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By KENNETH P. VOGEL [email protected]
Wednesday, May 01, 2002 Page: 10A
With less than three weeks to go until the May 21 primary election, Luzerne
County’s state lawmakers have had exactly the type of campaign season that
incumbents like – quiet.
But one challenger wants to change that.
Dustin Grymko, a 25-year-old waiter from Nanticoke who is seeking the
Democratic nomination to represent the 119th House District, has challenged
state Rep. John Yudichak to a debate.
“It’s vitally important that the good people of District 119 have the
opportunity to hear our views on the issues that concern each and everyone of
us,” Grymko wrote in a release.
Grymko was out campaigning door-to-door Tuesday and could not be reached
for comment. The release – which misspelled Yudichak’s last name – said the
debate challenge was relayed in a Saturday phone call to Yudichak’s district
office in Nanticoke.
“We can’t respond to that, because that would be engaging in political
activity out of the district office,” Yudichak said.
The budgets for lawmakers’ offices come from state tax money, which can’t
be used for campaigning.
“If Mr. Grymko wants to debate, he or his campaign staff should contact
our campaign staff,” Yudichak said, adding “we’re not dodging any debate.”
Grymko has “what would seem to be a mutually agreeable format in mind,”
according to his statement, which did not elaborate on the format.
Yudichak said he’d agree to a debate “sponsored and put-together by a
reputable, non-partisan institution – a group like the League of Women
Voters.” He said Grymko should have made his request “when the petitions
were filed” on March 12.
State Rep. George Hasay, R-Shickshinny, is the only other county lawmaker
facing a primary challenge. His opponent, Joe O’Hara of Dorrance, has not
announced plans to challenge Hasay to a debate.
Debates and door-to-door campaigning can be effective campaign techniques,
said local campaign guru Ed Mitchell. But he added that in order to beat
“entrenched legislators” like Hasay or Yudichak, the challengers would
likely “have to prove that the incumbent isn’t worthy of re-election. Then
you have to prove that you’re a viable alternative. I haven’t seen (O’Hara or
Grymko) take that first step.”
Kenneth P. Vogel, the Times Leader’s Harrisburg reporter, can be reached at
(717) 238-4728.