Two current judges in Luzerne County were up for retention Tuesday and what is usually seen as a sure bet for retentions suddenly took on a different tone because of the on-going corruption scandal.
Judge Thomas Burke and Judge Peter Paul Olszefski were both elected to a 10-year term in 1999. Both were looking for another 10 years but only one will get it.
Judge Burke won reelection to the bench..
"I'm enormously grateful to the voters of Luzerne County. I dare say I will redouble my commitment to serve this court and live up to my oath of office on behalf of this electorate to restore confidence to our justice system," Burke said after learning the outcome of the election. "It was my objective to take my initiative directly to the people, to be present with them and to look them in the eye and explain my status and the ultimate objective was to persuade them that I deserved an opportunity to continue to serve as a judge in Luzerne County."
Judge Peter Paul Olszewski was not retained by 55 percent of the voters.
Judge Thomas Burke and Judge Peter Paul Olszefski were both elected to a 10-year term in 1999. Both were looking for another 10 years but only one will get it.
Judge Burke won reelection to the bench..
"I'm enormously grateful to the voters of Luzerne County. I dare say I will redouble my commitment to serve this court and live up to my oath of office on behalf of this electorate to restore confidence to our justice system," Burke said after learning the outcome of the election. "It was my objective to take my initiative directly to the people, to be present with them and to look them in the eye and explain my status and the ultimate objective was to persuade them that I deserved an opportunity to continue to serve as a judge in Luzerne County."
Judge Peter Paul Olszewski was not retained by 55 percent of the voters.
