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Pocono News Section
Washo, O'Brien Declare Victory In Lackawanna County Commissioner's Race
Washo, O'Brien Declare Victory In Lackawanna County Commissioner's Race - Wednesday, November 7, 2007 at 5:00PM EST
Reported by: Mike Trim
Wednesday, Nov 7, 2007 @05:00pm EST
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY- The hottest race in our area has been for county commissioner. Incumbent Republicans Bob Cordaro and A.J. Munchak are in the political fight of their lives against Democrats Mike Washo and Corey O'Brien.
As of 4:00 P.M., Washo and O'Brien still hold a more than 2-to-1 lead over Incumbent Republicans Bob Cordaro and A.J. Munchak. Munchak has a narrow lead over Cordaro for the last seat with 85% of the votes counted.
Election officials were processing results all night at Saint Mary's Center in Scranton. Election workers continued to feed paper ballots into optical machines making sure every vote counted. They took a several hour break early this morning before resuming the county around 9:00 A.M.
When asked why it’s taking so long, officials say the company reading the results, Premier Election Solutions, is going slowly but steadily. Director of Voter Education Cathy Hardaway said, “The company hasn't had a good explanation. We know it was going to be slow, with the length of the ballot, write in, but just getting through the machines is taking way longer."
The company brought in extra machines and extra staff to speed up the county Wednesday. But the slow returns left many key races, especially who will fill the Lackawanna County Commissioners seats, in doubt for nearly 24 hours after the polls closed. Anticipating victory, Democrats Corey O'Brien and Mike Washo addressed their supporters late last night.
O'Brien said, “A new day is dawning for Lackawanna County. It’s a beautiful day, like the song says. We're going to bring things to government that have been missing."
“I began working 29 months ago. I never stopped working. I've never looked back. I'm going to keep looking ahead," added Washo.
For the latest numbers as they come in, click on the link below.
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