Three Allegheny County Council incumbents are facing challengers on the November ballot.

The winners will serve a four-year term and will be paid $9,000 a year.

District 2 incumbent Cindy Kirk, R-Wexford, is challenged by Christine Allen, D-Sewickley. That district includes many North Hills communities.

District 5 incumbent Sue Means, R-Bethel Park, will face Tom Duerr, D-Bethel Park, and District 6 incumbent John Palmiere, D-Pleasant Hills, will take on Michael Freedman, R-Pleasant Hills. Those district include many South Hills communities.

Voters across the county will see choices for two at-large council representatives on the ballot. Incumbent Sam DeMarco III, R-North Fayette, is running unopposed for the seat held by Republicans. Bethany Hallam, D-Ross, is on the ballot to replace the current Democratic at-large representative John DeFazio, of Shaler. Hallam beat the 20-year incumbent in the May Democratic primary to earn the spot on the November ballot.

District 2 Incumbent: Cindy Kirk, 62, Republican, Wexford

• Occupation: Registered nurse

Kirk said she’s running again to continue working on bipartisan solutions to the county’s problems.

“I’m tired of all the political nonsense,” Kirk said. “And that’s why I stay there, because we have effectively created a group that puts politics aside.”

She promised to not raise taxes and to prioritize public safety issues like combating the opioid crisis and ensuring that police have the training and resources they need. She’ll also work to address issues that impact District 2, including infrastructure improvements that would alleviate landslides.

District 2 Challenger: Christine Allen, 53, Democrat, Sewickley

• Occupation: Information technology professional in the insurance industry

• Previous elected offices: Member of Sewickley Borough Council since 2017

As a member of Sewickley Borough Council, Allen has worked on projects related to stormwater management, improving roads and taking care of blighted buildings. Those are infrastructure issues that they will continue to pursue as a member of county council. (Allen prefers using the pronouns “they” and “them.”)

Allen also plans to push for a ban on conversion therapy.

“This is very personal to me,” Allen said. “I am lesbian. I am out, and I don’t see anybody in the county council truly leading, first of all, to protect minors, and also to lead the way to create services in the county and an environment in the county, a culture where everyone can thrive.”

Increasing funding for the Community College of Allegheny County is also among Allen’s priorities.

District 5 Incumbent: Sue Means, 68, Republican, Bethel Park

• Occupation: Retired nurse

• Previous elected offices: Means has served on county council since 2013.

Means said she wants to continue her advocacy for a more transparent, fiscally responsible government.

“I ask the hard questions,” she said, adding that she feels confident in her votes as a council member because she devotes time to researching the issues and reaching out to residents those decisions impact.

She hopes to continue building on the county’s success with treating the opioid crisis and to identify more resources for mental health.

She will also continue to prioritize infrastructure improvements in the county parks and to roads to prevent landslides.

“I’d love to see there be an educational center for children in South Park,” she said. “There’s definitely upgrades that need to be done to the park.”

District 5 Challenger: Tom Duerr, 24, Democrat, Bethel Park

• Occupation: Former political campaign staffer

• Previous elected offices: Member of Bethel Park Democratic Committee

Duerr, a campaign staffer by trade, said he’s talked to thousands of residents across Southwestern Pennsylvania while working for several local, state and national Democratic campaigns. Now, he says he’s ready to put that experience to work.

“I believe over these last few months that I dedicated my full attention and time to learning the issues of the people of District 5 and proved to them that I’m going to be — even though this is a part-time position — a full-time county council person,” Duerr said.

Banning conversion therapy, maintaining election security and ensuring that polling places are accessible are among his priorities.

Duerr said he also plans to improve public transportation by making sure residents throughout the county have access to public transportation options and that all public transit is accessible to residents with disabilities.

District 6 Incumbent: John Palmiere, 77, Democrat, Pleasant Hills

• Occupation: Owner, Palmiere’s Hair Center

• Previous elected offices: Served on county council since 2011. Previously served as a school board member for the Baldwin-Whitehall School District for 23 years.

Palmiere said he’s running again to see projects he’s started through to completion. That includes improvements to lighting and shelters in South Park as well as pushing for sustained maintenance service to county parks, he said.

Palmiere said he will continue listening to constituents and solving their problems — like road repairs on Old Clairton Road in Pleasant Hills — as they arise.

“I never viewed myself as a politician,” Palmiere said. “I’m a public servant, and I always tell my people I’m here to serve and not to be self serving.”

District 6 Challenger: Michael Freedman, 70, Republican, Pleasant Hills

• Occupation: Retired, former chief financial officer for advertising companies

• Previous elected offices: None

This is Freedman’s first run for an elected office. “I’m running because, especially in our district, I don’t think our people have been represented correctly or adequately in District 6,” Freedman said.

Freedman said he plans to prioritize communication with constituents.

“I welcome people to call,” Freedman said. “And one of the promises I’ve made is that if someone calls me, I’ll get back to them in 24 hours.”

He plans to address issues related to public safety and infrastructure, like making sure there are safe crosswalks on country roads and repairs to potholes are addressed.

“I want to help the community,” Freedman said. “I’ve always been active in different organizations — Boy Scouts, youth sports. I’m retired, and I have the time to do the job the way the job needs to be done.”

These county council seats are also up for a vote this year, but candidates are not facing challengers:

• Bethany Hallam, D-Ross, won the Democratic primary against 20-year incumbent John DeFazio, D-Shaler, for one of two at-large seats on council.

• Sam DeMarco III, R-North Fayette, is running as an incumbent for the other at-large seat.

• Nicholas Futules, D-Oakmont, is vice president of council and is running to keep his District 7 seat.

• Paul Zavarella, D-Plum, took over the seat left vacant following the death of longtime council member Charles Martoni in August.

• DeWitt Walton, D-Hill District, is running as an incumbent representing District 10.

• Paul Klein, D-Point Breeze, is running as an incumbent representing District 11.

• Olivia Bennett, D-Northview Heights, defeated incumbent Denise Ranalli Russell, D-Brighton Heights, in the Democratic primary for the District 13 seat.

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