County Commissioner Candidates Debate at Scranton

The Lackawanna County Commissioner Debate — held Thursday, Oct. 23 — drew a nearly standing room-only crowd to The University of Scranton’s Pearn Auditorium at Brennan Hall.

Democrat Thom Welby, Republican Chet Merli and independent candidate Michael Cappellini participated in the debate organized by the University’s Center for Ethics and Excellence in Public Service (CEEPS). A Nov. 4 special election will be held as the three candidates are vying for a seat on the three-member board of commissioners.

Much like the Scranton Mayoral Debate, held one week earlier, the Lackawanna County Commissioner Debate featured University personnel playing key roles. Brian Snee, Ph.D., director of CEEPS, was the debate moderator. Grace Lennox, a political science and philosophy double major and College Democrats president from Peckville, and Philip Huffman, a political science and history double major and College Republicans president from Scranton, read the debate rules, introduced the candidates and handled timekeeping duties. Additionally, three local journalists — WBRE-TV’s Connor Coar, The Times-Tribune’s Donnie Collins and WNEP-TV’s Stacy Lange — served as panelists.

The debate was livestreamed and recorded by ECTV and carried by other media outlets.