Click here to subscribe today or Login.
WILKES-BARRE — When John Pekarovsky was elected chairman of the Luzerne County Democratic Party in June 2018, he said the party “was broke” and “we’re on the way to fixing it.”
Pekarovsky has now resigned the post.
Kathy Bozinski, who formerly worked in the local radio and television industry and currently serves as the director of marketing and communication at the United Way of Wyoming Valley, will assume the party’s leadership role.
“I believe we need to embrace traditional Democrats in Luzerne County. I believe we have to engage young Democrats in Luzerne County. I think we also have to reach out and engage with folks who have moved into this area from other states,” said Bozinski, who had been the party’s vice chair.
Pekarovsky said he spoke with leadership at the state level to inform them of his decision, which is effective immediately. He also spoke to Bozinski to inform her and she has accepted the leadership role.
State Sen. John Yudichak won reelection in 2018, but last week he announced he was leaving the Democratic Party to become a registered independent. That move sent shock waves through the party, ultimately leading to Pekarovsky’s decision to step down.
Pekarovsky had served as treasurer of the Citizens for Yudichak Campaign Committee.
“There have been a lot of concerns raised about my friendship with Sen. Yudichak and that my wife (Joan) has worked for John for 20 years.”
Pekarovsky said the state leadership urged him to stay on, citing improvement in the county party. He said he would have had to resign as Yudichak’s campaign treasurer had he stayed on as party chairman.
Pekarovsky also cited social media attacks against him since Yudichak announced his decision to become an independent.
“Even if I resigned as John’s campaign treasurer and stayed as party chairman, there would be people who would try to undermine me because of our friendship,” Pekarovsky said. “Sen. Yudichak is still the same guy and will remain the same guy with the same values he has always had. I don’t understand all the criticism.”
Pekarovsky said Yudichak has served his constituents well, bringing many new projects and jobs to the region. He said Yudichak remains diligent in his fight to keep the State Correctional Institution at Retreat and White Haven Center open, preserving more than 800 jobs.
“John has always been very good for our area,” Pekarovsky said. “I just felt it would be better for me to step down. I don’t want people second-guessing me because of my friendship with John.”
Yudichak, I-Plymouth Township, said Pekarovsky has been an outstanding leader for the Democratic Party and as a member of Larksville Borough Council. He said he and Pekarovsky have been friends for more than two decades.
“We have worked together for years,” Yudichak said. “I knew my decision to switch to independent was going to present a challenge to John and the Democratic Party. People are partisan and upset about my decision. I know John wants the party to be successful and he felt it would be better for Kathy Bozinski to serve as chairman. I wish her the best.”
Yudichak said he will work together on behalf of candidates share his views on issues.
Pekarovsky, a Larksville councilman for 24 years, was elected chairman of the Luzerne County Democratic Party at a June 2018 meeting held at Grotto Pizza in Edwardsville that was attended by 114 party members.
Pekarovsky garnered 87 votes to earn the chairman’s spot, succeeding Michael DeCosmo of Hazle Township.
At that meeting, Pekarovsky, 56, said he was excited to take the reins of the party that he served as 4th District chairman.
“My goal is to make the party more inclusive,” Pekarovsky said. “This was the largest turnout we’ve had in a long time. We hope to get more people involved.”
