Runco Bounced Off the Ballot — Vows a Write-In Revolt

The already-chaotic special election for Lackawanna County commissioner just got messier.

Independent candidate Ryan Runco, 42, of Olyphant, dropped out of the Nov. 4 ballot Monday after his petitions were subject to a court challenge. But he’s not done yet — Runco says he’s taking his fight to the people with a write-in campaign.

Runco, a county maintenance worker and owner of Runco Elite Academy in Jessup, blasted “sky-high taxes, a rushed reassessment, and political in-fighting” in a fiery Facebook post. “I have no choice but to withdraw from the race,” he wrote. “With that being said, I can’t give up on the amazing people and employees of Lackawanna County … Together, we can still have our voices heard.”

His retreat comes after attorney Timothy Kelly, representing Breeda Holmes of Dunmore and Renée Pilch of Moosic, filed a petition last week ripping apart his paperwork. The challengers claimed more than 70 faulty signatures: dozens from unregistered voters, some from out-of-county residents, others missing critical info, and even duplicates. They also accused Runco of falsely signing that he circulated all 26 petition sheets himself.

Rather than fight it out, Runco folded. “I have no choice,” he told supporters.

That leaves three names officially on the ballot: Democrat Thom Welby, 76, of Scranton, a former state representative; Republican Chet Merli, 70, of Blakely, a utility executive and planning commission member; and Independent Michael Cappellini, 36, of Jessup, the cigar brand ambassador.

Runco’s stumble isn’t the only petition debacle this election season. Scranton City Council President Gerald Smurl also had to bow out of the Democratic primary after admitting his campaign “got a bit overzealous” and botched signatures on his paperwork. Smurl said it wasn’t right to let the mistake slide — but his withdrawal further scrambled an already fluid council race.

The seat Runco wanted opened when Matt McGloin resigned in late February, and since then it’s been nothing but lawsuits, appeals, and political brawling. The Democratic Committee is still trying to block the commissioner election entirely, even as judges attempt to sort out who — if anyone — has the legal right to fill the vacancy.

Runco’s gamble is that voters disgusted by the whole circus will take the time to scribble his name at the ballot box. Whether that’s a long shot or a protest movement in the making remains to be seen.

For now, one thing’s clear: the November election just lost a candidate on paper — but gained a wild-card write-in.