Local Dems to Pick Brennan Replacement Tonight

Democratic Committee members from within the 133rd State House District will meet tonight to pick a replacement candidate for State Rep. Joseph Brennan on the November general election ballot, The Express Times reported.

Facing criminal charges and a continuing struggle with alcohol addiction, Brennan announced Wednesday . He intends to remain in office until his term expires on Nov. 30.

On Thursday, to have his name removed from the ballot and granted a state Democratic Party request to replace him on the ballot.

Local Democrats will meet at 7 p.m. at the Fullerton Fire Co., 851 Second St., Whitehall Township, to pick a replacement. The state Democratic Party Executive Committee will have to approve that selection.

Under the Commonwealth Court ruling, that will have to happen by 4 p.m. Wednesday.

The newspaper mentioned five potential candidates: Fountain Hill Mayor Jose Rosado, Coplay Councilman Bill Leiner Jr., Bethlehem attorney Anthony Rybak, Bethlehem financial consultant George Yasso and former Whitehall Township official Daniel McNeill.

The Republican nominee for the seat is Catasauqua acupuncturist Dave Molony.

The 133rd state House district includes nearly half of the city of Bethlehem, Fountain Hill, Catasauqua, Coplay, Hanover Township in Lehigh County and parts of Allentown and Salisbury and Whitehall townships.