An Allegheny County Council committee voted Tuesday to recommend a bill that could allow county council members to run for other elected offices. The home rule charter currently requires councilors to resign before they run for a different position.
Allegheny County Council President Pat Catena has announced committee leaders for the council's next two-year session. All eight chairs supported Catena’s bid to become council president, and Catena said they want the council to exercise more independence from County Executive Rich Fitzgerald.
Members of Allegheny County Council re-elected Democrat Pat Catena as council president Monday. Catena faced a challenge from five-term councilor Bob Macey, also a Democrat who is considered to be an ally of Democratic County Executive Rich Fitzgerald.
An incumbent and two challengers jumped out to early leads Tuesday in the three contested races for Allegheny County Council, according to unofficial results. In council’s District 1 race, with all precincts reporting results as of midnight, Democrat Jack Betkowski of Ross had collected about 51% of the votes counted
Democrats won all three contested races for Allegheny County Council in Tuesday’s election, meaning their party has gained a new seat on the 15-member body, for a total of 13.