2 newcomers, 2 incumbents earn spots on November ballot for Verona Council

Four members have been selected from seven Democratic candidates to run for Verona Council in November.

According to unofficial election results from the Allegheny County Office of Elections, newcomers Kelli Rodriguez, 44, and Curtis Spurling, 36, will be competing against each other and incumbents Patricia “Trish” Hredzak, 41, and John Gemellas, 53, for four four-year term seats.

No candidates were listed on the Republican ballot.

Rodriguez secured the most votes with 211. Hredzak and Gemellas came in shortly behind at 180 and 178 votes, respectively. Spurling grabbed the final spot with 156 votes.

Incumbent Raymon Suchevich was unable to secure a ballot spot after receiving 151 votes. Also not receiving enough votes to appear on the ballot were Vince Flotta, another incumbent, with 145 votes; and Jeffrey Mason, with 88 votes.

Rodriguez previously told TribLive that her main goal on council would be to make sure community members felt heard. Spurling said he wants to help the borough become “less stagnant,” and intends to serve as a “fresh voice.”

Hredzak said, if reelected, she would continue her work to improve the borough’s policing and help cultivate more communication between the council and community.

Gellemas, who was previously appointed to council, hopes to keep his seat and continue working on improving public safety by “maintaining and enhancing services and employee retention.”