Franklin Park Democrats used write-in votes to nominate candidates in 2 wards

Democrats in two Franklin Park wards cast enough write-in votes in the May 21 primary to nominate candidates to challenge incumbent members of council in the fall, according to Allegheny County election records.

Incumbent Republican Laura Coombs, the council’s second vice president, ran uncontested for the Ward 1 primary nomination.

No Ward 1 Democrats sought party nominations, but Jiang Li of Norman Drive received 67 write-in votes on the Democdratic ticket.

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 county election officials.

In Ward 3, Incumbent Republican Councilman James Lawrence also ran unopposed for his party’s nomination.

No Democrats sought primary nominations to run for the Ward 3 seat.

But Brian Samuel Malkin of Nevin Drive received 57 write-in votes from Democrats for a chance to challenge Lawrence in the Nov. 5 general election.

In Ward 2, incumbent Councilman John Parks, who serves as the vice president, ran uncontested for a four-year term on council.

He will face Democrat Matt Ferriolo, who also was uncontested for his party’s nomination to run for the four-year term.

Incumbent Lucas Myslinski ran unopposed on the GOP ticket for the two-year Ward 2 council seat. He will run against Susan Striz, who was unchallenged for the Democratic nomination for the two-year term.