Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas

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.

The state Superior Court ruled Lackawanna County District Attorney Brian Gallagher can refile charges of failing to report abuse against Office of Youth and Family Services staffers, but cannot refile charges of endangering the welfare of children.

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.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court on Friday morning approved Lackawanna County and County Commissioner Bill Gaughan's request for an emergency order preventing the appointment of a new commissioner to replace Matt McGloin, who resigned in February.

Lackawanna County and Commissioner Bill Gaughan asked the state Supreme Court to allow county judges to replace resigned commissioners without political parties having a direct say.

The lawyer for Lackawanna County and Commissioner Bill Gaughan says Supreme Court should settle the way to replace ex-commissioner Matt McGloin.

The ruling clears the way for other county common pleas court judges to replace resigned Commissioner Matt McGloin, but it's unclear if they'll do that before a 30-day period for appealing the ruling passes.

The county common pleas court judges will choose from former county official Brenda Sacco, Olyphant Council President James Baldan and Scranton School Director Bob Casey.

Party chairman Chris Patrick declines to say if he'll start the party's process again or simply submit the same three names he submitted last week.