Allegheny County
County-level races in Allegheny County have intrigue, famous faces and newcomers squaring off for high-level offices.
Sheriff
Political observers say even a federal investigation may not be enough to make a Republican sheriff in Democratically-controlled Allegheny County.
A scandal alleging pressure tactics to raise money for the sheriff has rocked the office and resulted in a captain's perjury conviction. A second high-ranking officer, Lt. Cmdr. Richard Stewart, is awaiting trial on charges of lying to a grand jury. DeFazio is believed to be a target of the investigation.
Even so, DeFazio appears to be sailing smoothly toward re-election Nov. 8. Unopposed in the Democratic primary, the two-term sheriff faces a Republican, Herb Ohlinger, who acknowledges his chances of winning are minuscule.
Unknown, however, is the potential political impact of the federal investigation, especially if indictments result before election day.
A defense attorney for now-retired sheriff's Capt. Frank Schiralli, convicted of perjury Sept. 2, has said indictments against DeFazio and Chief Deputy Dennis Skosnik are likely at some stage, but the timing is uncertain.
"It's like everybody's waiting for the other shoe to drop," said Joseph Sabino Mistick, a law professor at Duquesne University and longtime political analyst.
Ohlinger said he hasn't seen the sheriff on the campaign trial.
"I haven't seen him anywhere," he said. "You start out with a 2 1/2-to-1 lead and it's yours to lose. He's probably taking it easy."
DeFazio likely is counting on a network of supporters to work harder than ever, considering the circumstances, said Jerry Shuster, who teaches political communications at the University of Pittsburgh and Robert Morris University.
Republicans see the federal investigation as "a leak in the dam," he said.
Even so, odds are stacked high against Ohlinger's bid.
Registered Democrats outnumber Republicans in the county by more than 2-to-1.
County Council, District 3
Democrats are downplaying expectations their party will gain heavily in Allegheny County Council elections, and Republicans are trying to be optimistic in the face of long odds.
But candidates and council leaders quietly acknowledge that three Republican incumbents face tough re-election races this year, and Democrats could add to their 8-7 majority.
Six of the 15 County Council seats are up for grabs Nov. 8.
Republican Councilman Ed Kress of District 3, appointed earlier this year to fill the unexpired term of former Councilman Tom Shumaker, of Pine, is one of the incumbents with an uphill climb.
Kress said he wants to create economic opportunity to reverse tide of young people leaving Allegheny County. He favors finding alternate sources of county government revenue by selling naming rights to parks, other county facilities.
His Democratic challenger, Millvale Mayor James Burn, will enjoy a 55 percent to 34 percent voter-registration advantage.
Burn said he favors the assessment plan adopted by Allegheny County Council, but says the county must work toward annual assessments to gain accuracy. The Democratic registration edge comes as President Bush and the national Republican Party are struggling, said Council President Rich Fitzgerald, a Squirrel Hill Democrat. "It's a good time to run as a Democrat," he said.
Picking up even one seat would be good for his party, while a two- or three-seat addition would be exceptional, Fitzgerald said.
A two-seat advance for Democrats would return the panel to the 10-5 majority they held in the first County Council election in 2000.
Republicans rode the coattails of former County Chief Executive Jim Roddey to gain several seats during his tenure. But Democrats gained voter-registration majorities in many Republican-held districts during a 2002 redrawing of the electoral map. It concentrated Republican strength into two districts not up for election this year and created Democratic majorities in other districts that are up for grabs.
Common Pleas Judge
Voters will choose seven Allegheny County Common Pleas judges next month, but the real race comes down to six lawyers vying for three seats.
Attorney and former Steelers cornerback Dwayne Woodruff, personal injury lawyer Beth Lazzara, former First Assistant District Attorney Edward J. Borkowski and defense attorney Anthony Mariani all but secured election to the bench when they won both parties' nominations in the May primary.
Name recognition among the remaining six candidates likely will be the deciding factor for most voters on Nov. 8.
"The vast majority of voters don't have any familiarity with the judicial races," said political analyst Jerry Shuster, a professor at Robert Morris University and the University of Pittsburgh. "So they latch on to a familiar name."
The race for the 10-year terms on the bench -- which pay annual salaries of $149,132 thanks to the Legislature's approval of a controversial pay raise this summer -- has several high-profile names.
Pittsburgh City Controller Tom Flaherty nabbed a Democratic nomination although he never has tried a case in court. Patricia A. McCullough, the former head of the county Board of Property Assessment and Review, and former City Councilman Alan Hertzberg also are on the slate. Hertzberg, McCullough and Borkowski already are on the bench, having been appointed by Gov. Ed Rendell in March to fill vacancies.
The Allegheny County Bar Association said Flaherty is not recommended at this time for the bench, but Flaherty said that is only because he has not been a lawyer long enough. A lawyer for seven years, he said he has gained plenty of experience with government as a state representative, Pittsburgh City Council member and city controller since 1984.
"I know every nook and cranny in the county," Flaherty said.
Other candidates don't have well-known names.
"I know I'm a longshot," said Dan Cusick, a Republican from Mt. Lebanon. Cusick said he is attending community events throughout the county to get his name out.
Roger Wise, a McCandless Republican, is going door-to-door to introduce himself to voters and explain his pro-life position and his philosophy that judicial activism should end.
"I also focus on the fact that I'm a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, which I think is important to people," he said.
Other candidates are touting their legal experience.
Kathryn Hens-Greco, of Point Breeze, stresses her 20 years in the family court system.
"The last 16 judges elected went to family court," she said. "They stay a year or two then want to leave. I want to stay. It's important to have experienced and dedicated judges there."
Hertzberg, McCullough and Borkowski have served as judges for the past seven months. Borkowski was a former prosecutor and city magistrate.
Mariani, who lives in Ross, also is a former prosecutor and has handled criminal and civil cases in state and federal court.
"You have to be involved in the process of courtroom cases to know how to preside over them," Mariani said.
Lazzara, of Brighton Heights, and Woodruff, who lives in McCandless, have each handled civil litigation for about 15 years.
Although Woodruff concedes he is more well known as a football player, he said he is trying to get the message out about his legal experience.
"I've been out of the game for some time now, so many people know my civic activities," he said. "And hopefully that's what they'll think about when they vote."
Allegheny County Sheriff.
Pete DeFazio
Age: 56.
Residence: Baldwin Borough.
Occupation: Sheriff.
Party: Democrat.
Experience: Sheriff since 1997.
Education: High school graduate; attended Community College of Allegheny County.
Herb Ohlinger
Age: 46.
Residence: Scott Township.
Occupation: Owns an information systems company.
Experience: Scott Township commissioner, 1994-96.
Education: Bachelor's degrees in information technology and psychology, University of Pittsburgh.
District 3 representative on Allegheny County Council.
Edward J. Kress
Party: Republican.
Age: 34.
Residence: Shaler.
Profession: Lawyer, Weisel, Xides & Foerster
Political experience: Appointed in May to replace departing County Councilman Tom Shumaker. First public office.
Education: Bachelor's degree in history, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, 1993. Law degree, Duquesne University, 1997.
James R. Burn
Party: Republican.
Age: 42.
Residence: Millvale.
Profession: Lawyer, Abes Baumann.
Political experience: Mayor of Millvale since 1994.
Education: Bachelor's degree in English, Duquesne University, 1985. Law degree, University of Dayton, 1988.
Common Pleas Judge
Dwayne D. Woodruff
Age: 48
Residence: McCandless
Experience: 16 years in civil and family law
Nomination: Democrat and Republican
Beth Lazzara
Age: 39
Residence: Brighton Heights
Experience: 14 years of civil litigation; youngest member of the Academy of Trial Lawyers
Nomination: Democrat and Republican
Edward J. Borkowski
Age: 53
Residence: Lawrenceville
Experience: 20 years as a lawyer; former city magistrate and first deputy district attorney; appointed to Common Pleas Court in March
Nomination: Democrat and Republican
Anthony Mariani
Age: 52
Residence: Ross
Experience: 25 years in civil and criminal court; former federal prosecutor; teaches law at Duquesne University
Nomination: Democrat and Republican
Tom Flaherty
Age: 54
Residence: Shadyside
Experience: Seven years as an attorney; current Pittsburgh City Controller
Nomination: Democrat
Alan Hertzberg
Age: 48
Residence: Crafton Heights
Experience: 22 years in family court; former Pittsburgh City Councilman; appointed to Common Pleas Court in March
Nomination: Democrat
Kathryn M. Hens-Greco
Age: 47
Residence: Point Breeze
Experience: 20 years in practice in family court; court-appointed mediator for custody cases
Nomination: Democrat
Patricia A. McCullough
Age: 48
Residence: Upper St. Clair
Experience: 23 years as an attorney; former chair of the county Board of Property Assessment Appeals and Review; appointed to Common Pleas Court in March
Nomination: Republican
Dan Cusick
Age: 57
Residence: Mt. Lebanon
Experience: 27 years of civil litigation
Nomination: Republican
Roger Wise
Age: 59
Residence: McCandless
Experience: 31 years in civil law; Air Force veteran; former lawyer for U.S. Steel
Nomination: Republican
