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On Tuesday, May 16, local voters will be participating in a variety of primary elections, voting on races including Pittsburgh mayor, city council and school board, as well as for Allegheny County council and judges.The general election will occur on Tuesday, November 7.Follow 90.5 WESA's coverage below.

Mayoral Hopeful Harris Chided For Photos On Circus Elephant

Darlene Harris
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City councilwoman and mayoral hopeful Darlene Harris riding an elephant that's part of the Shrine Circus that was at PPG Paints Arena over the weekend.

A Pittsburgh city councilwoman who's running for mayor is defending Facebook pictures of herself riding a circus elephant and a camel, saying she just wanted to "see how they're taken care of."

Democrat Darlene Harris posted a picture of herself atop the Shrine Circus elephant and another riding the camel. The circus was at PPG Paints Arena over the weekend.

Harris, who's running against Mayor Bill Peduto in the primary, rejected critics' claims that circus animals are abused, saying, "Those animals are taken care of better than some people take care of people."

Harris says council members were invited to a circus tour after Council President Bruce Kraus sponsored an ordinance to ban shows featuring trained animals. Harris opposes the measure.

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