SCRANTON, PA — Infighting erupted among Lackawanna County Commissioners on Monday as Democratic Commissioner Bill Gaughan publicly slammed his Democratic colleague, Thom Welby, for supporting a Republican leader.
The friction began when Welby, the board's newest member, advocated for Republican Chris Chermak to serve as Vice Chair. Gaughan accused Welby of abandoning party values and forming a "new Republican majority" on the board.
In response, both Chermak and Welby defended the move, stating they are prioritizing bipartisan governance over party loyalty. Welby noted he is committed to working for the public interest, while Chermak emphasized his long-standing focus on county-wide needs rather than political optics.





