Lackawanna County Commissioner Stance on Special Election Outcome
The political landscape in Lackawanna County is stirring as Commissioner Brenda Sacco affirms her intent to respect the results of an upcoming special election, provided the process adheres to legal standards. This comes after a period of speculation regarding her position on the matter.
In a recent Facebook post, Sacco expressed her commitment, stating, “There is a lot of concern regarding whether I will honor the lawful result of this special election — of course, I will.” She went on to describe her role as commissioner as both demanding and rewarding, emphasizing her dedication to her duties for the duration of her term.
Sacco stepped in to fill the vacancy left by former Commissioner Matt McGloin but is not running in the special election, which is intended to complete his term. Despite her current role, Sacco supports a legal challenge by the county Democratic Party, questioning the legality of the Board of Elections’ decision to call the special election. This challenge is still being considered by the county court of common pleas, although an emergency order to halt the election was not granted.
Special Election Candidates and Board of Elections Composition
The special election will see three candidates vying for the position: Democratic nominee and former state Rep. Thom Welby, Republican candidate and ex-utility operations manager Chet Merli, and independent Michael P. Cappellini, who works as a brand ambassador for a national cigar company.
Complicating matters, a request to clarify the composition of the county Board of Elections was denied by President Judge James Gibbons. In a communication addressed to county Solicitor Paul James Walker and elections board Solicitor Don Frederickson, Gibbons confirmed the board’s makeup of Judges Terrence R. Nealon, Margaret Bisignani-Moyle, and Frank Ruggiero, following his previous decision to replace commissioners Bill Gaughan and Chris Chermak with these judges on September 17.
This change was prompted by the county home rule charter, which Gibbons interpreted as excluding commissioners from serving on the elections board when an election involving commissioners is on the ballot. Walker and Frederickson sought a meeting to resolve the board’s membership, citing a charter provision excluding commissioners if they are “eligible for re-election,” a condition not applicable to Gaughan, Chermak, or Sacco this year.
Gibbons, however, dismissed the need for a meeting, referencing his earlier order as clear and unambiguous, and questioned whether the solicitors had the authority of a majority of the commissioners to request such a meeting. He remarked, “I see no need for clarification. The order rather unambiguously says what it says. Regarding your invitation to discuss this matter, I am disinclined to acquiesce to your request.”
The situation remains tense, with Chermak distancing himself from the solicitors’ actions, claiming no involvement and expressing hesitance to rejoin the board until the commissioner-related issues are resolved. Walker highlighted Sacco’s ethical constraints due to her ongoing lawsuit and the potential conflict of interest in joining the elections board. Gaughan, on the other hand, expressed concerns about the possibility of the letter being a precursor to attempts at undermining the election process.
For further updates on this evolving story, please stay tuned.
For more details, you can read the full letter here.
