click to enlarge Image courtesy of Allegheny County
Pittsburgh's recent election headlines have been swamped by the not-quite-announced, but upcoming special election for U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy's (R-Upper St. Clair) vacated seat. Murphy, a pro-life champion, was caught having an affair and then allegedly asked
his mistress to get an abortion. He will resign Oct. 21, after what has been a
controversial and
hypocrisy-filled year.
But there are still other important upcoming political races before that special election goes down, and today, Oct. 10, is the last day to register to vote on Nov. 7. Pennsylvania citizens can register online at
register.votespa.com.
Statewide, Pennsylvania will be deciding a new state Supreme Court justice and former Steeler and Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge
Dwayne Woodruff, a Democrat, is facing off against Justice Sallie Updyke Mundy, a Republican from Tioga County who was appointed to temporarily fill a vacancy after the state's
"porngate" scandal.
There is also a slew of statewide
judgeship contests for Pennsylvania's Superior and Commonwealth courts, the appellate courts that sit right below the state Supreme Court.
Locally, a magisterial district judge race in Pittsburgh's magisterial district that includes its 8th, 10th and 11th wards pits independent
Mik Pappas against Democrat Ron Costa Sr. Pappas is endorsed by the
Democratic Socialists of America and is running on a criminal-justice-reform platform, while the incumbent Costa is backed by the Allegheny County Democratic Party.
On Allegheny County Council, two contested races will take place. Democrat
Anita Prizio, a former O'Hara township councilor and delegate for former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, is running against incumbent Republican
Ed Kress of Shaler for the District 3 seat. Also of note, incumbent Democrat Charles Martoni will face off against Republican challenger Michael Dell in District 8.
Though municipal elections tend to generate less enthusiasm compared to national races, local and statewide leaders are encouraging Pennsylvanians to vote. Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto, who won the Democratic
primary election and faces no major party challenger, tweeted to remind Pittsburghers today is the last day to register. Gov. Tom Wolf, a Democrat, also tweeted to remind Pennsylvanians to
register.