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Luzerne County government reorganizes as new officials take the oath of office

Luzerne County Courthouse in Wilkes-Barre, Pa
Luzerne County Courthouse in Wilkes-Barre, Pa
ARK NEYMAN/iStock Editorial / Getty Images Plus

WILKES-BARRE, PA — Luzerne County government entered a new chapter today, January 5, 2026, with a series of swearing-in ceremonies and a pivotal reorganization meeting to determine the future leadership of the County Council.

Morning: A New Controller Takes Office

The day’s events began at 10 a.m. in the historic rotunda of the Luzerne County Courthouse on River Street. Tim McGinley, a former County Councilman and prominent local Democrat, was officially sworn in as the new County Controller. McGinley, who defeated incumbent Walter Griffith in the November general election, returns to county government to oversee its financial auditing and fiscal oversight.


Afternoon: Council Induction and Re-election

At 5 p.m., the courthouse rotunda again served as the backdrop for the induction of five County Council members. The ceremony marked a significant shift in the council's makeup, as four newcomers took their seats alongside one returning veteran:

Chris Belles (Democrat)

Steve Coslett (Democrat)

Dawn Simmons (Democrat)

Denise Williams (Democrat)

John Lombardo (Republican) — Re-elected for a second term.

The election results from November 4, 2025, flipped the council's majority, as Democrats claimed four of the five available seats, replacing several Republican incumbents.