Bethany Hallam showed that progressives can win all across Allegheny County. Her win of the County Council at-large seat in May’s Primary Election was a shock to many. Hallam took down County Councilor John DeFazio, a longtime incumbent with name recognition and support of big players like Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald. Even before being seated, Hallam is pushing back against the Democratic establishment, with efforts to get conversion therapy banned countywide and setting up a block of councilors to counter Fitzgerald’s stances on fracking and the county jail. On top of this, she’s made some inroads to shake up Allegheny County’s Democratic Committee structure. Her strategy is bold, unapologetic, and multi-faceted. She’s someone to watch in Pittsburgh politics.
