Lisa Middleman is greeted by supporters at her election party inside the Savoy restaurant. Credit: CP Photo: Jared Wickerham

This year’s biggest election in Allegheny County is the contest between incumbent District Attorney Stephen Zappala (D-Fox Chapel) and challenger Lisa Middleman (I-Highland Park).

Middleman’s campaign raised more money than Zappala, who has served as the country’s top prosecutor for more than 20 years, and the race has featured several high profile stories. Zappala, the Democratic nominee who also cross-filed as the GOP nominee, has campaigned on his record and his efforts to add surveillance cameras and other security measures to the county, even garnering support from Republicans. His independent challenger, meanwhile, has focused her campaign on progressive reforms to the criminal justice system, criticizing Zappala for the stark racial disparities that currently exist in the county’s system.

This has garnered her a substantial amount of grassroots and national support, and even has had some Democratic officials willing to break ranks to support her. As the county eagerly waited for the results, Middleman’s campaign held an Election Night party at Savoy bar in the Strip District.