Wilkes-Barre Mayor Tom Leighton writes off a write-in campaign

Oct. 26--WILKES-BARRE -- Mayor Tom Leighton will not seek re-election via a write-in campaign.

In a two-paragraph emailed statement delivered Monday, Leighton said he gave the idea much thought, but decided to stay out of the race between Democrat Tony George and Republican Frank Sorick.

Here is Leighton's statement:

"The past five days have been a tremendous experience for my family and me. The support and confidence the public has shown me the past 24 years truly was expressed over the weekend. I took a lot into consideration in making a decision on my future. In doing so, I analyzed the reasons why I chose not to seek re-election in February. Those reasons have not changed and at this time I will not be formally conducting a write-in campaign for Mayor.

"I want to thank my family for their support, along with all of my supporters who have contacted me over the past five days with your concerns for the city. Your support and confidence is greatly appreciated."

Leighton signed the statement: "I Believe, Mayor Thomas M. Leighton."

Brown weighs in

With the election only a week away, City Councilman George Brown, who lost the Democratic primary for mayor to Tony George, also said he will not run as a write-in candidate.

Brown said Monday that he was not considering re-entering the race until a couple of weeks ago. He said following last week's mayoral forum, sponsored by the Times Leader and King's College, several people approached him, asking that he mount a write-in campaign.

"I was considering it and decided yesterday (Sunday) I would not," Brown said. "I was never considering it, but was approached about a month ago to enter the race. Then after last week's mayoral forum, many people said they weren't impressed with either of the candidates."

Brown said despite the encouragement, he felt he wouldn't be able to mount a successful write-in campaign.

"I didn't think I'd be successful even though I feel I would be the most qualified candidate," Brown said.

Brown said he has not endorsed either Tony George or Frank Sorick for the job.

"As of now, I am not endorsing either candidate," Brown said. "I still feel I am the most qualified person for the job."

George, who serves on City Council and is a former city police chief, said he continues to campaign door to door.

"Most people I've talked to tell me they want a change," George said. "The voters and residents of the city are looking for a new, fresh start. My law and order agenda is what the voters want. This will bring safety to the city and bring more businesses and residents downtown."

With Nov. 3 looming, George said his plan is to keep talking to people.

"I'll be working hard right up to the day of the election," he said. "I can't let up."

Sorick said he never thought Leighton would enter the race. He said the reasons Leighton gave in February for deciding not to run for a fourth term reappeared in his announcement Monday.

"If he thought in February that he wasn't going to run, I didn't think he would change his mind now," Sorick said of the mayor. Eight months ago Leighton said he will return to work in his family's real estate and insurance business.

The three-term mayor listed his accomplishments at the time as improving the city's infrastructure, restoring its credit rating and helping to rebuild the business community. He had been a city council member before winning the mayoral post in 2003.

Sorick said he wished Leighton well, saying that the mayor has accomplished much and has "made some mistakes along the way."

Sorick said some people have told him that Leighton's entrance into the race would have fractured the Democratic Party, thereby improving Sorick's chances of victory.

"If he did get in the race, I honestly don't know what effect it would have had," Sorick said.

Sorick said the mayor's race should not be about a Republican versus a Democrat.

"It should be about the candidates," he said. "It should never be about the party. It should be about which candidate would best represent you as a voter, a resident and as taxpayers."

Leighton said in the end it came down to whether he could pull a victory out of his political hat. He said he was hoping for "extremely strong endorsements from the two newspapers in town."

Leighton said he received many calls, texts and emails urging him to seek another term.

"People are still saying they intend to write me in," he said.

Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.

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