Republicans win write-ins, will run for two Allegheny County offices in November

Two Republican candidates for Allegheny County offices pulled off successful primary write-in campaigns to challenge Controller Chelsa Wagner and County Councilman John Palmiere, both Democrats, in the November election, according to the county elections office.

Brooke Nadonley, 42, of Mt. Washington received 1,887 write-in votes in her campaign for county controller.

Michael Freedman, 70, of Pleasant Hills received 367 to challenge Palmiere for his District 6 council seat.

Each needed a minimum of 250 write-ins for their names to appear on November ballots.

“I look forward to continuing to campaign as I’ve been doing in the prior months,” Wagner said. “There hasn’t been an election where I haven’t had a challenger, some even from my own party. I think that’s what comes with the territory, particularly when you are independent and you stand for checks and balances.”

Nadonley, Freedman and Palmiere could not be reached for comment.

Wagner said she was certain her legal troubles in Detroit prompted Nadonley to stage a write-in campaign.

Wagner and husband Khari Mosley were arrested at Detroit motel in March after a confrontation with police. Wagner faces a trial on two felony counts of resisting and obstructing police and one count of disorderly conduct.

Nadonley, who chairs the Mt. Washington Republican Committee, unsuccessfully attempted in January to file impeachment proceedings against Mayor Bill Peduto, a Democrat, over the city’s controversial firearms regulations.

Freedman described himself on the Republican Committee of Allegheny County website as a retired businessman with a bachelor’s degree in commerce from Rider University and more than 45 years of experience in finance and operations.

Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. and Treasurer John Weinstein and Pittsburgh School Director Bill Gallagher, all Democrats, each netted the most Republican write-in campaigns, virtually assuring re-election since they will have no fall opponents on the ballot.