Judicial Candidate Jim Narlesky Flirts With Republicans

Last week, DA John Morganelli sent shock waves through both the legal community by deciding against one of the three judgeships to be decided by Northampton County voters this November. It was a tough call for John. As recently as the afternoon before his public announcement, he was still uncertain.

District Judge James Narlesky had previously announced his own candidacy. Prior to Morganelli's announcement, Narlesky was dating the local Republican party. He had all but hired a respected campaign consultant who only works for Republicans, leading me to conclude he was about to switch teams.

But after John's announcement, I saw an email to prominent insider Democrats, and Narlesky was among those in the loop. With Morganelli out of the picture, he has apparently decided to remain a Democrat. Either that, or he's still playing both sides. The risk he runs is that he will end up disappointing both.

In the wake of Morganelli's announcement, rumblings from Easton tell me that Magistrate Michael Koury is again weighing his options, considering a third run. Popular state representative Craig Dally has also been mulling a run for weeks, as was reported here in December.

Aside from Narlesky, those who have announced or intend to announce thus far are Judge Leonard Zito and Attorneys Sam Murray, Barb Hollenbach and Candy Barr Heimbach.