In Scranton, Pennsylvania, the mayoral race has taken an intriguing turn as a former city councilman enters the fray as a third-party candidate. Gene Barrett, 77, has declared his candidacy under the Barrett for Mayor party, joining the race just before the filing deadline. This move adds a layer of complexity to the election, which already includes incumbent Mayor Paige Cognetti and other contenders.
Barrett’s entry makes him the second third-party candidate this week, alongside Rik Little, 72, who is running under the AAAMission from God party. Little, who identifies as homeless, is determined to challenge the status quo and return control of the government to the people, away from what he calls the “lawyer class.”
These candidates will compete against Mayor Cognetti, the Democratic nominee, and Trish Beynon, an accounting executive representing the Republican party. Barrett, who previously ran for mayor in 2001, criticizes Cognetti for being absent in addressing key city issues, questioning her recent initiatives.
“The issues are where has she been for three years?” Barrett remarked, emphasizing the lack of progress on quality-of-life matters until recently. He alleges that Cognetti has been preoccupied with activities in Washington rather than focusing on Scranton’s needs.
In contrast, Little expressed his concerns about the city’s decline over the past decades and his motivation to restore its former glory. “It used to be a really great city,” he stated, highlighting his mission to revitalize Scranton.
Wendy Wilson, Cognetti’s campaign communications director, dismissed Barrett’s candidacy, referring to him as a remnant of Scranton’s past. “Mayor Paige Cognetti is the city’s bright future,” Wilson asserted, crediting Cognetti with strengthening city finances and improving public safety.
Mancini Withdraws Mayoral Bid
Meanwhile, another potential third-party candidate, Michael Mancini, has decided against running for mayor due to personal issues and possible health concerns. Mancini, 56, announced his decision, stating, “The time’s not right for me.”
Cognetti’s Primary Victory
Mayor Cognetti, 44, secured a decisive victory over Bob Sheridan in the Democratic primary earlier this year. She won the nomination with a strong 3 to 1 margin, demonstrating her popularity among Democratic voters.
On the Republican side, Trish Beynon emerged victorious over Lynn Labrosky to become the party’s nominee. Barrett, a long-time Democrat, initially planned to challenge Cognetti but shifted his registration to independent after assessing the primary field.
Crowded Council Race
The City Council race in Scranton is also drawing attention, with Council President Gerald Smurl filing as a third-party candidate. Smurl had previously withdrawn from the Democratic race due to issues with his nomination petitions.
Smurl will compete against incumbent Councilman Tom Schuster, Scranton School Director Sean McAndrew, and others for three available council seats. The candidates come from various party affiliations, adding to the dynamic political landscape in Scranton.
Editor’s note: Wendy Wilson is married to Ben Payavis, who is the chief content officer and executive producer at WVIA Public Media.
