Despite rumors that she was setting her sights on the County Executive’s office, Allegheny County Controller Chelsa Wagner will be officially launching her campaign for a second term at an event Monday night.
“I recognize that when you are running against any incumbent, that’s something that’s difficult,” Wagner said of her decision to not run for what's considered the third most powerful position in the state. “I think things can be done better in the county. It’s probably obvious by my position on some things, but at the same time I enjoy my job.”
Wagner has recently taken County Executive Rich Fitzgerald to task for his use of a county-owned car and his office’s oversight of all county-owned vehicles. She has also taken Fitzgerald to task on the management of the 9-1-1 center, transparency of county department spending and other administrative issues. Both Wagner and Fitzgerald are Democrats.
“I think there is a lot of impact that I’m able to make,” said Wagner, who thinks her current post is more impactful than her previous post as state representative. “I feel like I can get a lot more done and really influence some of the policy that goes on in the county.
If elected to a second term, Wagner said she will focus on transportation issues. Her office recently launched an audit of Pittsburgh International Airport. The final report is not expected for several months.
She also has an interest in keeping a close eye on the Port Authority of Allegheny County.
“When I look at the services that are provided by the county I think that [public transportation] is one of the most impactful and important assets that the county provides and I think we need to be a lot more forward thinking in that,” Wagner said.
Wagner is the first politician of either party to announce they are running for the County Controller’s office.
Fitzgerald announced his re-election bid last week.
