2 McCandless primary losers get enough write-in votes to run in the fall

Two Republican candidates for McCandless council who failed to win party nomination in the spring primary received enough write-in votes from Democrats to make it on the ballot for the Nov. 5 general election.

First-term incumbent council President Kim Zachary lost the GOP nomination to run for a second term as the Ward 1 representative to Greg Martin, who pulled in 68.48 percent of the votes.

No candidates ran for the Democratic nomination in the May 21 primary.

But Zachary picked up 115 write-in votes from Democrats to challenge Martin in the fall.

In most municipal and school board races, only 10 write-in votes are needed in the primary to get on the general election ballot, according to the Allegheny County election bureau.

Martin also received 28 write-in votes from Democrats in the primary, according to election records.

In Ward 5, where incumbent Councilman Greg Walkauskus did not seek re-election, Republican Joe Beierle defeated Angela Woods for the GOP nomination with 52.17 percent of the vote.

But Woods received 111 write-in votes from Democrats to challenge Beierle in the general election.

Beierle also got 40 write-in votes from Democrats in the primary.

The other seats up for re-election are Ward 3 and 7.

First term incumbent Ward 3 Councilman Steve Mertz lost the GOP nomination to run for a second term to Chuck Mazur, who has not held previous elected office.

Mazur will face Democrat Deawna Marie Alfonsi, who ran unopposed for her party’s nomination.

Incumbent Ward 7 Councilman Bill McKim also did not seek another term.

Only one candidate from each party sought nominations to run for the seat McKim will vacate — Republican Patrick Semon and Democrat Patricia Cloonan, who both secured party nominations to square off in the fall.