Marino announces candidacy
Published: February 3, 2010
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TOM MARINO
Former U.S. Attorney Tom Marino formally jumped into the Republican race for Congress Wednesday, and stopped by the Wyoming County Press Examiner office Thursday to discuss his platform.
Marino, 57, of Lycoming County, is seeking his party's nomination for the 10th Congressional District seat held by U.S. Rep. Chris Carney, D-Dimock.
He said that of the Republican field, he believes he has the experience and maturity that puts him above the rest, and he is interested in reducing federal spending, downsizing government and cutting taxes.
He said that he had contemplated running two years ago, but determined then it wasn’t for him.
However, Marino said that the way Washington is operating now, federal spending needs to be brought under control.
“People in Washington have lost touch with reality, and I want to change that,” Marino said.
And once elected, he said he would spend as little time in Washington as possible. “I’m going to go out in the district and see that our people are represented. And really address what can be done to improve the quality of life for people.”
Marino said he did not like that health care “is being rammed down our throats.”
“But, don’t get me wrong, people should have health care and if people can’t afford it we have to help somewhere,” he said.
Marino acknowledged having a daughter who had cystic fibrosis, and he really didn’t want some federal bureaucrat “telling me where I have to take her to get treatment.”
At the same time, Marino talked about the gas boom that is part of the Marcellus shale and acknowledged that it flowed under his home county as well as most of the 10th District.
He said he had leased no land to the gas companies, and he was aware that there were parts of the district- most notably around Dimock- where water was contaminated presumably from drilling activity, although he had not studied the issue closely.
If the drillers are responsible, and he said he had no preconceived notions one way or the other, then they need to make people’s water supply right.
“I own a well and I know I would be upset if I weren’t able to get fresh water,” Marino said, noting that the goal was to reduce foreign energy dependence.
“The issue,” he said, “is how do we do it and make certain the environment is looked after.”
Marino acknowledged that within hours of his announcement, he became the target of the National Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee that attempted to tie him to Louis DeNaples and even went so far to call him ‘Casino’ Marino.
He said while he was a friend and legal adviser to DeNaples, he had absolutely no legal ties to DeNaples’ casino holdings at Mount Airy.
He added that when he left the federal judgeship to advise DeNaples, the FBI vetted all of the issues to make sure the relationship was on the up and up.
“I have nothing to be ashamed of,” Marino said. “I am not turning my back, I will not distance myself from Louis to get a vote. He's my friend."
Josh Drobnyk, Carney's spokesman, said that the Congressman had no direct comment on Marino's candidacy.
He noted, however, that the congressman "is concentrating on creating jobs in our region and listening to the people from all 14 counties."
