In reversal, officials now considering special election to replace McGloin

ackawanna County officials are considering holding a special election Nov. 4 to fill former Democratic Commissioner Matt McGloin’s vacant seat, something they previously said state law didn’t allow.

The specific legal basis for the change in position was not immediately clear, but county Solicitor Donald Frederickson said it stems from recent court decisions in the ongoing legal battle over replacing McGloin and other legal precedents officials weren’t aware of when McGloin resigned in late February. Frederickson and Democratic Commissioner Bill Gaughan said officials will lay out why they now feel a special election is appropriate and permissible at a county election board meeting Friday.

The election board made up of Gaughan, Republican Commissioner Chris Chermak and county Judge Terrence R. Nealon — who replaced McGloin in his election board capacity following the former commissioner’s resignation — will meet at 9 a.m. Members will consider two motions, one to declare a special election to fill the vacant commissioner seat and another to declare a special election to fill the elected clerk of judicial records row office that Mauri Kelly will vacate early next month, according to an online meeting agenda posted late Wednesday.

In both cases the special elections would fill the seats pursuant to a section of the county Home Rule Charter related to vacancies that reads: “A special election according to the Laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania shall be held at the next primary municipal or general election to permanently fill the vacancy.”



https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/2025/08/27/in-reversal-officials-now-considering-special-election-to-replace-mcgloin/