Lackawanna group endorses Corcoran for retiring Sen. Robert J. Mellow.

With a crowded, high-profile field to choose from, Lackawanna County Democrats on Monday endorsed former county Commissioner Joseph Corcoran as their candidate to replace retiring state Sen. Robert J. Mellow.

Mr. Corcoran, 59, said the backing of the county Democratic Committee means he is officially in the race. He said he likely would not have run if he did not win the endorsement.

“It helps to get you energized, it really does,” said Mr. Corcoran, who was commissioner for five consecutive terms ending in 2004.

The committee picked him over other well-known officials vying for Mr. Mellow’s seat, including Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty, state Rep. Jim Wansacz, and former Executive Deputy Secretary John Blake of the state Department of Economic and Community Development.

The committee met at the Scranton Cultural Center to endorse candidates in other races in the May primary:

- For governor, state Auditor General Jack Wagner.

- For U.S. Senate, incumbent Arlen Specter.

- For U.S. House, incumbents Chris Carney in the 10th congressional district and Paul Kanjorski in the 11th.

- And for state House, incumbents Ken Smith in the 112th district, Kevin Murphy in the 113th, Ed Staback in the 115th, and former Carbondale Mayor John Moran in the 114th.

Committee Chairman Harry McGrath said Mr. Corcoran was endorsed for his “proven track record.”

Mr. Mellow announced last month he would retire after 40 years in office, and his seat has attracted a who’s who of local Democrats. Also running are Scranton School Director Chris Phillips, one-time gubernatorial candidate Charles Volpe, and former Scranton Council President Gary DiBileo.

Mr. Smith, of Dunmore, said “it’s always nice to know you have the confidence of your fellow party.”

Mr. Wansacz said he was hoping for an open primary without an endorsement for Mr. Mellow’s seat, given the field.

A spokesman for Mr. Doherty, Mark Nevins, downplayed the committee’s influence and called the endorsements an “insider’s game.”

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