LACKAWANNA COUNTY -- Jerry Notarianni and incumbent Patrick O'Malley will be the Democratic nominees for Lackawanna County Commissioner.
Current Democratic Commissioner Jim Wansacz conceded the race just after 10 p.m.
Wansacz and O’Brien were elected as majority commissioners in 2011 following the corruption scandal of since-incarcerated Republican commissioners Robert Cordaro and A.J. Munchak.
In February of this year, O’Brien resigned to take a job in the private sector.
Sitting Republican minority commissioner Patrick O’Malley switched parties and agreed to run with Wansacz for the Democratic nominations in May’s Primary.
Jerry Notarianni challenged two incumbents in the race for the Democratic nominations for Lackawanna County commissioner. He ended up leading the race throughout the night.
“We worked hard and we did what we thought was the right thing to do and we were successful now, but we still have another election ahead of us. It's not over,” Notarianni said.
At the Wansacz/O'Malley camp in Peckville, one incumbent had to deliver a concession speech; the other a victory speech. Pat O'Malley secured the second Democratic nomination after switching parties earlier this year. Jim Wansacz trailed in third place throughout the night.
“I've enjoyed the last three years serving as commissioner. I believe we left the county in much better shape than how we found it. And the voters have spoken though. You know, leadership, you have to make a lot of tough decisions in leadership, and we made those tough decisions and unfortunately some of those might have been unpopular," Wansacz said.
"I represent the people of Lackawanna County. I'm not representing a party. I representing the people and that's the way I've always worked. I'm concerned about the needs of everybody. Not one certain section," said O’Malley.
The two top vote getters on the Democratic ticket may not have been what folks here expected, but Commissioner O'Malley says he plans to work closely with Jerry Notarianni working towards the general election in November.
They will face off against Republican challengers William Jones and Laureen Cummings.