If every registered voter in Allegheny County turned out, and Republicans joined forces with independents and third-party voters, Democrats would still win by nearly 90,000 votes.
But the county’s GOP committee chairman told TribLive the party is feeling momentum heading into Tuesday’s election and hopes to pick up at least three seats on Allegheny County Council.
“We feel really good. This is the first time that the Republicans are running someone for every county council spot,” said Jason Richey.
Although the simple math doesn’t favor Republicans, Richey said he thinks the GOP will pick up voters reacting to the 36% tax hike the 15-member board approved last year.
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“We can be a backstop to that,” Richey said of future tax hikes.
Sam Hens-Greco, chair of the county’s Democratic Party committee, did not return messages seeking comment.
Democrats have a 13-2 majority on the board, but three incumbent Democrats aren’t seeking another term: Jack Bertkowski (District 1, Airport/Ohio Valley), Anita Prizio (District 3, North Hills/Allegheny Valley) and Robert Macey (District 9, East suburbs).
Republican Mike Embrescia of Mt. Lebanon is an incumbent at-large representative who was appointed this year to replace Sam DeMarco, who resigned to work for U.S. Sen. David McCormick. He is facing a challenge from Alex Rose, listed as a Labor candidate on the ballot. Rose lives in Pittsburgh’s Arlington neighborhood and is endorsed by several Democratic leaders.
The winner will join Democrat Bethany Hallam, Brighton Heights, as the at-large members of the council not tied to a geographical districts. Hallam’s term runs through 2027.
The other council members not up for election are: Suzanne Filiaggi, R-District 2 (North Hills), Dan Grzybek, D-District 5 (South Hills), John Palmiere, D-District 6 (South Hills), Nick Futules, D-District 7 (Allegheny Valley), DeWitt Walton, D-District 10 (Pittsburgh) and Paul Klein, D-District 11 (Pittsburgh).
Here’s the way the contested races break down by district:
District 1
(Airport area/Ohio Valley)
Kathleen Madonna-Emmerling, D, faces Mary Jo Wise, R. Both candidates live in Moon.
District 3
(North Hills)
Lissa Geiger Shulman, D-Allison Park, faces W. Christopher Lochner, R-Hampton.
District 4
(West suburbs)
Incumbent Patrict Catena, D-Carnegie, faces Bob Doddato, R-North Fayette.
District 8
(East suburbs)
Incumbent Michelle Naccarati-Chapkis, D, faces Michael Dell, R. Both candidates live in Plum.
District 9
(East suburbs)
Aaron Adams, D-Duquesne, faces Patrick Provins, R-Elizabeth, in a contest to replace Macey.
District 12
(West Side/South Hills)
Incumbent Robert Palmosina, D-Banksville, faces Leonard Iorio, R-Heidelburg.
District 13
(North Side, Central Pittsburgh)
Incumbent Jordan Batta, D-Bloomfield, faces Todd McCollum, R-Perry North.
The results of the election may reveal surprises, but don’t expect things to change much on county council, longtime political pundit Joe DiSarro told TribLive.
A former Pennsylvania GOP committeeman, DiSarro is a political science professor at Washington & Jefferson College.
Despite the Democratic majority, it is rare for the board to achieve a consensus.
“It’s going to be a long, long way before they get leadership that can keep the factions together,” DiSarro said. “The interests are varied and I don’t foresee change anytime soon.”
Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday.
