Republican candidate for Allegheny County Chief Executive Matt Drozd has challenged Democratic incumbent Rich Fitzgerald to a series of five debates this fall.
Drozd, a former two-term Allegheny County councilman, ran unopposed in the May primary to win the Republican nomination.
Both Drozd and Fitzgerald will appear on the ballot Nov. 5.
“I hope it’s going to get a message out, and get people to start thinking,” said Drozd, who could be spotted throughout the summer holding a sign printed with the slogan “Cut Taxes” and waving to cars along busy roadways throughout the county.
County Executive Rich Fitzgerald could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
Drozd said he hopes to debate a long-term vision for the county and to discuss issues including homelessness, lowering taxes and finding cost savings in county spending.
Drozd, formerly of Ross Township, represented part of the North Hills before losing the Republican primary to current District 1 Councilman Tom Baker, R-Ross, in 2013.
In 2015, Drozd ran against Donald Trump in the New Hampshire Republican primary.
