Editorial: In Allegheny County, party politics is more complicated than it seems
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It might seem like politics is utterly binary. It is black and white — or more aptly, Democratic blue and Republican red.
The increasingly ugly and polarized divides at every level of government bear that out. People bracing themselves for uncomfortable conversations with relatives on Thanksgiving is another measure.
But it also isn’t that simple. Are people divided? Yes. Is it all about party? Maybe not.
Allegheny County is a good gauge of that, especially after this year’s county elections.
Let’s start with county executive. Rich Fitzgerald is leaving office after reaching the end of his legally limited third term, which left the seat open for a new face for the first time in 12 years.
It seemed likely that the office would go to a Democrat. Fitzgerald is only the third executive since the position was created. He is, however, the second consecutive Democrat. His predecessor, Dan Onorato, served two terms. The first executive, Jim Roddey, was the only Republican. He served one four-year term.
It often feels like Pittsburgh-centric elections are decided in the primary more than the November general election. That’s what happened when Bill Peduto lost the mayoral race to Ed Gainey in 2021.
So when Sara Innamorato emerged from the primary as the Democratic nominee, people could be forgiven for believing it would be a walk to the finish. But Republican Joe Rockey came very close. In a county that is about two-thirds Democrat, Innamorato won by a hair-thin 2% margin.
Then there is the battle for district attorney. Once again, it looked like it was called in May when incumbent Stephen A. Zappala Jr. seemed to be denied his seventh term by fellow Democrat Matt Dugan. But write-in votes on the Republican side kept Zappala on the November ballot and made the difference. Zappala hung on this month by 3% of the vote.
Both races show Pennsylvania politics is not as simple as it might seem. It’s a complicated tangle that goes far deeper than party and can be harder to predict than expected.
That’s a good lesson for candidates in the upcoming presidential year, with its long list of down-ballot legislative races. It’s an even better reminder for voters that showing up really does make a difference.