2023 Allegheny County Executive election
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![]() ![]() Innamorato: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90% Rockey: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% Tie: 40–50% 50% No votes | |||||||||||||||||
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The 2023 Allegheny County Executive election was held on November 7, 2023, to elect the next chief executive of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
The incumbent county executive, Rich Fitzgerald, was ineligible to run for a fourth consecutive term due to term limits.[1] The 2023 election was thus the first open seat race for county executive since Fitzgerald was elected in 2011,[2] and the winner would become the fourth individual to hold the position of county executive since it was established under the home-rule charter in 2000, following Jim Roddey, Dan Onorato, and Fitzgerald.[3]
The primary election was held on May 16.[1] State representative Sara Innamorato won the Democratic primary, while businessman Joe Rockey was unopposed in the Republican primary.[4] Innamorato's nomination was seen as a major victory for the progressive movement in Allegheny County, continuing a trend that includes the election of Ed Gainey as mayor of Pittsburgh in 2021 and Summer Lee to the U.S. House in 2022.[5] However, it was also an unexpectedly close result, with Innamorato's margin of 2.6% vastly underperforming Fitzgerald's 2019 margin of 36.5%.[6]
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Sara Innamorato, former state representative from the 21st district (2019–2023)[7][8]
Eliminated in primary
- Theresa Colaizzi, former Pittsburgh Public Schools board member[9]
- Dave Fawcett, lawyer and former Republican at-large county councilor (1999–2007)[7][8]
- Michael Lamb, Pittsburgh City Controller, former Allegheny County Prothonotary (2000–2008), candidate for mayor of Pittsburgh in 2005 and 2013, and candidate for Pennsylvania Auditor General in 2020[7][1]
- Will Parker, mobile app developer and candidate for Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district in 2022[10]
- John Weinstein, Allegheny County Treasurer[11]
Withdrew
- Liv Bennett, county councilor from the 13th district[12][13] (endorsed Weinstein)[14]
- Erin McClelland, psychologist and nominee for Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district in 2014 and 2016[7][15] (endorsed Weinstein)[14]
Declined
- Bethany Hallam, at-large county councilor (running for reelection)[16]
Endorsements
- U.S. senators
- Bernie Sanders, U.S. senator from Vermont, Democratic candidate for president of the United States in 2016 and 2020 (Independent)[17]
- U.S. representatives
- Summer Lee, U.S. representative for Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district[18]
- Local officials
- Labor unions
- Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers[20][21]
- SEIU Local 668[22]
- Service Employees International Union[23]
- United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America Local 610[21] and 667[24]
- Organizations
- EMILY's List[25]
- Friends of the Earth Action[26]
- Our Revolution[27][28]
- Sunrise Movement Pittsburgh[29]
- Working Families Party[23]
- Local officials
- Rich Fitzgerald, incumbent Allegheny County executive[30]
- State senators
- Jim Brewster, state senator from the 45th district[21]
- Wayne Fontana, state senator from the 42nd district[21]
- State representatives
- Dan Deasy, state representative from the 27th district[21]
- Anita Kulik, state representative from the 45th district[21]
- Local officials
- Liv Bennett, county councilor from the 13th district and candidate for Allegheny County executive in 2023[14]
- Theresa Kail-Smith, president of the Pittsburgh City Council from the 2nd district[21]
- Kevin Kraus, Allegheny County Sheriff[21]
- Organizations
- AFL-CIO Allegheny-Fayette County Labor Council[31]
- Allegheny County Democratic Committee[32]
- United Mine Workers of America[33]
Polling
Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size[a] | Margin of error | Sara Innamorato | Michael Lamb | John Weinstein | Dave Fawcett | Other | Undecided |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Public Opinion Strategies[A] | Early May 2023 | 400 (LV) | ± 4.9% | 32% | 20% | 20% | 8% | – | 18% |
Public Opinion Strategies[A] | Early March 2023 | 459 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 17% | 24% | 28% | 1% | 2% | 26% |
Results
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Sara Innamorato | 64,982 | 37.64% | |
Democratic | John Weinstein | 50,935 | 29.51% | |
Democratic | Michael Lamb | 34,147 | 19.78% | |
Democratic | Dave Fawcett | 16,712 | 9.68% | |
Democratic | Theresa Colaizzi | 3,663 | 2.12% | |
Democratic | Will Parker | 1,961 | 1.14% | |
Write-in | 228 | 0.13% | ||
Total votes | 172,628 | 100.0% |
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Joe Rockey, former PNC Financial Services executive[35]
Results
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Joe Rockey | 44,983 | 94.47% | |
Write-in | 2,634 | 5.53% | ||
Total votes | 47,617 | 100.0% |
General election
Endorsements
- U.S. senators
- Bob Casey Jr., U.S. senator from Pennsylvania[37][38]
- John Fetterman, U.S. senator from Pennsylvania[39]
- Bernie Sanders, U.S. senator from Vermont (Independent)[17]
- U.S. representatives
- Summer Lee, U.S. representative for Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district[18]
- State officials
- Josh Shapiro, Governor of Pennsylvania[40]
- Local officials
- Dave Fawcett, former Republican at-large county councilor (1999–2007) and candidate for Allegheny County executive in 2023[41]
- Rich Fitzgerald, incumbent Allegheny County executive[41]
- Ed Gainey, mayor of Pittsburgh[19]
- Michael Lamb, Pittsburgh City Controller, former Allegheny County Prothonotary (2000–2008), and candidate for Allegheny County executive in 2023[41]
- Labor unions
- Amalgamated Transit Union Local 85[42]
- American Federation of Teachers Local 2067 at CCAC[40]
- Pennsylvania State Education Association[42]
- Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers[20][21]
- Pittsburgh Starbucks Workers United[40]
- SEIU Local 668[22]
- SEIU 32BJ[40]
- Service Employees International Union[23]
- UFCW Local 1776[40]
- UNITE HERE Local 57[40]
- United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America Eastern Region[40]
- United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America Local 610[21] and 667[24]
- Organizations
- Clean Water Action[40]
- Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania[40]
- EMILY's List[25]
- Friends of the Earth Action[26]
- Our Revolution[27]
- Sunrise Movement Pittsburgh[29]
- Working Families Party[23]
- Newspapers
- State officials
- Tom Corbett, 46th governor of Pennsylvania (2011–2015)[44]
- Labor unions
- Allegheny County Prison Employees Independent Union[45]
- Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 1 and No. 91[45]
- International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Local 2[42]
- LiUNA! Local 1058[46] and 373[46] and the Pennsylvania District Council[46]
- Plumbers Local 27[47]
- Steamfitters Local 449[42]
- Individuals
- Theresa Colaizzi, candidate for Allegheny County executive in 2023[48]
- Will Parker, candidate for Allegheny County executive in 2023
- Andrew Yang, entrepreneur, founder of Venture for America, Democratic candidate for President of the United States in 2020 and for Mayor of New York City in 2021 (Independent)[44]
- Organizations
- Forward Party[44]
- Newspapers
- Local officials
- John Weinstein, Allegheny County Treasurer[41]
Results
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Sara Innamorato | 188,232 | 51.21% | −16.82% | |
Republican | Joe Rockey | 178,749 | 48.63% | +17.11% | |
Write-in | 569 | 0.15% | +0.30% | ||
Total votes | 367,550 | 100.0% | |||
Democratic hold |
Notes
- ^ Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear
- Partisan clients
- ^ a b This poll was sponsored by Pittsburgh Works Together.
References
- ^ a b c Delano, Jon (November 28, 2022). "City controller Michael Lamb announces candidacy for Allegheny County executive". KDKA. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
- ^ Wolfson, Charlie (November 16, 2022). "These issues, questions, and people may define Allegheny County's next big election". Public Source. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
- ^ "Michael Lamb running for Allegheny County Executive". WTAE. November 28, 2022. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
- ^ Moss, Jon (May 16, 2023). "Sara Innamorato wins Democratic county executive primary with city-suburb coalition". Pittsburgh Union Progress. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
- ^ Potter, Chris (May 16, 2023). "In win for progressives, Innamorato takes Democratic primary in Allegheny County executive race". WESA. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
- ^ "Results". November 5, 2019 General Election. Allegheny County, PA. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
- ^ a b c d Sweitzer, Justin (December 16, 2022). "The candidates running to run Allegheny County". City & State PA. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
- ^ a b Ulrich, Steve (December 15, 2022). "Innamorato, Fawcett latest to enter Allegheny County executive race". PoliticsPA. Retrieved December 19, 2022.
- ^ Lyons, Kim (April 19, 2023). "At debate, Allegheny Co. exec candidates go deep on issues". Pennsylvania Capital-Star. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
- ^ Smeltz, Adam (February 2, 2023). "The 2023 primary elections will test the strength of Pittsburgh-area progressives". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
- ^ Delano, Jon (January 12, 2023). "Allegheny County treasurer John Weinstein to run for Allegheny County executive". KDKA. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
- ^ Zenkevich, Julia (December 12, 2022). "Allegheny County council member Liv Bennett announces run for county executive". WESA. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
- ^ Zenkevich, Julia (March 20, 2023). "Liv Bennett withdraws from county executive, county council races". WESA. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
- ^ a b c "Bennett, McClelland endorse Weinstein in Allegheny County executive primary". WTAE. April 24, 2023. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
- ^ Potter, Chris (August 29, 2022). "McClelland gets early start in Allegheny County Executive race". WESA. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
- ^ Potter, Chris (January 4, 2023). "Former mayoral aide Joanna Doven to challenge Hallam in county council race". WESA. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
- ^ a b Nichols, John (May 16, 2023). "A Bernie Sanders progressive could be the next leader of one of America's largest counties". The Nation. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
- ^ a b Rosenfeld, Jordana (December 15, 2022). "Sara Innamorato announces bid for county executive, calling for greater focus on inequality". Pittsburgh City Paper. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
- ^ a b "State Rep. Sara Innamorato announces Allegheny County executive candidacy". WTAE. December 15, 2022. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
- ^ a b "PFT Primary Election Slate-Export-3-21-23" (PDF).
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Potter, Chris (April 18, 2023). "Allegheny County executive: a guide to the 2023 Democratic primary". WESA. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
- ^ a b "2023 Primary Endorsed Candidates".
- ^ a b c d Potter, Chris (April 4, 2023). "Criminal justice reform groups back Dugan, Innamorato". WESA. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
- ^ a b "Second UE local in Allegheny County endorses Sara Innamorato for county executive".
- ^ a b "EMILYs List Endorses Sara Innamorato and Heather Boyd for Election in Pennsylvania".
- ^ a b "Environmental Groups Endorse Candidates Fighting Fossil Fuels". Friends of the Earth Action. May 3, 2023. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
- ^ a b "Endorsements".
- ^ Ulrich, Steve (April 10, 2023). "Grassroots progressive group endorses Gym, Innamorato". PoliticsPA. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
- ^ a b "Current Endorsements".
- ^ "Fitzgerald endorses Lamb to replace him as Allegheny County executive". KDKA. April 24, 2023. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
- ^ Potter, Chris (March 6, 2023). "Weinstein chalks up labor and party wins, even as Democrats show desire for change". WESA. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
- ^ Lauer, Hallie; Smeltz, Adam (March 6, 2023). "A split decision by Allegheny County Democrats points to competitive primary elections ahead". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
- ^ "Pennsylvania - COMPAC Endorsements".
- ^ "Dem County Chief Executive".
- ^ Smeltz, Adam (February 8, 2023). "Former PNC executive Joe Rockey is the first Republican to enter the race for Allegheny County executive". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
- ^ "Rep County Chief Executive".
- ^ "Whether in Harrisburg or back home in Pittsburgh, Sara Innamorato is a fighter for Western PA — and now she's ready to be Allegheny County's next Chief Executive. Congratulations on this historic win @Innamo, ready to work with you to build a stronger Allegheny County".
- ^ Potter, Chris (October 20, 2023). "Casey urges Democrats to rally to Innamorato as Allegheny County executive race tightens". WESA. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
- ^ Ulrich, Steve (June 26, 2023). "Fetterman Endorses Innamorato For Allegheny County Executive". PoliticsPA. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Ulrich, Steve (June 15, 2023). "Shapiro Endorses Innamorato For Allegheny County Executive". PoliticsPA. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
- ^ a b c d Potter, Chris (June 12, 2023). "Local Dems pledge unity after tough primary as leaders look ahead to change". WESA. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
- ^ a b c d Deto, Ryan (October 30, 2023). "Progressive Sara Innamorato and centrist Joe Rockey square off to become next Allegheny County executive". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
- ^ "The Courier's General Election Endorsements". November 3, 2023.
- ^ a b c Ulrich, Steve (September 21, 2023). "Rockey Endorsed by Forward Party For Allegheny County Executive". PoliticsPA. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
- ^ a b Coleman, Lily (July 27, 2023). "Allegheny County executive race: Joe Rockey receives endorsement of three law enforcement unions". WTAE-TV. Retrieved August 9, 2023.
- ^ a b c Deto, Ryan (June 8, 2023). "Republican Joe Rockey picks up key labor endorsements in Allegheny County executive race". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
- ^ Potter, Chris (October 20, 2023). "Casey urges Democrats to rally to Innamorato as Allegheny County executive race tightens". WESA. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
- ^ Potter, Chris (October 12, 2023). "Amid controversy, Innamorato denounces local Democratic Socialists of America on Israel". WESA. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
- ^ "Editorial: For optimism, for growth, for progress: Joe Rockey for Allegheny County Executive". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. October 15, 2023. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
- ^ "2023 Municipal Election - County Chief Executive Official Results". Allegheny County Election Resources.
External links
- Official campaign websites
- Sara Innamorato (D) for County Executive
- Joe Rockey (R) for County Executive