https://archive.triblive.com/news/politics-election/pa-reps-wheatley-gainey-win-democratic-primaries/
Pa. Reps. Wheatley, Gainey win Democratic primaries
Stephanie Strasburg | Tribune-Review
State Rep. Jake Wheatley speaks during an April 8 mayoral debate at the Hill District Ministers Alliance Candidate Forum at Wesley Center A.M.E. Zion in the Hill District.
State Rep. Jake Wheatley appeared to fend off a challenge from an Allentown social worker in Tuesday's Democratic primary, and a political newcomer from Collier was leading a former state representative attempting to regain his old seat.
With 66 percent of Allegheny County voting precincts reporting, Wheatley, 44, of the Hill District had about 60 percent of the vote to lead Jessica Wolfe, 35, according to unofficial election returns.
Wolfe, whose husband, Ken, once worked on Wheatley's legislative staff, had 40 percent.
Wheatley is virtually assured of retaining his seat in November since no Republican challenger staged a primary campaign.
The 19th District includes the Hill District, North Side, South Side, Hazelwood, Downtown, Uptown, Oakland and Pittsburgh's South Hills neighborhoods.
In the South Hills, Democrat Joe Szpara was winning a race against Jesse White, a former state representative, who was seeking to take back a seat he lost two years ago.
Szpara had 60 percent of the vote in Allegheny County and 41 percent in Washington County compared to White's 40 percent in Allegheny and 59 percent in Washington. Szpara was ahead in the race overall.
In the November election, Szpara, 61, of Collier would face Republican state Rep. Jason Ortitay, 32, R-Bridgeville, who was unopposed.
White, 37, of Cecil, in 2014 overcame allegations that he used fake names on Internet message boards to attack challengers and won the Democratic nomination, but lost to Ortitay in the general election.
The district stretches from Robinson Township in Allegheny County to Washington in Washington County.
State Rep. Ed Gainey was facing a three-way race in the 24th District, which includes Wilkinsburg and Pittsburgh's East End neighborhoods.
He faced two challengers who previously ran for the seat but lost, William Anderson, 43, owner of a Homewood auto body shop, and Todd Elliott Koger, 54, of Wilkinsburg.
Returns were unavailable in that contest at press time.
Legislators serve two years. Their base salary for 2016 is $85,339.
Bob Bauder is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 412-765-2312 or bbauder@tribweb.com.
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