By Christina Gongaware, Contributing Writer

Despite the snowy weather conditions, roughly 76 percent of the 2,465-member Allegheny County Democratic committee turned out to vote yesterday to endorse candidates. Their votes snubbed sitting City Council members and turned out to be a nailbiter for county executive candidates Rich Fitzgerald and Mark Patrick Flaherty.

Former Allegheny County Council President Rich Fitzgerald garnered the endorsement by a five-vote margin over County Controller Mark Patrick Flaherty, and the announcement elicited gasps from the crowd.

The final vote was 923 to 918. That’s a 0.27% margin of victory, for those of you keeping score.

Fitzgerald pointed to his endless campaigning as one of the reasons for his success.
“Two weeks ago, I was probably down 500 votes,” he said.

He also said that his promises to halt property tax increases resonated with voters.

Flaherty, who has acted as controller since 2004, promised to “take the election directly to the county voters,” and declared the vote a “virtual tie.”

State Representative Chelsea Wagner defeated casino executive (former Duquesne mayor and Allegheny Clerk of Courts) George Matta, as well as former City Councilwoman Valeria McDonald Roberts. The final vote was 755-672-411, respectively.

All four sitting City Council members lost their bids for endorsements. For the City Council District 1 seat, Vince Pallus defeated Darlene Harris 50-29. In District 3, Bruce Kraus lost his endorsement to Jeff Koch, 38-33. PoliticsPA Top 30 under 30 Politico Corey O’Connor beat out Chris Zurawsky, 63-25 in District 5. Anthony Ceoffee won the District 7 endorsement with a vote of 53-32. Phillys Copeland-Mitchell beat out Ricky Burgess in District 9 with a vote of 43-38.

Hugh McGough also won the district judge endorsement against Councilman Doug Shields. The vote was 63-37.

County party Chairman Jim Burn said that the turnout yesterday was the highest in five years.