Erin McClelland drops out of Allegheny County executive race; Burgess not running for Pittsburgh council

Harrison resident and former congressional candidate Erin McClelland has ended her bid for Allegheny County executive.

McClelland, a contractor in Allegheny County’s Human Services Division, didn’t submit signatures to the county election division even though she was the first candidate to announce for the executive race.

She said her experience working within the county service sector motivated her run, but she is moving on from the county executive race to seek reform.

“I did this as a county employee who was tired of politicians talking about the way that things were happening, and I told that story,” McClelland said. “This problem is bigger than just one person.”

As for the future, McClelland said she didn’t have any specific plans but is still “dedicated to talking about what is happening in the county and hoping to get the legislature to work as a team with the county to solve the issues.”

McClelland ran for Congress in 2014, 2016 and 2018. She lost to former U.S. Rep. Keith Rothfus, R-Sewickley, the first two times and then dropped out in 2018 before facing former U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb, D-Mt. Lebanon, in the primary.

The race for county executive includes seven Democrats and one Republican.

Democratic candidates include Pittsburgh Public Schools board member Theresa Sciulli Colaizzi; Allegheny County Councilwoman Liv Bennett of the North Side; trial lawyer and former Allegheny County Councilman Dave Fawcett of Oakmont; state Rep. Sara Innamorato of Lawrenceville; Pittsburgh City Controller Michael Lamb; activist William Parker of Garfield; and Allegheny County Treasurer John Weinstein.

Retired PNC chief risk officer Joe Rockey was the lone Republican to file petitions.

Pittsburgh City Council

The deadline day for petition signatures also showed that Pittsburgh City Council will see some new faces come 2024.

Incumbent Councilman Ricky Burgess, D-Point Breeze, did not file petition signatures and will not be on the ballot. He was first elected to council in 2007.

Khari Mosley, political director of the advocacy group 1Hood Media and a Point Breeze resident, and Homewood resident Khadija Harris filed to run as Democrats.

Pittsburgh City Councilman Anthony Coghill, D-Beechview, submitted signatures to run for Allegheny County treasurer to replace Weinstein. Coghill will face Erica Brusselars.

Coghill is not up for reelection on council, so his district would only see a new council member if he won the treasurer race.

All five Pittsburgh City Council seats up for reelection this year have multiple challengers.

Councilman Bruce Kraus, D-South Side, announced his retirement earlier this year. His 3rd District seat is being sought by Democrats Bob Charland, Kraus’ chief of staff, and South Side resident William Reeves.

Former Pittsburgh City Councilman Corey O’Connor was appointed as Allegheny County controller last year. He is running for the controller seat this year, along with O’Hara Township Auditor Darwin Leuba. Both are Democrats.

Replacing O’Connor on council was Barb Warwick, D-Greenfield, after she won a special election. For a new term, Warwick must defend her 5th District seat this year. That race has drawn two other Democrats: Lita Brillman of Greenfield and Matt Mahoney, also of Greenfield.

In the 7th District, incumbent Pittsburgh City Councilwoman Deb Gross, D-Highland Park, is facing a challenge from Bloomfield resident Jordan Botta.

The primary election will be held on May 16.