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Candidates in a special election for a Lackawanna Count commissioner seat include, from left, Michael Cappellini, Chet Merli and Thom Welby. (Submitted)<\/p>\nIndependent Lackawanna County commissioner candidate Michael Cappellini is questioning the motive behind $100,000 in contributions Democratic state Sen. Marty Flynn\u2019s political committee made to Democrat Thom Welby\u2019s campaign for commissioner in Tuesday\u2019s special election.<\/p>\n
Welby \u2014 Flynn\u2019s former longtime chief of staff who won a 2021 special election to succeed him as state representative for the 113th state House District after Flynn became a state senator \u2014 disclosed the $100,000 in support from the Friends of Marty Flynn committee in campaign finance reports filed Tuesday. He and Flynn defended the support, delivered in two $50,000 tranches, pointing to their long personal and professional relationships.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf I could give Thom Welby a million dollars I would give it to him,\u201d Flynn, D-22, Dunmore, said Wednesday morning.<\/p>\n
It complemented a social media statement where Flynn said: \u201cThom Welby worked for me for 10 years and is the most qualified, responsible, honorable man I know and I would do anything that I can to get him elected Lackawanna County Commissioner!\u201d<\/p>\n
Candidates in a special election for a Lackawanna Count commissioner seat include, from left, Michael Cappellini, Chet Merli and Thom Welby. (Submitted)<\/p>\n
Cappellini, a Democrat who turned independent for the purposes of seeking the commissioner seat, targeted the large Flynn contribution in a press release Tuesday.<\/p>\n
\u201cI owe it to the people of Lackawanna County to ask a simple question: why is a State Senator who represents only around half of Lackawanna County investing $100,000 into this Commissioner seat?\u201d Cappellini asked. \u201cWhat does he expect in return? We all deserve to know what\u2019s behind this kind of outside spending and influence.\u201d<\/p>\n
The $100,000 from Flynn\u2019s committee accounts for the lion\u2019s share of $134,106.34 in total contributions and receipts Welby\u2019s committee, Friends of Thom Welby, reported as of Oct. 20.<\/p>\n
Cappellini\u2019s committee, Cappellini for Commissioner, reported $77,140 in contributions and receipts as of that date, the sum of much smaller individual donations that Cappellini juxtaposed with Flynn\u2019s considerably more substantial contribution to the Welby campaign. Republican commissioner candidate Chet Merli\u2019s committee, Friends of Chet Merli, reported contributions and receipts totaling $17,825 as of Oct. 20.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is fairly interesting to me that he would be as involved as he is,\u201d Cappellini said of Flynn. \u201cUltimately I just think it\u2019s another opportunity to look and see where the machine truly is. The machine is there. The old-guard politics are still alive and well, and I think that Lackawanna County deserves better. For me to infer anything is one thing, but arguably I would ask people to connect the dots and see exactly what\u2019s going on here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Flynn rejected the notion that he has any ulterior motive or expects anything in return from Welby.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want people I can work with,\u201d Flynn said. \u201cThat\u2019s all I want.\u201d<\/p>\n
Welby said he\u2019s never allowed himself to be influenced in that way and has never done a \u201cbackroom deal.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI question their thought process,\u201d he said of the Cappellini campaign. \u201cI guess if they got money that\u2019s what they think is normal. I do not think that that is normal. If that\u2019s the way that they feel about things then shame on them.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said in a statement that Flynn has long recognized his desire to work together with people and improve the community.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe has significant resources and I am grateful (and) thankful that he is using some of those resources to help me continue in what I am able to do for people, organizations, businesses (and) our communities,\u201d Welby said.<\/p>\n
The campaign finance reports Welby filed Tuesday were due Friday, with Cappellini questioning the missed deadline in a press release earlier Tuesday. Either the Welby campaign \u201cisn\u2019t organized enough to file timely, or they don\u2019t want you to see from whom they have accepted financial contributions,\u201d that press release said.<\/p>\n