FRACKVILLE - A new hat has been thrown into the ring for the election of Schuylkill County sheriff: Mark Kessler has declared himself a write-in candidate for the office.
The embattled police chief of Gilberton announced his candidacy on his "Chief Mark Kessler" Facebook page and his website at www.chiefkessler.com. Kessler is running as an independent against incumbent Sheriff Joseph G. Groody (D) and challenger Patrick Reynolds (R) in the Nov. 5 general election.
A Frackville resident, Kessler said in a phone interview that he had been considering running for sheriff for some time.
"I've been kicking it around for a long time," said Kessler. "Actually, I switched from Republican to independent some time ago. I had picked up a petition to get the 520 or so signatures to run as an independent, but I was pressured by the Republican elites not to and to switch back to Republican, and you know my answer to that was 'No.' I don't need their permission to run. The party don't own this boy."
Kessler said the request to switch back to Republican came from Reynolds, who confirmed that he made the request shortly after the May primary election.
"When he switched over to independent, I did try to get him to switch back to Republican," said Reynolds. "That's his individual choice. Other than that, I've had no contact with him since just after the primary. That's the last time I spoke with him."
As for Kessler's run for sheriff, Reynolds had no comment other than "I wish him the best of luck."
Groody, who is out of state, could not be reached for comment.
Tough run
Schuylkill County Election Bureau Director Frannie Brennan said Kessler switched from Republican to independent on Apr. 19. Kessler had until Aug. 1 to file to get onto the ballot as an independent.
"By Aug. 1, he would have needed to have his signatures and nomination papers," said Brennan. "They're not called petitions. They're called nomination papers. If he had those in and the required number of signatures (512 signatures) by Aug. 1, then he could have been on the ballot for November."
Kessler said he had been a Republican for many years, mainly for the ability to vote in primary elections, but adding that he voted for the candidate, not for the party.
"I feel right at home being an independent right now," he said.
Kessler knows that running as a write-in candidate is an uphill battle.
"It's going to be a tough run," said Kessler. "I probably have a popularity vote, but since my name isn't on the ballot, it's going to be tough. It will be a miracle if I win, but I'll give it a shot. It will let me get my message out. Maybe the people of Schuylkill County will elect me as sheriff, but I'll throw my name into the ring and see what happens. I'll try my best."
Kessler said he has much support in the area and around the country in his bid for sheriff.
"I'm not asking for any money. I just want to do it by word of mouth and boots on the ground," said Kessler. "I'm just asking for people to write me in on Nov. 5. I think it's time for a change all the way around, not just for sheriff. I don't believe you need permission from the Democrats or the Republicans to run on a ticket."
Gilberton
Kessler faces an uncertain future as Gilberton's police chief. On July 31, Gilberton Borough Council suspended Kessler without pay for 30 days on the grounds he used borough weapons without permission while off-duty in YouTube videos in support of Second Amendment rights and in opposition to gun control advocates at national and international levels.
On Aug. 30, the final day of the suspension, a disciplinary hearing was scheduled in the morning, but it was cancelled due to a scheduling conflict involving Kessler's attorney, Joseph Nahas of Frackville. That same evening, borough council held a special meeting. Since the hearing was not held, council extended the suspension indefinitely.
On Thursday, a closed-to-the-public disciplinary hearing will be held at 10 a.m. in the borough municipal building for Kessler to present his side involving his actions and the suspension. Kessler will attend with his counsel, attorney Joseph Nahas, Frackville. Attorneys from Elliott Greenleaf and Dean, the law firm retained by borough council as special counsel in matters involving Kessler, will attend, as will Mayor Mary Lou Hannon. No borough council members are expected to be in attendance.
Kessler expects many of his supporters to come to Gilberton for a rally at 9 a.m.
"I expect a pretty decent turnout of supporters to show up, people who are constitutionally aware," said Kessler. "It won't be at borough hall, but a bit away from it. We don't expect any kind of trouble. For the most part, everybody was respectful and polite last time. There were some disagreements, but people were speaking to each other. We don't expect any kind of nonsense. I ask people to be respectful of each other on both sides of the aisle."
After the hearing, Nahas plans to speak with the news media outside of the municipal building.
"He plans to have a press conference after the kangaroo court," said Kessler.
Borough council has scheduled a special meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday in the municipal building.