Luzerne County Council
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Luzerne County Council | |
|---|---|
| Type | |
| Type | |
Term limits | 3 consecutive terms, resets after leaving office |
| History | |
| Founded | 2012 |
| Preceded by | Board of County Commissioners |
| Leadership | |
Jimmy Sabatino, Democratic | |
Brittany Stephenson, Democratic | |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 11 |
 | |
Political groups |
|
Length of term | 4 years |
| Elections | |
| Plurality-at-large voting | |
Last election | November 4, 2025 (5 seats) |
Next election | Primary: May 18, 2027 General: November 2, 2027 (6 seats) |
| Meeting place | |
 | |
| Luzerne County Courthouse in Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania | |
| Website | |
The Luzerne County Council is the governing body of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. The council meets at the Luzerne County Courthouse in Wilkes-Barre. There are eleven members on the assembly (eight Democrats and three Republicans). The chair is both the highest-ranking officer on the council and the head of county government for ceremonial purposes.[1] When the group is not in session, the officer's duties often include acting as its representative to the outside world and its spokesperson. The current chair is Jimmy Sabatino.
Luzerne County voters rejected home rule proposals in the past (once in 1974 and again in 2003). However, from 2008 to 2010, corruption plagued county government. Three county judges, a county commissioner, a clerk of courts, a deputy chief clerk, and a director of human resources faced criminal charges. These events persuaded the voters of Luzerne County to adopt a new form of government. On Tuesday, November 2, 2010, a home rule charter was adopted by a margin of 51,413 to 41,639.[2][3]
The following year (in 2011), the first election for the new government was held. On Monday, January 2, 2012, the previous government (the board of county commissioners) was abolished and replaced with the new form of government (council–manager government). The first members of the Luzerne County Council were sworn in that same day. The first council chair was Jim Bobeck.[4]
In 2025, voters were presented with a proposed charter amendment to reduce the number of seats on county council from 11 to 9 and make other changes to council government, including giving council more direct control over the elections board. The amendment was broadly rejected by voters: nearly 61% of voters and 179 out of 186 precincts rejected the changes.[5]
Election process
The Luzerne County Council is elected by the voters of the county. Nearly half the council is up for election every two years. It rotates between five and six seats. Each council member is elected at-large (to a four-year term). They are limited to three consecutive terms.[6][7] In the May primary, the major political parties (Democratic and Republican) select their top candidates for the general election. For example, those who place in the top five or six become the nominees of their party. Third party (or independent) candidates may also join the race. In the November general election, all political parties/candidates square off on the same ballot. Those who place in the top five or six will be elected or re-elected to council.
Current council members
The following members have been duly elected to county council by the voters of Luzerne County:[8]
| Council member | Tenure | Party | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jimmy Sabatino | 2024–present | Democratic | Chair |
| Brittany Stephenson | 2024–present | Democratic | Vice Chair |
| Patty Krushnowski | 2024–present | Democratic | |
| Joanna Bryn Smith | 2024–present | Democratic | |
| Denise Williams | 2026–present | Democratic | |
| Dawn Simmons | 2026–present | Democratic | |
| Steven Coslett | 2026–present | Democratic | |
| Chris Belles | 2026–present | Democratic | |
| John Lombardo | 2022–present | Republican | |
| Lee Ann McDermott | 2020–present | Republican | |
| Harry Haas | 2012–2022,[9] 2024–present | Republican |