Party People showcases the many faces of Luzerne County Republicans. We will occasionally feature a member of our party who makes us all proud to be Republicans.

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WHO: Bob Zaruta

AGE: 26

RESIDENCE: Plymouth

OCCUPATION: Attorney

A REPUBLICAN SINCE...2004

WHY THE GOP: "I am a Republican because I believe in small, less intrusive government, lower taxes and protection of our constitutional rights. To me, the Republican Party symbolizes the 'Anerican Dream' in that it promotes the opportunity to achieve anything you desire with hard work and dedication.

PARTY STUFF: Luzerne County Young Republicans; Campaign Staff for Rick Arnold, candidate for State Representative, 119th District; Volunteer for Republican candidates

HOBBIES & INTERESTS: Playing basketball and golf

LITTLE-KNOWN FACT: I'm a huge Hootie & the Blowfish fan

IN HIS OWN WORDS: "The time for complaining is over, and the time for taking action is here. Nov. 2 is only a few months away and it is time to come together and focus on electing candidates who will fix Harrisburg and Washington, D.C."

AGE:

WHO: Rebecca Gilbert

AGE: 53

RESIDENCE: Dallas

OCCUPATION: Nurse

FAMILY: Husband Charles; sons Daniel and Matthew

A REPUBLICAN SINCE: August 2008 when she decided she did not like the path the country was taking.

WHY THE GOP: She did not agree with the big government bailouts

and believes raising taxes is not the answer to our problems.

PARTY STUFF: Rebecca volunteers for the GOP, and is a member of the Luzerne County Council of Republican Women and co-chairman of the group's Scholarship Committee.

HOBBIES & INTERESTS: Originally from Niskyuna, N.Y., Rebeca enjoys volunteering with her church and community and spending time with her family and their dog Jack.

LITTLE-KNOWN FACT: All four of Rebecca's grandparents were born in the 1880s.

IN HER WORDS: "The GOP, especially in Luzerne County, is alive and well...it welcomes new people and new ideas.

"On a personal level, I was ready for a change. I am getting involved in the GOP and it has been a wonderful learning process."

WHO: Paul J.M. Stebbins

AGE: 31

RESIDENCE: West Pittston

OCCUPATION: Education

A REPUBLICAN SINCE...Officially since 1997 and unofficially since the third grade.

WHY THE GOP: "I am a Republican because I believe that it's a good and noble idea to work for something. I feel you tend to respect it more. I also believe in the idea that officials wouldn't run their own finances like they do the country and that people need to remind them of that. I am also very pro-life and pro-Second Amendment."

PARTY STUFF: Luzerne County Young Republicans, volunteer for Republican candidates; former candidate for state representative in the 120th District (2006); campaign chairman for Joseph Leonardi's congressional run in 2006.

HOBBIES & INTERESTS: Golf, watching sports, hanging out with friends, hunting and fishing

LITTLE-KNOWN FACT: "I think Phil Collinsis the greatest singer ever!"

IN HIS OWN WORDS: "We can always sit and compalin about how government is corrupt but in the end the real candidates that could change that never get a shake because they refuse to lie and tell constituents what they want to hear in promises.

"Those are the men and women I suppport, the same ones we should work hard to get behind. If we don't, then we no only let down that candidate but we let down all those around us. It's time to really get involved and make calls, go door to door, do whatever they need." 

WHO: Dave & Donna Baloga

AGE: Both 51

RESIDENCE: Lake Township

OCCUPATION: Dave is a journeyman sheet-fed pressman and sits on the executive board of the Teamsters Union GCIU/IBT-137C-Graphic Arts.

FAMILY: Sons Christian and Michael; daughter Angela

A REPUBLICAN SINCE: As long as they can remember.

WHY THE GOP: They believe that Republican conservative values reflect their personal values and are passionate about the GOP principles. They believe the issues of the country can only be handled by an empowered electorate and that means educating voters and being part of the solution.

PARTY STUFF: They're both committee people in Lake Township. Donna is secretary of the Luzerne County Council of Republican Women. Dave is vice chairman of the 2nd District.

HOBBIES & INTERESTS: Dave enjoys being outdoors riding his ATV or dirt bike and talking politics. Donna is interested in photography and enjoys sewing and cooking. They love volunteering for the Republican Party and taking vacations with their children.

IN THEIR WORDS: "We need to get our country back on the right track," Donna said. "We need to be the voice for the party. It won't happen on its own."

Dave: "Help shape this party and our government by becoming active. You will love the people you meet; they are the best."