On September 7, 2022, the 14th, 15th and 31st Wards Hosted a Forum for each of the candidates seeking the Democratic Party nomination. Committee members from the 5th Council District were invited to attend the forum at Greenfield School on Wednesday evening.
The former 5th Council District Councilman Corey O’Connor resigned from his seat earlier this year in July. The Pittsburgh Home Rule Charter dictates the process by which the vacancy is filled, and the and Allegheny County Democratic Committee Bylaws dictate how a Democratic Party nominee is selected. Four candidates submitted a letter of intention and $500 filing fee to the County Democratic Committee by September 6, 2022 to be considered for the nomination.
The candidates are (in alphabetical order): Kristi Heidel of Greenfield, Jeffery “Mac” MacCafferty of Swisshelm Park, Rev. Michael Murray Sr. of Hazelwood, and Barb Warwick of Greenfield.
The moderators Peggy Fried and Dylan Rooke, asked questions spurred by the issues from Democratic Committee members from across the 5th District, and compiled by the Forum Committee. Each candidate had 2 minutes to answer each question, and at the end of the evening, 30 second to answer in rapid fire, eight yes and no questions, followed by a 1 minute closing.
Allegheny County Democratic Committee Members and State Committee members who reside in Pittsburgh’s 5th Council District are set to vote on the Democratic nominee on September 15, 2022. The winner of the committee nomination vote will be submitted to the county elections office by September 19, 2022 to be placed on the ballot as the sole Democratic candidate in the November 8, 2022 special election. There are an estimated 100 committee members eligible to vote for the Democratic Nominee to fill this vacancy.
Each party has an opportunity to nominate one candidate on the ballot. Candidates are also able to collect petition signatures to run as an independent and be placed on the ballot. Deadline for submission of signatures is September 19, 2022 to the county elections office.