2000.

Martina of Sugarloaf Township is a Republican and police officer for the Township of Butler.

Ogurkis of Coningham is a Republican and attorney in his Hazleton practice, Ogurkis Law.

Juhas of Sugar Loaf is a Democrat and owner and president of Tri-State Security Solutions in Hazel Township.

• Area 11-3-01, located in Shikshinny.

Incumbent President Matthew S. Christopher will run against Carol A. Davenport.

Christopher, a Democrat from Neskopek, has served as a district judge for the past five years.

Davenport, a Republican from Salem Township, works as a school cop as well as a Sugarloaf Township Police Officer.

• Area 11-1-05, located in Kingston.

Incumbent Jim Haggerty will compete against Charles “Chaz” Balogh.

Haggerty, a Republican from Kingston, was elected as a judge in 2017, is an attorney and served 20 years as Mayor of Kingston.

Balogh, a Democrat from Kingston, works as a county detective.

No call

Around 11-2-03, based in the borough of Hanover, Kyle Halsey runs unopposed for district judge.

His father, Joseph A. Halsey, served as the county justice of the peace for 32 years and is not seeking a new term.

Kyle Halsey, a Republican and resident of the town of Hanover, works as a nuclear safety officer.

According to the petitions, six actors are running for a new term without opposition.

These officials:

• District 11-1-06 based in Forty Fort – David Barilla, Democrat from Svoyersville

• District 11-1-01 based in Wilkes-Barre – Rick Cronauer, Wilkes-Barre Democrat

• District 11-3-02 based in Nanticoke – Donald L. Whittaker, Democrat from Newport Township.

• District 11-3-06 based on Mountain Top – Ferris P. Webby, Wapwallopen Democrat

• District 11-3-04 based in Hazel Township – James M. Dixon, Hazel Township Republican.

• District 11-3-09 based in Trucksville – Brian J. Tupper, Republican from Kingston Township.

A list of all candidates is posted in the elections section of luzernecounty.org.

As part of the ballot check, candidates are urged to review this list and contact the electoral office immediately if they have questions or corrections by emailing [email protected].

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