PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Democrat Sara Innamorato was elected Allegheny County executive, the AP projected Tuesday.
Innamorato, 37, and Republican Joe Rockey were running to replace current Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, who is term limited after 12 years in office. Fitzgerald is a Democrat.
At her election headquarters in Millvale at Mr Smalls, Innamorato took the stage on Tuesday around 10:50 p.m. and thanked her supporters. Innamorato will become the first woman to hold this position.
“I know that as a member of Congress, with Senators (John) Fetterman and (Bob) Casey and Congressman Chris DeLuzio, we can bring this federal money back here to Allegheny County,” said Innamorato.
Rockey said he called Innamorato Tuesday night to concede. He added that he congratulated her.
“I wish him and Allegheny County the best as we move forward,” Rockey said from his campaign headquarters at Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh. “We congratulated her on a well-run campaign, but that in no way diminishes the campaign we ran. I’m very proud of what we did.”
Rockey needed Democrats to vote for him and more Republicans to vote than usual. In a county where Democrats outnumber Republicans two to one, Innamorato needed to keep most Democrats with her to win.
Throughout his campaign, Rockey, a former businessman and moderate Republican, has focused on what he considers the three major issues facing Allegheny County: public safety, jobs and property taxes.
Former State Rep. Innamorato’s major initiatives included fighting for marginalized people, creating a safer community by reducing blight, and creating high-quality, stable housing for all.