Latest news with #WayneCountyBureauofElections
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Jessica Ellis wins both primaries for magisterial district judge in central Wayne County
Jessica Ellis, a Honesdale-based attorney, won the Republican and Democratic nominations for magisterial district judge in central Wayne County, according to preliminary results in the May 20 primary. The Wayne County Bureau of Elections reported that Ellis received 526 Democratic votes and 1,077 Republican votes, compared to her challenger, Wayne Thomas, who received 198 Democratic and 561 Republican votes. Ellis won in every precinct in both parties except for Canaan Township on the Democratic side. A statement on her campaign Facebook page, Jess for Judge, reads in part, "This victory belongs to all of you—our supporters, volunteers, friends, and neighbors—who believed in Jess and shared our vision for a fair, compassionate, and community-focused judiciary. Your faith in her and your efforts to spread the word made this possible. From knocking on doors to sharing a kind word or offering encouragement, every act of support mattered. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts." The statement continues, "We also want to thank Mr. Thomas for his service to the community and for offering voters a choice. Jess is ready to get to work—serving with integrity, empathy, and a deep respect for the law and the people of Wayne County. Thank you for trusting her with this responsibility." Magisterial District 22-3-02 includes Canaan, Cherry Ridge, South Canaan and Texas townships, and the boroughs of Honesdale, Prompton and Waymart. Peter Becker has worked at the Tri-County Independent or its predecessor publications since 1994. Reach him at pbecker@ or 570-253-3055 ext. 1588. This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Ellis beats Thomas in primaries for district judge in central Wayne
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Jessica Ellis, Wayne Thomas running for judge in Honesdale-based district
The primary election on May 20 in Wayne County features one race for magisterial district judge in central Wayne County. There are two candidates in District 22-03-02 vying for the six-year term starting in 2026: Jessica Ellis, a local attorney, and Wayne Thomas, a retired Pennsylvania state trooper. Both have cross-filed to appear on the Republican and Democratic ballots. Ted Mikulak, who served in this post from 2010 to 2015 before resuming his heating and plumbing contractor trade, had announced his intention to run, but told the Tri-County Independent he felt his "heart was not in it" and instead was endorsing Thomas. Mikulak had not filed his necessary petition with the Wayne County Bureau of Elections. The vacancy for district judge occurred Aug. 23, 2024, when Judge Kay Bates retired before her term was finished. The remaining two district judges in Wayne County, Judge Bonnie Carney (22-3-01) and Judge Jonathan Dunsinger (22-3-04) have handled the caseload. District 22-03-02, based in Honesdale, covers Canaan, Cherry Ridge, South Canaan and Texas townships, and the boroughs of Honesdale, Prompton and Waymart. March 11 was the deadline for candidates to file. The voter registration deadline is May 5. Ellis is partner in the Ellis Law Group in Honesdale with her husband Brandon Ellis and has served as an assistant district attorney since April 2022 with the Wayne County District Attorney's Office. She is also the solicitor for Wayne County Human Services. "Our community deserves a judge whose court reflects the values of Wayne County: hard work, respect for others, and fairness," she said in a press release. "I will be that judge." "I look forward to meeting as many people as I can leading up to the election and will keep my pages updated with opportunities to get together," Ellis said in the release. "I am passionate about my family and building our life here in Wayne County. As a lifelong resident, I've been deeply involved in our community. My record in public service, in my law practice, and in my family demonstrates my commitment to integrity, fairness and hard work." The candidate continued, "I humbly ask for your vote because the district deserves a magistrate judge who understands the unique needs of its residents and their values." Her current community involvement, according to her website, includes being a member of Honesdale Area Jaycees, head coach of Honesdale High School junior varsity softball, vice president of the Wayne County Attorney Bar Association and Honesdale High School mock trial coach. She is also volunteer coach for the Honesdale Missy Basketball Program and for 25 years has been a Central United Methodist Church Bell Choir member. She graduated from Honesdale High School in 2005, Moravian University in Bethlehem in 2009 and from law school at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh in 2013. She and her husband are parents of two sons, Leland, 4 and Wyatt, 2. Her campaign website is and her Facebook page is Jess for Judge: Wayne Thomas, of Prompton, received an honorable discharge in in 2016 after serving 25 years with the Pennsylvania State Police. He worked in both the patrol and criminal investigation units. He is currently serving as a Western Wayne School District police officer. His career in law enforcement, he states in a press release, helped him develop "strong professional working relationships" with numerous county district attorney offices, public defender offices, magistrate offices, children and youth agencies, multi-disciplinary teams, school administrators and teachers, other regional law enforcement agencies and the many attorneys who interact within the court system. "He knows the administration procedures of an MDJ office and courtroom, and has fulfilled the required Minor Judiciary Education Certification," the release states. "He leads by example and demands and gets respect from the students… His job gives him the ability to assist students in career paths, while being a role model, and even teaching classes of students about various aspects of his job," his press release states. 'I made the decision to run for magistrate because I am passionate about upholding the rule of law and ensuring that everyone has access to fair and impartial justice," Thomas said in the release. "I believe that the most important qualities of a successful magistrate are integrity, ethics, impartiality, and a deep commitment to public service.' Thomas continued, "When I can be a part of someone making a right decision to fix a wrong one, especially our children, it makes my life, and all that I have done, and do today, worth it! Fairness is an absolute necessity in a courtroom!" His Facebook page is Wayne for Judge: Peter Becker has worked at the Tri-County Independent or its predecessor publications since 1994. Reach him at pbecker@ or 570-253-3055 ext. 1588. This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Jessica Ellis, Wayne Thomas running for magisterial district judge
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hawley's mayor not seeking second term; fire chief, public works director files to run
Hawley Mayor John Nichols announced March 3 in his private Facebook group, The Mayor's Corner, that he decided not to run again this year after serving one term. Scott Mead, who is the Hawley fire chief and borough public works director, has thrown his proverbial hat in the ring and is the only candidate for mayor in the spring primary, according to the unofficial candidate list released by the Wayne County Bureau of Elections. He is seeking the Republican nomination. His wife Rebecca Mead serves as a council member. "Nearing 70 years old, yes, I've had some medical issues, and I don't suspect that life will get any easier in that regard going forward," Nichols said in a statement emailed to the newspaper. "I have been blessed, beyond measure, being able to retire early, to return home to the hometown I love so much after almost 40 years and buying the house I grew up in as it came up for sale just as I was looking to return 'home' to retire. I've thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to be Mayor of Hawley and gotten to know some really great people here." Nichols added, "I will, if requested and able, be more than happy to assist with Hawley's major upcoming events such as Lake Wallenpaupack's 100th anniversary in 2026, and Hawley's Bicentennial in 2027." From 2023: Mayor Nichols calls for planning, funding for Hawley bicentennial in 2027 As of Monday morning, March 24, Mead had not responded to invitations sent by email on March 13 and 14 to comment on his mayoral aspiration. Three council seats are on the ballot in 2025. Ann Monaghan, a Democrat and current council president, filed to run. Republicans Rebecca Mead and Michele Rojas, both currently on council, filed to run. March 11 was the deadline for candidates to file. Primary elections will be held on May 20. The voter registration deadline is May 5. Peter Becker has worked at the Tri-County Independent or its predecessor publications since 1994. Reach him at pbecker@ or 570-253-3055 ext. 1588. This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Who are the mayor, borough council primary candidates in Hawley?
