Voters appeared poised to elect two new faces to Allegheny County Council on Tuesday, though one race remained too close to call late into election night.

Tom Baker, a Ross Republican, declared victory in his bid for the open District 1 seat.

“It's an incredible honor, and I'm very thankful to the voters in District 1,” Baker said, vowing to keep taxes in check and keep jobs in the county.

Baker led Democrat Daniel McClain 51 to 42 percent with 85 percent of precincts reporting. A third candidate, Jim Barr, 60, of West View, a member of the Constitution Party, received 7 percent. District 1 covers parts of the North Hills and western suburbs.

Baker, 34, is the chief community affairs officer for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh. He is on the North Hills School District board, a post he must resign to serve on county council, according to the county's home rule charter.

He will replace Matt Drozd, who lost in the Republican primary.

The race for the open District 3 seat remained close, but Republican Ed Kress held a slim lead over Democrat Mary E. Gibson at 52 to 48 percent, with 94 percent of precincts reporting. District 3 includes West Deer and other northeastern suburbs.

A proposal to drill for natural gas under Deer Lakes Park in West Deer and Frazier, finding new revenue and making the county run more efficiently were key issues.

Kress, 42, of Shaler was appointed to council in 2005 and 2011. He is a lawyer focusing on estates, wills, trusts, personal injuries and property assessment appeals.

Gibson, 30, of Indiana Township is a business risk analyst and corporate counsel for Giant Eagle. She won her first race, for Indiana Township judge of elections, after her sister wrote in her name for every race in the 2004 election.

The winner will replace Jim Burn, who decided not to seek re-election.

Incumbents Charles Martoni, D-Swissvale, and Bob Macey, D-West Mifflin, won their races. Martoni, 77, the council president and a member since 2000, defeated Republican David Majernik, 67, of Plum.

Majernik lost his bid to be the mayor of Plum.

Macey, 65, on council since 2006, bested Republican Kenneth Peoples, 41, of White Oak.

Michael Finnerty, D-Scott, and Jim Ellenbogen, D-Banksville, ran unopposed. County council members serve for four years and make $9,000 annually.

Aaron Aupperlee is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-320-7986 or aaupperlee@tribweb.com.

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