Bufalino Wins Seat on Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas

Article

Mark Bufalino, the Democratic candidate for a newly created judgeship on the Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas, bested his Republican opponent, Tom Mosca, in their race for the post on Tuesday.

Bufalino scored 40,549 votes to Mosca’s 35,556, taking 53% of the ballots, according to unofficial election results.

“I’m feeling very grateful, obviously. This is a dream come true,” Bufalino said in a brief phone call. “I’m really happy with all the support we got from our voters and our team.”

Bufalino will help the existing judges address a surge in court filings that prompted the expansion to an 11th seat on the bench as well as the addition of courtroom space at the Luzerne County Courthouse. The post carries a 10-year-term.

Bufalino, 55, of the Trucksville section of Kingston Twp., is employed at the Wilkes-Barre law firm Elliott Greenleaf. He graduated from Villanova University and Dickinson School of Law and served as county Democratic Party chairman from 2006 to 2011.

He has practiced law for nearly 30 years, handling a mix of civil, criminal and labor law cases. In addition to working as counsel for local law enforcement officers, Bufalino is also certified by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to try death-penalty cases.

“In the nearly 30 years of practicing law, I have handled a wide variety of complex civil, criminal and labor law cases. I have tried approximately 30 jury trials in my career and can hit the ground running to get to work for all of the citizens of Luzerne County on day one,” Bufalino told The Citizens’ Voice last month, adding that it was that experience that earned him the endorsement of law enforcement.

Bufalino ran on a platform of being “tough but fair” and has said he is committed to upholding the “rule of law.”

By Stephen Mocarsky | smocarsky@citizensvoice.com | The Citizens’ Voice