Chief Executive: Sara Innamorato
Democrat Sara Innamorato won against Republican Joe Rockey to become one of the most powerful officials in Pennsylvania — and both the youngest and the first woman to hold the post.
- County Executive controls an annual $3 billion spending budget, has a seat on the county elections board, and has the power to appoint officials to important decision-making roles.
- Innamorato previously served as a state representative, vice chair of the Allegheny County Housing Authority, and treasurer of the Urban Redevelopment Authority.
District Attorney: Stephen Zappala
In an unconventional path to victory, longtime incumbent Stephen Zappala (who has historically been a registered Democrat) won as a Republican in a rematch against Democrat and former public defender Matt Dugan. Zappala has been the DA since 1998, and this will be his seventh term in the county’s top law enforcement position. Zappala calls himself a “law-and-order Democrat” who is tough on crime.
County Controller: Corey O'Connor
Democrat Corey O’Connor, who has been serving as controller for more than a year, made his role official with a win against Republican Bob Howard. Controller oversees county employees and their pay, ensures compliance with labor laws, and sits on county retirement and investments boards, as well as the Jail Oversight Board.
- O’Connor will also have a seat on an advisory board that previously supervised the county’s juvenile detention center, which closed but is expected to reopen this winter.
County Treasurer: Erica Rocchi Brusselars
Democrat Erica Rocchi Brusselars won against Republican Herb Ohliger for the role that is in charge of billions of dollars a year — taking over for outgoing incumbent John Weinstein, who held the role for nearly a quarter-century. Treasurer collects revenue from taxes and spends and invests it on the county’s behalf, as well as manages pension funds for county workers.
Democrat Sara Inamorato delivers her victory speech after winning the race for Allegheny County Executive. (Photo by Stephanie Strasburg/PublicSource via @chwolfson)
County Council
- District 2: Republican Suzanne Filiaggi
- District 5: Democrat Dan Grzybek
- District 6: Democrat John Palmiere
- District 7: Democrat Nick Futules
- District 10: Democrat DeWitt Walton
- District 11: Democrat Paul Klein
- District 13: Democrat David Bonaroti
- At-Large: Democrat Bethany Hallam
❓Ballot question
How should county council members be paid? Allegheny County residents voted “yes” for members to receive a salary of $10,939 rather than a per-meeting stipend.
Political campaign signs line the walkway into Morrow PreK-8 School, a polling place in Pittsburgh’s Brighton Heights neighborhood. (Francesca Dabecco / City Cast Pittsburgh)
🗳️ State Judicial Races
Supreme Court Judge: Dan McCaffery
Democrat and Superior Court Judge Dan McCaffery won against Republican Carolyn Carluccio, giving the court a 5-2 Democratic majority. McCaffery fills the seat of Justice Max Baer, a Democrat, who died in 2022. The State Supreme Court is the highest court in the commonwealth and makes decisions that affect health care, like abortion access, and elections.
- While the race doesn’t change the court majority, it is critical because of the upcoming 2024 presidential election and anticipated court challenges.
Superior Court: Jill Beck and Timika Lane
Democrats Jill Beck and Timika Lane won against Republicans Maria Battista and Harry Smail for the commonwealth’s intermediate appellate court seats, which can affirm or reverse decisions made in lower courts. Their rulings can be appealed to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
Commonwealth Court: Matt Wolf
Democrat Matt Wolf won against Republican Megan Martin for a seat that could “shape Pennsylvania’s laws on everything from elections to firearms.” The court usually handles administrative and civil court law, like when a case involves a government agency.
❓Ballot Question
The questions at the end of your ballot asked if state judges should be retained for an additional term, and all of the Superior Court and Common Pleas judges were confirmed for another 10 years.
