Victor in Tarentum mayor's race still unclear

Tarentum mayoral candidates Carrie Fox and Bob Lang still were waiting midday Wednesday for Allegheny County to declare a winner in the borough’s top race, more than 18 hours after the polls closed.

“I haven’t heard a word,” said Lang, who ran as a Republican candidate after securing a write-in nomination in the May primary. “It was a long day yesterday and we’re anxious to see what’s going on.”

Representatives from the county Elections Bureau said the department has 30 days to process votes. The delay could be a matter of sorting through write-in votes, officials said.

With 80% of the precincts reporting by 10 p.m. Tuesday, Lang held a lead over Fox with 309 votes to 273.

“Win or lose, I’ve had an overwhelming amount of support,” Fox said. “People in this borough really care, and I can’t tell you what that means.”

Fox is a borough councilwoman and president of the borough’s recreation committee.

Lang is a retired borough police officer.

“I will be a mayor that is more visible and available 24/7 to Tarentum,” Fox said during her campaign.

Lang, who worked in the police department for 24 years, said he misses public service.

“When I retired, the need to serve didn’t go away,” he said.

The mayor’s office is held by Adam Blythe, who resigned his council seat in October to serve a short-term stint as mayor until after the election decided the next officeholder.

Blythe ran unopposed for his council position and is expected to return to that seat this month.