4 Democrats enter Allegheny County Council races

Four candidates already have come forward to declare runs for Allegheny County Council.

Two of the candidates will be challenging incumbent Democrats, while the other two are facing off against one another in the South Hills.

The results of these races could shift power on county council, which has seen a jolt of progressivism and contention over the years.

In the 13th District, tech executive David Bonaroti is challenging incumbent Councilwoman Olivia Bennett, D-North Side, in the Democratic primary. The 13th District includes Bellevue, as well as the Pittsburgh neighborhoods of Garfield, Lawrenceville, Morningside, North Side, South Side, Stanton Heights and the Strip District.

Bonaroti grew up in Oakmont and now lives in Lawrenceville, where he works as a consultant for tech companies. He is a graduate of Central Catholic High School and earned an MBA from Penn State University. Bonaroti said he became interested in politics after interning for former state House Minority Leader Frank Dermody.

He said his campaign is focused on improving county services, saving tax dollars and raising the overall standard of living in Allegheny County.

“I will fight to reduce government costs by implementing technical solutions that improve the efficiency, reliability, accessibility and transparency of our county services,” said Bonaroti in a news release. “Our current systems are bloated and antiquated. I think we can do better.”

Bonaroti is challenging Bennett, who is running for Allegheny County Executive as well as her 13th District seat.

Another challenger to a sitting incumbent is public relations specialist Joanna Doven, who is running for the at-large seat held by Councilwoman Bethany Hallam, D-North Side. This race is countywide.

Doven, of Squirrel Hill, previously worked as spokeswoman for former Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and has several public relations clients across the Pittsburgh region, including developers Walnut Capital and medical-marijuana provider PurePenn.

She said her experience as a single mother of three would be valuable on county council. Her campaign will focus on improving county services and parks, as well as “restoring election integrity and civility to local government.”

“I’m running because I’ve experienced the challenges of raising kids in an economy that feels like it’s not built for working families,” Doven said. “I will advocate tirelessly to ensure everyone feels like they can play a part in the Pittsburgh economy and create a better life for their children as I have.”

The 5th District seat is being vacated by incumbent Tom Duerr, D-Bethel Park. The district — which includes Bethel Park, Dormont, Mt. Lebanon and Upper St. Clair — has garnered two Democratic candidates so far.

Lawyer and former congressional candidate Chris Rieger of Dormont is running on boosting public services like public transportation, increasing enforcement on industrial polluters and constituent engagement.

Chemical engineer and Bethel Park School Board member Dan Grzybek is focusing his campaign on accountability for violations at Allegheny County Jail and says the county should increase funding to the Community College of Alleghen County. Like Rieger, he also believes the county can crack down more on industrial polluters and improve the region’s air quality.

These early entrants, all Democrats, agree on most issues — like increasing affordable housing and fighting for a higher minimum wage — but differences lie among their alliances.

Allegheny County Council is controlled by Democrats, but there are slight fractures within the party. Progressives like Hallam and Bennett have moved the body to the left on several issues and have been successful in enacting some legislation, like a fracking ban at county-operated parks, even though County Executive Rich Fitzgerald disapproved.

Other Democrats on council, such as Duerr and Councilman DeWitt Walton, agree with progressives on many issues, but tend to support Fitzgerald’s agenda and disagree with the tactics and contention sometimes used by progressives on council.

Grzybek is supported by Hallam, who is trying to increase the number of progressive members on council, in addition to defending her own seat.

Rieger is supported by Duerr, who has often feuded with Hallam over priorities and decorum.

Both Doven and Bonaroti subtly criticized Hallam and Bennett in their campaign announcements, signaling they could align differently than the two progressives.

All candidates will have to contend with an already crowded race for county executive. Fitzgerald, the incumbent, is term-limited and will leave office at the end of this year. Progressives have aligned early behind state Rep. Sara Innamorato, D-Lawrenceville, who is facing challenges from Bennett, trial lawyer and former Allegheny County Councilman Dave Fawcett, Pittsburgh Controller Michael Lamb and former Congressional candidate Erin McClelland.

The primary is scheduled for May 16.