The Democratic Party of Carbon County has nominated a Nesquehoning resident as the party’s nominee for Recorder of Deeds.

William “Bill” Richards will replace the late Emmett McCall as the Democratic nominee for the November municipal election. McCall, who passed away in March 2019, held the post for the last 20 years and won the party’s nomination in the May primary.

“We are excited to add a candidate like Bill Richards to our Democratic team for the upcoming municipal election,” said Democratic Party of Carbon County Chair Billy O’Gurek. “Bill’s record of public service and community involvement is unmatched. He’s spent a lifetime solving problems and improving the quality of life for those in Carbon County.”

According to O’Gurek, Richards was selected at the conclusion of the party’s process, which saw interested candidates submit applications and participate in in-person interviews. A special meeting was convened on June 10, where the recommendation was ratified.

Rochards has been in public service for over 40 years and currently serves as deputy chief of staff to state Sen. John Yudichak, D-Carbon/Luzerne. He also worked as director of field operations for state House Speaker Keith McCall, D=Carbon from 2005-2011. He also worked for 25 years as a human services casework coordinator for the Carbon County Action Committee.

A former member of the Panther Valley School District Board of Directors, Richards was elected to two terms and served from 1999-2005. While on the Board, he also served as a member of the Operating Committee of the Carbon County Career and Technical Institute. Richards is also a member of the Nesquehoning Conservation Club, a group founded to promote field and stream conservation and promote awareness of fishing in the Nesquehoning Creek. He and his wife, Joanne, live in Nesquehoning and have one son, Ryan.

McCall received 3,542 complimentary votes in the primary. Richards will run against Republican Donna L. Gentile of Jim Thorpe, who was unopposed in May and collected 4,200 votes.