Runco (I) withdraws from special election for Lackawanna County commissioner

SCRANTON, Pa. — One of the independent candidates vying to serve the remainder of former Lackawanna County Commissioner Matt McGloin's term withdrew from the race Monday amid a challenge to more than six dozen signatures on his nominating paperwork.

Ryan Runco's departure leaves Democrat Thom Welby, of Scranton; Republican Chet Merli, of Blakely; and independent Michael Cappellini, of Jessup, as the remaining candidates for commissioner on November's ballot.

McGloin's resignation was accepted by the county at the beginning of March. However, the the vacancy has remained open while Democratic Commissioner Bill Gaughan and the leadership of the county party spar in court over the proper process for selecting his replacement.

A special election is slated for November to fill the remainder of McGloin's roughly two-year unexpired term. The planned election is one of the fronts in the ongoing court battle. Last week was the deadline for candidates to submit nominating paperwork and for others to challenge those nominations.


https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/lackawanna-county/lackawanna-county-commissioner-ryan-runco-special-election-matt-mcgloin/523-5ea89dae-4859-4697-8548-9448c74d81ca