Innamoroto Declares Victory In Allegheny Co. Executive Primary

PITTSBURGH, PA — Sara Innamorato emerged from a contentious campaign involving a half-dozen candidates to declare victory Tuesday in the Democratic Allegheny County Executive primary.

Innamoroto, a state representative who represents portions of Pittsburgh and several of its northern suburbs will face Joe Rockey in the November general election for the executive position. Rockey, a former PNC Financial Services executive, was unopposed for the Republican nomination.

Flanked by Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey and U.S. Rep. Summer Lee of Pittsburgh, both of whom had endorsed her, Innamoroto told a cheering crowd of supporters at Trace Brewing in Bloomfield, "I am honored to accept the Democratic nomination for Allegheny County Executive."

With 97.8 percent of county precincts reporting, the vote total was:

• Innamoroto: 63,688

• County Treasurer John Weinstein: 50,074

• Pittsburgh City Controller Michael Lamb: 33,603

• Attorney and former County Councilman Dave Fawcett: 16,433

• Former Pittsburgh Public Schools board member Theresa Colaizzi: 3,565

• Mobile app developer Will Parker: 1,905

All results are unofficial until verified by the county elections board.

Weinstein and Lamb both conceded Tuesday evening. Both didn't run for reelection to their current offices to pursue the executive position.

Innamoroto, 37, of Lawrenceville, is vying to succeed county Executive Rich Fitzgerald, who is term-limited and will leave office after 12 years in December. If she defeats Rockey,she will be the first female county executive; the county switched to an executive-council form of government in 2000.

Fitzgerald had endorsed Lamb to be his successor.

In addition to having the backing of Gainey and Lee, Innamorato was backed by the Service Employees International Union, the Pennsylvania Working Families Party and Emily's List, a political action committee that aids Democratic female candidates who favor abortion rights.

Innamorato currently serves as vice chair of the county's legislative delegation and is a member of the House finance, labor and industry and urban affairs committees and is on the boards of the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh and the Allegheny County Housing Authority.