Mahoney won't appear on May primary ballot for Pittsburgh City Council race

A candidate who planned to run as a Democrat for Pittsburgh City Council’s District 5 seat will not appear on the May primary ballot.

Matthew Mahoney, 38, of Greenfield, said a review of nominating petitions he filed revealed 12 “defective signatures,” disqualifying him from getting on the primary ballot.

Candidates needed to get at least 100 signatures. Mahoney was left with 98 signatures after officials ruled the 12 would not count.

Mahoney said he hopes to run as an independent against the Democratic nominee in the November general election, but he said he was uncertain if he would be eligible because of the signature issue.

“I’m completely new at every point in this process,” he said, adding that he felt the system “squeezed him out.”

Mahoney had launched his campaign with promises to focus on community engagement and involving young people in conversations about major issues such as violence.

He had previously launched a campaign as an independent in a special election last year.

His exit from the upcoming primary race leaves incumbent Barb Warwick, D-Greenfield, and newcomer Lita Brillman on the May ballot.

Warwick, who joined City Council in December, filled a seat vacated by Corey O’Connor, who now serves as county controller. Warwick is now looking to secure a full term.

In her brief time in office, Warwick said she is proud to have moved $1.4 million in funding initially designated for the scrapped Mon-Oakland connector project to fund renovations at the Burgwin Renovation Center and build a new playground in Lincoln Place.

Brillman, a graduate student at the University of Pittsburgh, said that if elected she would focus on environmental and labor issues, as well as homelessness and social services.

The district includes the neighborhoods of Glen Hazel, Greenfield, Hays, Hazelwood, Lincoln Place, New Homestead, Regent Square, Squirrel Hill South and Swisshelm Park.