Pocono News Section

Corruption Investigation Influencing Voters

Corruption Investigation Influencing Voters - Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at 4:00PM EST

Reported by: Andy Mehalshick
Tuesday, Nov 3, 2009 @ 04:00pm EST
WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY -- In Luzerne County much of the focus is on the judicial races as the federal corruption probe continues to unfold.

Three candidates are running for two open seats. And two current judges are seeking retention.

It is the main reason many voters turned out. Those we talked with today said they wanted their voice to be heard. That can only happen by voting. And the would-be judges know what they are up against.

It was an early start for most Luzerne County judicial candidates. We caught up with Bill Amesbury as he came to vote at Kistler Elementary School.

We found would-be judge Richard Hughes in Duryea at mid-afternoon working the polls, shaking hands and talking to as many voters as he could.

Tina Gartley was making her way around the county all day. She too hopes to win one of two open seats on the Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas.

Judges Peter Paul Olszewski and Thomas Burke are seeking retention. They too were up early and traveled the county all day getting their message out.

And it appears voters have been moved to action because of the "disarray under the dome." We stopped by this polling place in Kingston and found strong opinions.

Alice Umphred said, "A great impact. I've been around a long, long time. I've never seen such corruption, if I must use the word."

Her husband Edward feels the same way. "Very important. I thought it was time, as in the last election, for change so I made my vote the same way. Change was needed in the valley."

Others told us that they hope information is used by voters, and not raw emotions. Dave Hoffman said, "I would hope to think that people are thinking about records rather than listen to entertainment radio. We really have to look at records."

And most voters told us, how could they not be influenced by the ongoing corruption probe, when you consider that 18 people have been charged by the feds in the last 10 months - including two judges.