SCRANTON, Pa. — After nearly a year of political backbiting and intrigue, voters in Lackawanna County chose Democrat Thom Welby to succeed former Commissioner Matt McGloin, unofficial vote totals show

Welby was one of three candidates who competed in a special election to fill the unexpired term McGloin vacated in February, when he stepped down from the board. The term runs through the beginning of 2028.

With 96% of the county's precincts reporting, Welby had received 27,012 votes and led Republican Chet Merli by 7,159 votes and former Democrat turned independent Michael Cappellini by 11,871 votes.

Cappellini was endorsed by Democratic Commissioner Bill Gaughan, who has been at loggerheads with the leadership of the county Democratic Party over the process to name McGloin’s replacement.

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