The Democratic Party in Lackawanna County is embroiled in a contentious dispute that could soon escalate into another legal battle. At the heart of the conflict is the eligibility of 76 party committee members recently deemed ineligible by the outgoing county Democratic chairman.
Chris Patrick, the current chairman who is stepping down after three terms, has ruled that 76 newly elected committee members are not eligible to serve or vote in the upcoming reorganization meeting. Patrick cited a violation of the party’s by-laws, specifically targeting those who supported non-Democrats in past elections. He communicated this decision in letters dated June 10.
“If you openly support a member of another party other than the Democratic Party in a special or general election, you’re not eligible to serve on the committee,” Patrick stated. “And if you are on the committee, you will be removed for a two-year period. So that’s what I did.”
Lexie Kelly, a candidate for party chairperson and one of those barred, has promised to challenge this decision legally. “This is bigger than a disagreement over party politics,” she said in a statement. “This is about whether the votes of Democrats in Lackawanna County matter.” Kelly’s group intends to file a formal ethics complaint with the state Democratic Party.
The Lackawanna County Democratic Party consists of 326 committee seats, with one man and one woman representing each of the county’s 163 voting precincts. The primary election on May 19 saw the election of new committee members.
“Hundreds of Democrats worked tirelessly to elect new committee members because they wanted transparency, accountability, and a stronger party,” Kelly expressed. “Instead of respecting those results, the old guard is attempting to overturn them through procedural maneuvering and intimidation.”
Other Criticisms of Patrick
State Senator Marty Flynn, who has previously clashed with Patrick, criticized the chairman’s decision in a Facebook post. While opposing Kelly’s bid for chair due to her past affiliation with the Republican Party, Flynn stated he does not “condone, support or agree” with Patrick’s actions. “I have family and friends and coworkers who are being targeted and right now is the time to row in the same direction, not sow division!” he wrote.
Patrick maintains that his decision was impartial and not influenced by any preference for a successor. Among those disqualified were Scranton City Councilman Patrick Flynn, the senator’s cousin, and state Rep. Kyle Donahue, who has been critical of Patrick.
Patrick Flynn criticized the timing of Patrick’s enforcement of this by-law, noting it had never been enforced before. “This by-law wasn’t being enforced, and now on his way out the door, it’s enforced to the tune of 76 individuals. (It’s) just beyond my comprehension that this is the way to leave the party behind,” he said.
The Selection Process
The party is scheduled to elect new officers on July 7. Lexie Kelly and Dickson City Mayor Robert MacCallum are considered the leading candidates for the position of chairperson.
The Democratic By-laws
According to Rule 7 of the county party’s by-laws, only duly registered and enrolled Democratic electors are eligible to serve as committee members or officers. The rule prohibits individuals from serving if they have supported non-Democratic candidates in general or special elections within the last two years, except for non-partisan races like school board or judicial positions.
Last year, former Democrats Colleen Gerrity and Michael Cappellini ran as independents in special elections, partly to protest the perceived lack of transparency in the party’s candidate selection. Additionally, Scranton City Councilman Gerald Smurl and former City Councilman Gene Barrett ran as independents, influencing Patrick’s decision.
Patrick’s Decision Process
Patrick reviewed publicly available documents, including nominating petitions and campaign finance reports, to identify Democrats who supported non-party candidates. “Probably 50% of them were on multiple petitions, multiple campaign finance reports, and public pictures, and public support, and public endorsements, and all of that,” Patrick said. “I mean, I didn’t even use any of that.”
Patrick acknowledged his decision affects committee members elected by Democratic voters but emphasized his intent to preserve the party’s integrity. “You go behind that curtain or fill out your ballot, or whatever you do, and you support who you want,” he said. “Nobody knows what you do. That’s a private vote. But when you are a committee member and you openly support people that are not aligned … that’s all a different story with Democrats.”
Previously, the party engaged in a legal dispute with Democratic Commissioner Bill Gaughan concerning the replacement of former Commissioner Matt McGloin. Gaughan, who supported another candidate, contested the party’s process, with many of Kelly’s supporters backing him and protesting the closed-door meeting where the party selected its special election candidates.
