Open North Side seat, independents create crowded Pittsburgh City Council race

Three Pittsburgh City Council seats are up for grabs during Tuesday’s general election with independent candidates challenging two incumbents and vying for an open seat in the North Side’s District 1.

Two council representatives – Democrats Corey O’Connor of Swisshelm Park and Deb Gross of Highland Park – are running unopposed for their respective District 5 and 7 seats.

Longtime Councilwoman Darlene Harris lost in the primary election, setting up a competitive race for her District 1 seat in November.

There are no Republican candidates on the ballot.

Council representatives serve four years at a current salary of $68,066.

Council District 1

Malcolm Jarrett, 49, East Allegheny, Socialist Workers Party

• Occupation: Cook at Common Pleas Catering.

• Experience: Longtime political activist. First time running for political office.

• Top priority: To serve as a voice for working people and the conditions they face, including low wages and a lack of affordable health care.

Bobby Wilson, 37, Spring Hill, Democrat

• Occupation: Medical researcher at the University of Pittsburgh Emphysema/COPD Research Center.

• Experience: Current president of Spring Hill Civic League; board member Northside Leadership Conference.

• Top priority: Seeking public-private partnerships and collaboration between the Pittsburgh Urban Redevelopment Authority and community development corporations to bring more affordable housing to North Side neighborhoods.

Chris Rosselot, 39, Spring Garden, Independent

• Occupation: Community development consultant

• Experience: Former aide for U.S. Sen. Bob Casey

• Top priority: Making the office more active in North Side neighborhoods and accessible to all residents.

Council District 3

Bruce Kraus, 65, South Side Flats, Democrat

• Occupation: City Council President

• Experience: Seeking a fourth term on council. Serves on various boards including the Carnegie Library, Carnegie Mellon University, Children’s Sickle Cell Foundation, Institute for Research, Education & Training in Addictions, Oakland Business Improvement District, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and Shepherd Wellness Community advisory board.

• Top priority: Improving neighborhood empowerment and constituent services.

Jacob Nixon, 28, Oakland, Independent

• Occupation: Associate Director of Development for the Pennsylvania College Access Program.

• Experience: First time seeking political office.

• Top Priority: Rescinding Pittsburgh’s tax on property sales, which will increase from 4.5% to 5% in 2020.

Council District 9

Ricky Burgess, 62, North Point Breeze, Democrat

• Occupation: City Council member; pastor of Nazarene Baptist Church in Homewood; professor of communications at Community College of Allegheny County.

• Experience: Seeking a fourth term on council.

• Top priority: Bringing more development to impoverished East End neighborhoods and link it to social services for residents.

Barbara Daniels, 52, Homewood, Independent

• Occupation: Works in a Citizens Bank loan department.

• Experience: First time seeking political office.

• Top priority: Creating affordable housing for low-income residents of the district.

Randall Taylor, 58, East Liberty, Independent

• Occupation: Community activist

• Experience: Served on the Pittsburgh Public School Board from 1997 to 2009.

• Top priority: Creating affordable housing for low-income residents of the district.

B. De Neice Welch, 59, East Hills, Independent

• Occupation: Pastor of Bidwell Presbyterian Church in Manchester.

• Experience: President of the Pennsylvania Interfaith Impact Network, former national chair of the Gamaliel Network National Women’s Leadership Development Program, longtime community activist.

• Top priority: Being accountable to constituents and reducing gentrification in district neighborhoods.