Local Republicans have contested almost every race in the city of Pittsburgh this year, and they have also fielded a candidate in the race for Allegheny County sheriff.
According to election petitions filed by a 5 p.m. deadline Tuesday, Brian Weismantle of Pittsburgh has filed to be the Republican nominee for sheriff, potentially setting up a November race against incumbent Kevin Kraus, who is uncontested on the Democratic ballot.
The only other countywide race this year — for the Republican at-large seat on Allegheny County Council — appears to be uncontested. Mike Embrescia, who party leaders selected to temporarily fill the vacancy left behind by the departure of Sam DeMarco, was the only candidate to file for the seat and finish out the final two years of DeMarco's term.
The field for mayor of Pittsburgh remains unchanged, with incumbent Ed Gainey facing a challenge from Allegheny County Controller Corey O’Connor on the Democratic ballot. Republican voters in the city will be able to choose from retired police officer Tony Moreno and retailer Thomas West.
While Pittsburgh is a Democratic bastion, city voters could also see competitive down-ballot races this fall. Republican Erin Koper filed petitions in City Council District 2, positioning her to challenge the Democratic winner of a three-way race to replace outgoing Councilor Theresa Kail-Smith. Kim Salinetro, an aide to Kail-Smith, faces David Binkoski and Amanda Neatrour in the Democratic primary.
The only other competitive Democratic City Council contest this spring will be in District 4, where incumbent Anthony Coghill faces a challenge from Brian Naughton. Republican Tracy Larger also filed petitions in that South Hills district, setting up a contest in November as well.
Incumbents Daniel Lavelle and Erika Strassburger, in council Districts 6 and 8, are unopposed this spring, but Republican Jacob Dumont in District 6 has filed petitions to challenge in District 6 this fall.
A handful of County Council races are also up for grabs, thanks to the departure of incumbents.
Jack Betkowski’s decision not to seek re-election in County Council District 1 leaves Democrats Kathleen Madonna-Emmerling of Coraopolis and Carl Villella of Moon fighting for the western suburban seat: Moon Township Republican Mary Jo Wise will seek to take on the winner this fall.
In County Council district 4, incumbent and council President Pat Catena faces no Democratic challenger, but Republican Bob Doddato has filed to compete this fall.
The District 3 County Council seat currently held by Anita Prizio also figures to be competitive in both the spring and fall. Kenneth Aquilline of Sharpsburg and Lissa Geiger Shulman of Allison Park both filed to compete in the Democratic primary: W. Christopher Lochner of Gibsonia is the lone Republican to express an interest.
The most competitive district this spring figures to be the Mon Valley seat held by outgoing councilor Bob Macey. Four Democrats filed papers in District 9: Aaron Adams of Duquesne, Dylan Altemara of Elizabeth, Daniel Davis of West Mifflin, and Kellianne Frketic of Elizabeth.
No Republican candidate filed papers for that race.
District 8 incumbent Michelle Naccarati-Chapkis and District 12 incumbent Bob Palmosina, both Democrats, appear to be uncontested on the spring ballot; Naccarati-Chapkis seems poised to face Michael Dell this fall.
Four of the five city school board races on this year’s ballot figure to be competitive. Carlos Thomas and Tawana Cook Purnell filed papers to square off in the District 1 seat long held by Sylvia Wilson, while Erikka Grayson and Tonya Fores are both seeking retiring incumbent Sala Udin’s District 3 seat. The District 7 seat held by departing director Jamie Piotrowski is being sought by both Mahdi Bey and Eva Diodati. Incumbent Gene Walker faces two rivals in District 9: Lauren Stuparitz and Allison Petonic.
District 5 incumbent Tracey Reed drew no opposition.
The field of candidates is subject to change. Write-in efforts can add names to the field: In previous years, Republicans in particular have used that approach to place candidates on the fall ballot without filing papers in the spring — though they appear to be relying on that tactic less this year.
Names can also be stricken from the ballot if the candidates choose to withdraw or rivals successfully file legal challenges alleging deficiencies in their petitions. Opponents have until March 18 to file objections to do so.
There are also eight spots for the county’s Common Pleas Court on the ballot this year, which appear to have drawn 22 hopefuls who filed petitions as of Tuesday. The candidates are listed with their home municipality and party affiliation below. (Candidates for judge are permitted to "cross file" as Democrats and Republicans, and the six who did so are noted with both labels. No candidates appear to have filed solely as Republicans.)
Simquita Bridges, Sewickley, Democrat
Julie Capone, O’Hara, Democrat/Republican
Alyssa Cowan, Hampton, Democrat/Republican
Anthony Deluca, Mt. Lebanon, Democrat
Amanda Green Hawkins, Pittsburgh, Democrat
Jaime Hickton, Whitehall, Democrat
Elizabeth Hughes, Churchill, Democrat
Lauren Leiggi, Pittsburgh, Democrat
Amy Mathieu, Pittsburgh, Democrat
Daniel Miller, Mt. Lebanon, Democrat/Republican
Bryan Neft, Mt. Lebanon, Democrat
Jacqulyn Obara, Elizabeth, Democrat/Republican
Carmen Robinson, Pittsburgh, Democrat
Matthew Rudzki, Sharpsburg, Democrat
Michele Santicola, Moon, Democrat/Republican
Heather Schmidt Bresnahan, Dormont, Democrat
Craig Stephens, Scott, Democrat
Michael Sullivan, Mt. Lebanon, Democrat
Sarra Terry, Ross, Democrat/Republican
Dennis Very, McCandless, Democrat
Hilary Wheatley, Mt. Lebanon, Democrat
Ilan Zur, Pittsburgh, Democrat
