2023_Allegheny_County_Executive_election
The 2023 Allegheny County Executive election was held on November 7, 2023, to elect the next chief executive of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
| |||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
Municipality results Innamorato: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% Rockey: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% | |||||||||||||||||
|
The incumbent county executive, Rich Fitzgerald, was ineligible to run for a fourth consecutive term due to term limits.[1] The 2023 election was thus the first open seat race for county executive since Fitzgerald was elected in 2011,[2] and the winner would become the fourth individual to hold the position of county executive since it was established under the home-rule charter in 2000, following Jim Roddey, Dan Onorato, and Fitzgerald.[3]
The primary election was held on May 16.[1] State representative Sara Innamorato won the Democratic primary, while businessman Joe Rockey was unopposed in the Republican primary.[4] Innamorato's nomination was seen as a major victory for the progressive movement in Allegheny County, continuing a trend that includes the election of Ed Gainey as mayor of Pittsburgh in 2021 and Summer Lee to the U.S. House in 2022.[5] However, it was also an unexpectedly close result, with Innamorato's margin of 2.6% vastly underperforming Fitzgerald's 2019 margin of 36.5%.[6]
Candidates
Nominee
- Sara Innamorato, former state representative from the 21st district (2019–2023)[7][8]
Eliminated in primary
- Theresa Colaizzi, former Pittsburgh Public Schools board member[9]
- Dave Fawcett, lawyer and former Republican at-large county councilor (1999–2007)[7][8]
- Michael Lamb, Pittsburgh City Controller (2008–present), former Allegheny County Prothonotary (2000–2008), candidate for mayor of Pittsburgh in 2005 and 2013, and candidate for Pennsylvania Auditor General in 2020[7][1]
- Will Parker, mobile app developer and candidate for Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district in 2022[10]
- John Weinstein, Allegheny County Treasurer (1999–2024)[11]
Withdrew
Declined
- Bethany Hallam, at-large county councilor (2020–present) (running for reelection)[16]
Endorsements
- U.S. senators
- Bernie Sanders, U.S. senator from Vermont (2007–present), Democratic candidate for president of the United States in 2016 and 2020 (Independent)[17]
- U.S. representatives
- Summer Lee, U.S. representative for Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district (2023–present)[18]
- Local officials
- Ed Gainey, mayor of Pittsburgh (2022–present)[19]
- Labor unions
- Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers[20][21]
- SEIU Local 668[22]
- Service Employees International Union[23]
- United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America Local 610[21] and 667[24]
- Organizations
- Local officials
- Rich Fitzgerald, incumbent Allegheny County executive (2012–2024)[30]
- State senators
- Jim Brewster, state senator from the 45th district (2010–present)[21]
- Wayne Fontana, state senator from the 42nd district (2005–present)[21]
- State representatives
- Dan Deasy, state representative from the 27th district (2009–present)[21]
- Anita Kulik, state representative from the 45th district (2017–present)[21]
- Local officials
- Liv Bennett, county councilor from the 13th district (2020–2024) and candidate for Allegheny County executive in 2023[14]
- Theresa Kail-Smith, president of the Pittsburgh City Council (2020–present) from the 2nd district (2009–present)[21]
- Kevin Kraus, Allegheny County Sheriff (2022–present)[21]
- Organizations
- AFL-CIO Allegheny-Fayette County Labor Council[31]
- Allegheny County Democratic Committee[32]
- United Mine Workers of America[33]
Polling
Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[lower-alpha 1] |
Margin of error |
Sara Innamorato |
Michael Lamb |
John Weinstein |
Dave Fawcett |
Other | Undecided |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Public Opinion Strategies[upper-alpha 1] | Early May 2023 | 400 (LV) | ± 4.9% | 32% | 20% | 20% | 8% | – | 18% |
Public Opinion Strategies[upper-alpha 1] | Early March 2023 | 459 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 17% | 24% | 28% | 1% | 2% | 26% |
Results
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Sara Innamorato | 64,982 | 37.64% | |
Democratic | John Weinstein | 50,935 | 29.51% | |
Democratic | Michael Lamb | 34,147 | 19.78% | |
Democratic | Dave Fawcett | 16,712 | 9.68% | |
Democratic | Theresa Colaizzi | 3,663 | 2.12% | |
Democratic | Will Parker | 1,961 | 1.14% | |
Write-in | 228 | 0.13% | ||
Total votes | 172,628 | 100.0% |
Candidates
Nominee
- Joe Rockey, former PNC Financial Services executive[35]
Results
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Joe Rockey | 44,983 | 94.47% | |
Write-in | 2,634 | 5.53% | ||
Total votes | 47,617 | 100.0% |
Endorsements
- U.S. senators
- Bob Casey Jr., U.S. senator from Pennsylvania (2007–present)[37][38]
- John Fetterman, U.S. senator from Pennsylvania (2023–present)[39]
- Bernie Sanders, U.S. senator from Vermont (2007–present) (Independent)[17]
- U.S. representatives
- Summer Lee, U.S. representative for Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district (2023–present)[18]
- State officials
- Josh Shapiro, Governor of Pennsylvania (2023–present)[40]
- Local officials
- Dave Fawcett, former Republican at-large county councilor (1999–2007) and candidate for Allegheny County executive in 2023[41]
- Rich Fitzgerald, incumbent Allegheny County executive (2012–2024)[41]
- Ed Gainey, mayor of Pittsburgh (2022–present)[19]
- Michael Lamb, Pittsburgh City Controller (2008–present), former Allegheny County Prothonotary (2000–2008), and candidate for Allegheny County executive in 2023[41]
- Labor unions
- Amalgamated Transit Union Local 85[42]
- American Federation of Teachers Local 2067 at CCAC[40]
- Pennsylvania State Education Association[42]
- Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers[20][21]
- Pittsburgh Starbucks Workers United[40]
- SEIU Local 668[22]
- SEIU 32BJ[40]
- Service Employees International Union[23]
- UFCW Local 1776[40]
- UNITE HERE Local 57[40]
- United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America Eastern Region[40]
- United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America Local 610[21] and 667[24]
- Organizations
- Clean Water Action[40]
- Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania[40]
- EMILY's List[25]
- Friends of the Earth Action[26]
- Our Revolution[27]
- Sunrise Movement Pittsburgh[29]
- Working Families Party[23]
- Newspapers
- State officials
- Tom Corbett, 46th governor of Pennsylvania (2011–2015)[44]
- Labor unions
- Allegheny County Prison Employees Independent Union[45]
- Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 1 and No. 91[45]
- International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Local 2[42]
- LiUNA! Local 1058[46] and 373[46] and the Pennsylvania District Council[46]
- Plumbers Local 27[47]
- Steamfitters Local 449[42]
- Individuals
- Theresa Colaizzi, candidate for Allegheny County executive in 2023[48]
- Will Parker, candidate for Allegheny County executive in 2023
- Andrew Yang, entrepreneur, founder of Venture for America, Democratic candidate for President of the United States in 2020 and for Mayor of New York City in 2021 (Independent)[44]
- Organizations
- Newspapers
- Local officials
- John Weinstein, Allegheny County Treasurer (1999–2024) and candidate for Allegheny County executive in 2023[41]
Results
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Sara Innamorato | 188,232 | 51.21% | -16.82% | |
Republican | Joe Rockey | 178,749 | 48.63% | +17.11% | |
Write-in | 569 | 0.15% | +0.30% | ||
Total votes | 367,550 | 100.0% | |||
Democratic hold | |||||
- Partisan clients
- Delano, Jon (November 28, 2022). "City controller Michael Lamb announces candidacy for Allegheny County executive". KDKA. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
- Wolfson, Charlie (November 16, 2022). "These issues, questions, and people may define Allegheny County's next big election". Public Source. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
- "Michael Lamb running for Allegheny County Executive". WTAE. November 28, 2022. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
- Moss, Jon (May 16, 2023). "Sara Innamorato wins Democratic county executive primary with city-suburb coalition". Pittsburgh Union Progress. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
- Potter, Chris (May 16, 2023). "In win for progressives, Innamorato takes Democratic primary in Allegheny County executive race". WESA. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
- Sweitzer, Justin (December 16, 2022). "The candidates running to run Allegheny County". City & State PA. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
- Ulrich, Steve (December 15, 2022). "Innamorato, Fawcett latest to enter Allegheny County executive race". PoliticsPA. Retrieved December 19, 2022.
- Lyons, Kim (April 19, 2023). "At debate, Allegheny Co. exec candidates go deep on issues". Pennsylvania Capital-Star. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
- Smeltz, Adam (February 2, 2023). "The 2023 primary elections will test the strength of Pittsburgh-area progressives". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
- Delano, Jon (January 12, 2023). "Allegheny County treasurer John Weinstein to run for Allegheny County executive". KDKA. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
- Zenkevich, Julia (December 12, 2022). "Allegheny County council member Liv Bennett announces run for county executive". WESA. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
- Zenkevich, Julia (March 20, 2023). "Liv Bennett withdraws from county executive, county council races". WESA. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
- "Bennett, McClelland endorse Weinstein in Allegheny County executive primary". WTAE. April 24, 2023. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
- Potter, Chris (August 29, 2022). "McClelland gets early start in Allegheny County Executive race". WESA. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
- Potter, Chris (January 4, 2023). "Former mayoral aide Joanna Doven to challenge Hallam in county council race". WESA. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
- Nichols, John (May 16, 2023). "A Bernie Sanders progressive could be the next leader of one of America's largest counties". The Nation. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
- Rosenfeld, Jordana (December 15, 2022). "Sara Innamorato announces bid for county executive, calling for greater focus on inequality". Pittsburgh City Paper. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
- "State Rep. Sara Innamorato announces Allegheny County executive candidacy". WTAE. December 15, 2022. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
- Potter, Chris (April 18, 2023). "Allegheny County executive: a guide to the 2023 Democratic primary". WESA. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
- Potter, Chris (April 4, 2023). "Criminal justice reform groups back Dugan, Innamorato". WESA. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
- "Environmental Groups Endorse Candidates Fighting Fossil Fuels". Friends of the Earth Action. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
- Ulrich, Steve (April 10, 2023). "Grassroots progressive group endorses Gym, Innamorato". PoliticsPA. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
- "Fitzgerald endorses Lamb to replace him as Allegheny County executive". KDKA. April 24, 2023. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
- Potter, Chris (March 6, 2023). "Weinstein chalks up labor and party wins, even as Democrats show desire for change". WESA. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
- Lauer, Hallie; Smeltz, Adam (March 6, 2023). "A split decision by Allegheny County Democrats points to competitive primary elections ahead". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
- Smeltz, Adam (February 8, 2023). "Former PNC executive Joe Rockey is the first Republican to enter the race for Allegheny County executive". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
- Potter, Chris (October 20, 2023). "Casey urges Democrats to rally to Innamorato as Allegheny County executive race tightens". WESA. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
- Ulrich, Steve (June 26, 2023). "Fetterman Endorses Innamorato For Allegheny County Executive". PoliticsPA. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
- Ulrich, Steve (June 15, 2023). "Shapiro Endorses Innamorato For Allegheny County Executive". PoliticsPA. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
- Potter, Chris (June 12, 2023). "Local Dems pledge unity after tough primary as leaders look ahead to change". WESA. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
- Deto, Ryan (October 30, 2023). "Progressive Sara Innamorato and centrist Joe Rockey square off to become next Allegheny County executive". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
- Ulrich, Steve (September 21, 2023). "Rockey Endorsed by Forward Party For Allegheny County Executive". PoliticsPA. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
- Coleman, Lily (July 27, 2023). "Allegheny County executive race: Joe Rockey receives endorsement of three law enforcement unions". WTAE-TV. Retrieved August 9, 2023.
- Deto, Ryan (June 8, 2023). "Republican Joe Rockey picks up key labor endorsements in Allegheny County executive race". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
- Potter, Chris (October 20, 2023). "Casey urges Democrats to rally to Innamorato as Allegheny County executive race tightens". WESA. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
- Potter, Chris (October 12, 2023). "Amid controversy, Innamorato denounces local Democratic Socialists of America on Israel". WESA. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
- "Editorial: For optimism, for growth, for progress: Joe Rockey for Allegheny County Executive". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. October 15, 2023. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
- "2023 Municipal Election - County Chief Executive Official Results". Allegheny County Election Resources.
- Official campaign websites