UPDATED: County Executive Candidate Raja Campaigns in Pine, Richland Townships

This story has been updated to include information from Raja’s campaign manager.

County executive candidate Raja visited a Republican stronghold in Allegheny County on Saturday -- Pine and Richland townships – and heard voters say jobs and the economy are their biggest concerns.

Raja and campaign volunteers knocked on about 500 to 600 doors, his campaign manager said.

"Raja and volunteers went door to door in Pine and Richland on Saturday to meet voters. This campaign has been about having a dialogue with voters from the beginning,” Campaign Manager James Genovese said in an email.

“That's why we engaged in town hall meetings throughout the county and why we continue to go door to door to ask people for their feedback and for their vote," said Genovese, who noted that jobs and the economy were foremost on voters' minds.

Richard Herko, the chair of the Pine Committee of the Republican Committee of Allegheny County, said in an email that Raja visited Pine in the afternoon and went door-to-door through Rabold Fields residential plan and neighboring streets, such as Franklin and Pinkerton roads.

"He started by talking with my daughter [Annika] and then personally visited about 100 homes. His message was that he needs everyone to turn out and vote and he answered questions about his chances in the race and his positions," said Herko, who also serves as a director on the Pine-Richland School Board. 

"One little boy even invited [Raja] to stay for his birthday-pool party," said Herko. 

Volunteers from Pine, Mt. Lebanon, Grove City and the University of Pittsburgh assisted in canvassing Pine District 1 in the northwest corner of the township, which has traditionally had a low voter turnout, Herko said.

On Saturday morning, Raja posted his plans on his Facebook page: "Out going door to door in Richland and Pine. Then off to Pittsburgh followed by Munhall. Busy day of campaigning."