Chris Patrick

School counselor and political campaign veteran Larissa Cleary Valonis was elected chairperson of the Lackawanna County Democratic Party on Tuesday. She is believed to be the first woman elected to the post.

Acting on numerous complaints, the state Democratic Party assumed control of the process for election new Lackawanna County Democratic Party officers.

Lackawanna County Democratic Party faction plans to legally challenge outgoing county party chairman Chris Patrick's decision to declare 76 newly elected committee members ineligible to serve.

The Lackawanna County Democratic Party and Commissioner Brenda Sacco plan to withdraw lawsuits that sought to declare illegal a special election meant to choose someone to serve out the remainder of former Commissioner Matt McGloin's term. Former state Rep. Thom Welby, a Democrat, won that election Tuesday, according to unofficial results.

Former Lackawanna County planning and economic development director Brenda Sacco took the oath of office as the county's newest commissioner Wednesday, replacing Matt McGloin, who resigned in February.

Former Lackawanna County official Brenda Sacco is scheduled to take the oath of office as former Commissioner Matt McGloin's replacement Wednesday at 10 a.m., despite being allowed to serve only until a replacement is elected. A special election is set for Nov. 4 to replace McGloin.

The state Commonwealth Court has rejected a Lackawanna County Democratic Party appeal of a county court ruling that said voters can decide on a replacement for ex-Commissioner Matt McGloin at a special election Nov. 4.

The Lackawanna County Democratic Party wants the state Commonwealth Court to overturn a county court ruling that allows the Nov. 4 special election to happen.

The special election is Nov. 4. Voters will also choose in a special election for clerk of judicial records.

Brenda Sacco, the confirmed replacement for ex-Lackawanna County commissioner Matt McGloin, said Wednesday she won’t run in the Nov. 4 special election for commissioner if there is one.