Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Recap of City Council Races

Pittsburgh City Council had four races in Tuesday's election but only one of them was contested. In district 8 Incumbent Bill Peduto was challenged by Republican Greg Neugebauer but was able to win re-election. The other council races were in districts 2, 4, and 6. Natalia Rudiak won in district 4 replacing Jim Motznik who won a seat as a district judge. In district 2 Theresa Smith retained the seat she won in a special election replacing Dan Deasy who went on to the State House of Representatives. In district 6 Robert Daniel Lavelle replaces Tonya Payne who tried to run a write in campaign but was unsuccessful.

New face Natalia Rudiak says she is working with current Councilman Jim Motznik to ensure that there is a smooth transition and says she plans on hitting the ground running by taking on issues such as neighborhood investment and crime in her new district.

Robert Daniel Lavelle says he will work to address issues of unemployment and education when he is sworn in as a member of City Council.

City Council President Doug Shields says he is excited to work with the new council members and says he hopes that because of the large number of independent thinkers that Mayor Ravenstahl, who also won re election, will be more participatory when it comes to policy discussions.

Overall in the last 2 years there has been a total of 6 new council members.

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