Under the current makeup of the 14th senatorial District in Pennsylvania, Carbon County is joined by parts of Luzerne County in comprising the district, which is currently represented by Sen. John Yudichak, an Independent.

While Yudichak is not seeking re-election, the district is also changing, as the reapportionment process has resulted in Carbon County being shifted to the 29th senatorial District, which is currently represented by Sen. David Argall, a Republican from Lake Hauto.

The new 14th includes Walnutport in the Times News coverage area, as well as neighboring boroughs and townships. Starting next year, the district will consist of parts of Lehigh County, including the City of Allentown (parts, wards 1-12, 14-17 and 19) and the townships of Hanover, Salisbury, South Whitehall (parts, districts 1, 2, 4 5 and 7) and Whitehall and the boroughs of Catasauqua, Coplay, Emmaus and Fountain Hill; and part of Northampton County, consisting of the townships of Allen, Bushkill, East Allen, Hanover, Lehigh and Moore and the boroughs of Bath, Chapman, North Catasauqua, Northampton and Walnutport.

Aspiring to the four-year term are Democrat Nick Miller and Republican Dean D. Browning, who both won their parties’ nominations in the May Primary Election.

Miller won the Democratic nomination by a slim margin - 42 votes - tallying 8,835 votes and edging out Tara Zrinski, 8,793. A third candidate, Yamelisa Taveras, copped 3,229 votes.

Browning also defeated two opponents in the GOP balloting, garnering 8,817 votes. Finishing second was Cindy Miller, 5,376, while Omy Maldonado tallied 3,757.

Miller attended Penn State University and the University of Pennsylvania. His career experience includes working as a small businessperson and realtor and serving as vice president of the Allentown School Board. He has been affiliated with the Allentown School District, Chamber of Commerce and Penn State Launch Box.

Dean Browning earned a bachelor’s degree from Denison University in 1978 and a graduate degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1979. His career experience includes working as a business executive.

A Pennsylvania senator’s base salary is $95,432.