Harrison's 3rd Ward race appears to be decided by less than 10 votes
The race for Harrison commissioner in the 3rd Ward appears to have come down to the slimmest of margins.
Incumbent Eric Bengel eked out a victory for the Democratic nomination over opponent Gary Hines, according to unofficial results from the Allegheny County Elections Department.
Bengel earned 213 votes to Hines’ 205. Results will be certified in coming weeks.
Neither returned calls seeking comment Wednesday.
There were no Republicans vying for the four-year seat.
Hines, 59, is retired from the township’s water authority and said he hoped to continue serving the community where he has lived and worked.
Bengel, 58, was elected to his first term as a commissioner four years ago and previously said he plans to work to attract new development if he wins.
The voting district runs from Springhill Road to the Freeport border and includes the Heights Plaza shopping center, which is fresh out of bankruptcy.
Other Harrison races were uncontested.
Incumbent Chuck Dizard ran unopposed in the 1st Ward, and incumbent Gary Means ran unopposed in the 5th Ward.
Tawnya Panizzi is a TribLive reporter. She joined the Trib in 1997. She can be reached at tpanizzi@triblive.com.
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