Deborah J. Gigliotti of Summit Hillis running for Register of Wills and Clerk of the Orphans' Court in Carbon County.

Longtime officeholderJudy F. Moon announced she will not seek re-election and will retireat the end of 2017.Gigliotti, who has been Moon's first deputy for seven years, is seeking the Democratic nomination in the May 16 primary.Gigliotti, who has worked in the office for 12 years, cites a "wealth of experience" as Moon's first deputy.She said, "I welcome the opportunity to seek election as Judy's successor and feel it would be a smooth transition for the office and the citizens of Carbon County."Gigliotti said she "gained vast experience in handling all aspects of the office," including the probate of estates, collection of inheritance taxes and the processing of cases that involve terminations, adoptions, incapacitations and guardianships."These are complex issues that cannot be learned in a few weeks, even months, and although I still learn new things all of the time, especially with laws changing with regard to the office, I feel my experience in the office in over a decade of service would be a plus, and would keep disruptions from the change of the officeholder to a minimum."The office also handles marriage licenses and genealogy information requests.Gigliottiand her husband, Bob, have served as Democratic Party committeewoman and committeeman in Summit Hill's White Bear section for over 10 years.Gigliotti owned the former Gigliotti's Flowers, Jim Thorpe, for 19 years, and also worked at Carefree Lawns, Jim Thorpe, as a secretary and florist.She is a charter member of the Jim Thorpe Lioness Club and has volunteered for the Carbon County Lions/Lioness Fair Association and several organizations over the past 42 years.A daughter of the late Calvin and Jean Miller, she is a 1974 graduate of Lehighton Area High School.She and her husband are the parents of Christopher Gigliotti and Jodie A. Spang, both of Jim Thorpe. They are the grandparents of Michael Gigliotti, Kaitlyn Gigliotti, Gunnar and Nolan Rehrig and Samuel Spang.