A special election to fill a vacancy for a Lackawanna County commissioner will move forward on November 4 after a state appeals court affirmed a county court's decision to deny an injunction that sought to block it.
The county Board of Elections had voted in late August to declare a special election to fill the remainder of former Democratic Commissioner Matt McGloin’s unexpired term, which runs until early January 2028. This decision came amid a legal dispute initiated by Democratic Commissioner Bill Gaughan and the county in March regarding the proper procedure for appointing McGloin’s successor.
The county Democratic Committee and three potential appointees had filed a lawsuit earlier in the month to seek an injunction to stop the special election, arguing it was illegal. A panel of county judges denied the injunction on September 12. The committee then appealed the decision to the state Commonwealth Court. On Friday, Judge Anne E. Covey issued an order affirming the county's decision.
In a memorandum opinion, Judge Covey wrote that the record evidence supports the trial court’s finding that the appellants did not show an injunction was necessary to prevent immediate and irreparable harm that could not be compensated by damages. As a result of this order, the special election will proceed as scheduled.
