Benham leading in race to replace state Rep. Harry Readshaw

A community activist who co-founded an autistic advocacy group was leading a four-way Democratic primary race in a state House district that has been represented by Rep. Harry Readshaw for the past quarter-century, according to unofficial election returns.

As of 6 a.m., Jessica Benham, 29, of Pittsburgh’s South Side Slopes neighborhood, had collected 43.9% of the votes counted. Her closest competitor, Ed Moeller, 59, of Baldwin, had 34.5%.

Heather Kass, 48, of Pittsburgh’s Carrick neighborhood, trailed with 14.4% and Mark Johnson, 39, of Pittsburgh’s Brookline neighborhood, had 7.2%, unofficial tallies showed. Kass had been endorsed by the Allegheny County Democratic Committee.

Viola Garis, Benham’s campaign manager, declined to comment, saying the race remained too close.

Allegheny County officials were continuing to count ballots late Tuesday, and more votes could be counted over the next week. Gov. Tom Wolf issued an executive order Monday extending the deadline for Allegheny and five other counties to receive mail-in and absentee ballots by mail. They will be accepted through 5 p.m. June 9, as long as they were postmarked by June 2.

Moeller could not immediately be reached.

Benham, who is autistic, co-founded the Pittsburgh Center for Autistic Advocacy.

Moeller serves as a revenue control specialist at the Allegheny County Airport Authority.

Kass’ campaign had been controversial since the beginning. She edged out Benham for an endorsement by the Allegheny County Democratic Committee while being criticized for social media posts she made in 2015 and 2016.

Kass posted support for Republican President Donald Trump, criticized the Affordable Care Act, called drug addicts “junkies” and mocked gun control, according to the posts.

Last month she sued the Pennsylvania Democratic Party and the county committee, alleging breach of contract and unjust enrichment. She contends in the lawsuit that the organizations have refused to support her despite a committee endorsement in February and a $2,500 filing fee she paid to be considered for endorsement.

The lawsuit pending in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court seeks compensatory and punitive damages.

Republican A.J. Doyle, of Brentwood, ran unopposed Tuesday for a GOP nomination and will face the Democratic nominee in the November election.

Readshaw, 78, of Carrick, announced in January that he would retire at the end of his term. The owner of Readshaw Funeral Home in Carrick, Readshaw has represented the 36th District since 1995. The district includes Pittsburgh’s South Hills neighborhoods and neighboring suburban communities.