In Pennsylvania, general elections are held in November. It is done by law, as the Tuesday after the first Monday of the month is named in the U.S. constitution for federal elections and it seemed to make sense to keep it there for the other years.

The timing of elections also sets up an opportunity for transitions. If a new person takes office, they have almost two months to prepare for the job, including hiring staff, if necessary. If an incumbent is leaving, they have that time to not just pack up but also to help both the newly elected office holder and the existing staff make the adjustment.

Sometimes this means a career-long changeover. Sometimes it is even generational.

In Pittsburgh, Bill Peduto is preparing to leave the mayor’s office after two terms, clearing the way for Ed Gainey to take the reins. Gainey defeated Peduto in the Democratic primary and walked to an easy win in the general election. Peduto has been a fixture in city government for decades, first as chief of staff for former Councilman Dan Cohen and then replacing Cohen on council for three terms.

In Greensburg, Democrat John Peck is saying goodbye to the one office he has held since 1994 — Westmoreland County district attorney. Before that, he was an assistant DA and an assistant public defender.

While his Republican successor Nicole Ziccarelli has criticized him, saying he was not helping with her transition, Peck has stayed on the job, scheduling court appearances to the very end of his term.

“I am a steward of the District Attorney’s Office, and I am consumed to finish the job before I leave office,” Peck said.

He follows a family tradition of service. His father was sheriff for more than a decade. His sister is a district judge in Lower Burrell. But another departure will change generations of service, too.

Democrat Ken Bacha is the fourth of five generations of funeral directors, but he is also the second to serve as Westmoreland County coroner. Between him and his father, Leo, his family has held that office for more than 40 years. In 2022, he will hand it over to Republican Tim Carson.

“It’s all the relationships we built that I’m sad to see go away. What we built between us — law enforcement, EMS, fire departments and funeral directors — I’d like to see that continue,” Bacha said. “It was disappointing, but it was never about a dynasty.”

Gainey, Ziccarelli and Carson now have to accept the challenge laid down by the departures. Regardless of ideology or politics, those leaving office have cast long shadows and leave big shoes. Those stepping into them have an obligation to do their best to live up to that challenge.

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