Election HQ: Voter guide for 2025 Primary Day in Western Pennsylvania
Primary election day in Pennsylvania is Tuesday, May 20. The biggest race in the area is for Pittsburgh mayor with the Democrat and Republican primaries being competitive.
Pennsylvania has a closed primary system, which means voters not registered to a party cannot vote in the primary. Voters registered as Democrat or Republican will decide which candidates from their party will go on to run in the general election in November.
The state has an online tool to let voters find their polling place by entering their address here.
For more information on polling places, go to the official election pages for your county:
• Allegheny County election page
• Westmoreland County election page
• Armstrong County election page
GENERAL
Badly needed updates to Pa.’s election law unlikely despite new consensus on voter ID
For two decades, disputes over voter identification have sunk attempts to rewrite Pennsylvania’s badly outdated election law. But in recent years, prominent Democrats have offered tentative support for stricter rules.
Democrats are disappearing from elected office in the six counties surrounding Allegheny County. Just 13 Democrats combined serve as county commissioners or row officers in Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Washington and Westmoreland counties, compared to 57 Republicans. Only about a decade ago, nearly three times as many Democrats — 38 — served as commissioners or row officers in those counties, representing more than half of the 70 officeholders.
PITTSBURGH MAYOR
What to expect on Pittsburgh’s primary ballots
5.16.2025. Pittsburghers voting in Tuesday’s primary will select the candidate to represent their party in November’s general election for mayor and, in some wards, for City Council.
Say what? Separating fact from fiction in Pittsburgh mayor’s race
5.14.25. As Pittsburgh’s Democratic rivals for mayor spew facts and figures on the campaign trail, they’re also sprinkling in misinformation.
Latest Pittsburgh mayoral debate focuses on GOP candidates vying to reverse 100-year-trend
5.13.25. Pittsburgh’s Republican candidates for mayor were grilled for a solid, commercial-free hour Tuesday night during a live debate on WTAE.
Split decision: As Gainey claims unity in mayoral race, cracks appear among Democrats
5.11.25.Speaking late last month at a Hill District rally, Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey claimed to be building “unprecedented unity” in his bid for a second term. That may be more wishful thinking than reality. Neither Gainey nor his primary election rival, Corey O’Connor, appears to be a surefire winner with the city’s Democrats.
Democrats, Republicans outline visions for Pittsburgh in mayoral forum
4.29.25. The candidates seeking to lead Pittsburgh as mayor outlined their positions on key issues like public safety and affordable housing in a pair of debates held at Point Park University’s Pittsburgh Playhouse Downtown.
Plan for Pittsburgh: GOP mayoral candidates Moreno, West detail visions ahead of primary
4.28.25. Pittsburgh hasn’t elected a Republican mayor in about 100 years, but the candidates competing for the GOP nomination are hoping to buck that losing trend.
Plan for Pittsburgh: Gainey, O’Connor detail their visions ahead of primary
4.27.25. As Pittsburgh’s mayoral primary draws near, Mayor Ed Gainey is making the case for a second term while his Democratic challenger, Allegheny County Controller Corey O’Connor, tries to unseat him.
Doing the math: Spat over affordable housing data frames Gainey vs. O’Connor race
4.24.25. A day after clashing with his Democratic rival in a televised debate, Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey on Wednesday doubled down on his claim that he’s “delivered” 1,600 units of affordable housing during his city hall tenure.
Gainey, O’Connor take mayoral debate stage once again
4.22.25. With the primary election just under a month away, Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey and Allegheny County Controller Corey O’Connor took the debate stage once again — reiterating major campaign plans related to city policing, federal funding, affordable housing and more.
Gainey, O’Connor spar over affordable housing, city finances, public safety in televised debate
4.17.25. Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey and Allegheny County Controller Corey O’Connor sparred over affordable housing, public safety, city finances and who accepted money from Republican donors in a televised debate Thursday.
Gainey, Lee call for ‘unprecedented unity’ in battling Trump administration
4.16.25. Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey and U.S. Rep. Summer Lee vowed Wednesday to do what they can to protect constituents hurt by President Donald Trump’s administration — but warned they can’t go it alone.
Black voters in Pittsburgh split over support for Gainey
4.13.25. Ed Gainey swept into office vowing to improve life for Black Pittsburghers. But three years after Gainey notched a historic victory, support from Black voters for the city’s first Black mayor is anything but a given.
Drama on Grant Street sparks widespread concerns about Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey
3.30.25. As Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey faces a critical primary showdown in May, turmoil has engulfed his administration.
Ew! Pittsburgh council member warns skeptics trash emergency is not rubbish
4.8.25. Pittsburgh City Councilperson Bob Charland stood Tuesday morning in a Knoxville alley where food wrappers and paper plates poked out of discarded garbage bags and a box of hypodermic needles lay smashed on the road.
O’Connor pitches ideas to improve public safety as Pittsburgh mayor
4.3.25. Corey O’Connor pledged Thursday that if elected Pittsburgh mayor he would oversee a range of public safety improvements. They would include bettering recruiting and retention of public safety workers, opening resource centers throughout the city and asking Pittsburgh’s hospitals to pay for new ambulances.
Gainey, O’Connor talk with Jewish community at Pittsburgh forum
4.2.25. Democratic candidates facing off in Pittsburgh’s mayoral race on Wednesday shared with potential voters their visions for Downtown, affordable housing and supporting the city’s Jewish community.
O’Connor raps rival Gainey’s budget for Pittsburgh as too ‘rosy’
3.27.25. Corey O’Connor offered a sobering assessment Thursday about the finances of the city he wants to run.
Recount confirms O’Connor edged out Gainey for county Democratic endorsement
3.13.25. A recount has confirmed Allegheny County Controller Corey O’Connor won the Allegheny County Democratic Committee’s endorsement for Pittsburgh mayor in the spring primary, beating out Mayor Ed Gainey by a razor-thin margin.
Democratic committee endorses O’Connor over Gainey, but tight margin triggers recount
3.10.25. Allegheny County Controller Corey O’Connor on Sunday narrowly beat out Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey for the Allegheny County Democratic Committee’s endorsement in what is shaping up to be a hotly contested mayoral primary in May.
Gainey, O’Connor trade barbs over campaign money from GOP donors
3.3.25. Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey on Monday slammed his opponent in the upcoming Democratic mayoral primary race for accepting campaign donations from Republicans. But Gainey acknowledged he’s taken money from GOP contributors, too.
O’Connor outpaces Gainey in campaign fundraising ahead of Pittsburgh mayoral primary
2.11.25. Allegheny County Controller Corey O’Connor is far outraising incumbent Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey amid a heated Democratic primary battle for the mayor’s office.
Gainey, O’Connor talk budget, traffic in mayoral debate
2.2.25. Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey and Allegheny County Controller Corey O’Connor laid out their plans on key issues such as traffic and city finances in a brief debate hosted Sunday by the 14th Ward Independent Democratic Club, with assistance from the 14th Ward Democratic Committee.
Pittsburgh businessman Thomas West announces run for mayor on GOP ticket
1.28.25. Yet another candidate for Pittsburgh mayor has entered the race to unseat Ed Gainey. Thomas West, a 48-year-old businessman from Highland Park, is running as a Republican. He will battle Anthony Moreno, a former Pittsburgh police officer, for the GOP nomination in the May primary.
‘This city needs a change’: Pittsburgh mayoral contender Tony Moreno rips Gainey in campaign launch
1.24.25. Retired police officer and former Democrat Tony Moreno roundly skewered Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey Friday as he announced plans to run as a Republican for mayor of the city in the spring primary.
O’Connor vows to support families, children if elected Pittsburgh mayor
1.14.25. Allegheny County Controller Corey O’Connor, campaigning to be Pittsburgh’s mayor, stood in front of Cowley Recreation Center in Troy Hill Tuesday, pointing out the broken windows and boarded-up doors.
‘We deserve a better Pittsburgh’: Corey O’Connor formally launches mayoral bid to oust Gainey
12.10.24. Allegheny County Controller Corey O’Connor on Tuesday formally declared his candidacy for Pittsburgh mayor, saying the city deserves transparency, thriving neighborhoods, safe streets, booming businesses and improved public safety staffing.
Allegheny County Controller Corey O’Connor to run for Pittsburgh mayor
12.6.24. Allegheny County Controller Corey O’Connor will announce next week that he is running for mayor of Pittsburgh, looking to unseat Mayor Ed Gainey after his first term.
Mayor Ed Gainey launches re-election campaign
8.30.24. Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey has launched a re-election campaign. The first-term mayor launched a new website announcing his bid for another four-year term.
PITTSBURGH CITY COUNCIL
Judge boots off ballot 2 Dems running for Kail-Smith’s Pittsburgh council seat
The field to replace Pittsburgh Councilwoman Theresa Kail-Smith just shrank. Two Democratic candidates vying for her seat on City Council will not appear on the ballot in the May primary following a court ruling.
Republican challenger sets sights on Lavelle’s Pittsburgh council seat
Republican Jacob Dumont on Monday announced he’s running for Pittsburgh City Council, aiming to unseat council’s president, Democrat R. Daniel Lavelle, in November’s general election.
Pittsburgh voters to decide referendums on Israel ties and water privatization
Pittsburghers will see at least three referendum questions on their ballots this spring, with two aimed at ensuring the city isn’t forced to divest from companies with ties to Israel and a third asking voters to bar the city from privatizing its water and sewer infrastructure.
ALLEGHENY COUNTY
22 candidates vie for 8 open seats on Allegheny County Common Pleas Court
Eight seats are up for election on the Allegheny County Common Pleas Court bench in this month’s primary.
Allegheny County sends out mail-in ballots, announces over-the-counter voting ahead of May primary
The Allegheny County Elections Division on Monday announced the first batch of mail-in ballots are being sent to voters ahead of the May primary. Voters who requested mail-in ballots can expect them to arrive in the coming days, county officials said.
ASPINWALL
Aspinwall Council Democratic candidate race has 5 people seeking party nods for 4 seats
Aspinwall Democrats have five candidates seeking party nods for four council seats in the May primary election.
BALDWIN
5 contenders vying for 4 spots on Baldwin-Whitehall School Board
According to the Allegheny County Office of Elections’ unofficial candidate list, there are five candidates vying for four spots on the November ballot: newcomer Tara Abt, current school board President Karen L. Brown, newcomer Ashley Miller, current school board second Vice President Amanda Priano and current school board first Vice President Greg A. Zeman. All are cross-filed on the primary ballot, and the term of office is four years.
BETHEL PARK
Get to know Bethel Park’s primary election candidates
Bethel Park Journal is profiling candidates in contested municipal and school board primary elections.
CARLYTON
Carlynton School board candidates key in on communication, transparency, finances
Communication, transparency and finances are top of mind for the six candidates seeking four nominations on the Carlynton School Board.
CARNEGIE
Carnegie mayoral candidates want to tap into business potential
Both candidates seeking the Democratic nod for Carnegie mayor say they’re running to bolster growth and development in the borough.
CHARTIERS VALLEY
Meet the candidates for Chartiers Valley School Board
Candidates for Chartiers Valley School Board have an array of answers as to how they’d lead the district into the future.
COLLIER
Fiscal responsibility, managing growth priorities to Collier commissioner candidates
Three Collier commissioner seats are available in this year’s election.
FOX CHAPEL
A look at the uncontested Primary races in the Fox Chapel area
A number of municipal and school board races in the Fox Chapel area are uncontested for the May 20 primary election, according to the Allegheny County Office of Elections’ unofficial candidate list.
MARSHALL
3 Republicans vying for 2 Marshall supervisor seats in May primary
Three Republicans are vying for two supervisor seats in Marshall for the May 20 primary.
MONROEVILLE
Monroeville mayor’s seat, 4 council seats open in upcoming election
Monroeville council will see some changes after this year’s elections, with second-term mayor Nick Gresock finishing his time with the municipality and multiple council seats in play. Four seats are open on council, however only one of those seats will have multiple candidates vying for it in the May 20 primary.
7 candidates compete for 4 seats on Gateway school board
The Gateway school board will see at least three new faces next year, as seven candidates are competing for four open seats.
OAKMONT
6 candidates look to fill 4 seats on Riverview School Board
Six Democratic candidates for Riverview School Board are vying for four open spots on the November ballot in the May 20 primary.
PENN HILLS
Penn Hills School Board has 9 candidates seeking party nods to run for 4 seats
Penn Hills residents are going to see a busy race for school board in the primary.
3 candidates vying for 2 Democratic seats on Penn Hills Council
According to the Allegheny County Office of Elections’ unofficial candidate list, there are three Democrats running for two four-year Democratic seats in Penn Hills.
PLUM
Plum School Board primary election packed with incumbents, familiar faces
Of the 11 candidates vying for four open seats on Plum School Board this year, only three have never sought or held office before.
QUAKER VALLEY
A look at uncontested Primary races in the Quaker Valley area
A number of municipal and school board races in the Quaker Valley are uncontested for the May 20 Primary Election, according to the Allegheny County Office of Elections’ unofficial candidate list.
A-K VALLEY
ALLEGHENY VALLEY
7 candidates compete for 4 seats in Allegheny Valley School Board primary
Four seats are open on Allegheny Valley School Board this year, and seven candidates are vying to fill them.
BUFFALO
3 Republicans running to replace Albert ‘Ouch’ Roenigk as Buffalo Township supervisor
Republicans voters in Buffalo Township will have three choices for supervisor in the May 20 primary. Bob Buterbaugh, John Haven and Heath Singer all are vying for a six-year term. No Democrats are on the primary ballot.
DEER LAKES
7 Deer Lakes School Board candidates running in May 20 primary
Voters in the Deer Lakes School District have many options to choose from when considering their next school board members in Tuesday’s primary.
HIGHLANDS SCHOOL BOARD
4 vying for Highlands School Board in Region 2
Four people are competing for two positions to represent Highlands School Board Region 2.
2 newcomers vying for seat in Highlands Region 3
Highlands School District residents in Region 3 will see a choice of two people seeking a four-year term on the school board.
KISKI
4 Republicans seeking 3 supervisor seats in Kiski Township
Four Republicans are vying for three seats on the Kiski Township Board of Supervisors.
2 running for Kiski Area School Board in Region 3
Two candidates are running to represent Region 3 on the Kiski Area School Board.
LOWER BURRELL
Development key issue for Lower Burrell Council candidates
Business growth and development are priorities identified for Lower Burrell by all three candidates seeking two seats on city council.
NEW KENSINGTON
3 Democrats vying for 2 New Kensington Council seats in primary
Three men seeking two Democratic Party nods in the New Kensington Council primary say they want to continue the business growth and development in the city.
PARKS
2 Republicans vying for supervisor seat in Parks Township
Parks Township Supervisor Scott Kifer, a first-term Republican, faces a primary challenge from retired general contractor and PennDOT maintenance operator John Kuruc.
VANDERGRIFT
3 Democrats vying for Vandergrift Council seat
Three candidates are vying for a two-year term on Vandergrift Council. Democrats will choose among Nick Morgan, Nikol Reed and Michael Reilly in the May 20 primary. No Republicans are on the ballot.
VERONA
7 Democrats vying for 4 open seats on Verona Council
Registered Democrats in Verona will have a lot of voting options for council members in the May 20 primary. With seven candidates running for four open seats, the ballot features four incumbents and three newcomers. There are no Republican primary candidates for the seats.
WESTMORELAND COUNTY
Appeals court reinstates Republican mayoral candidate to primary ballot
A state appeals court just two weeks before the May 20 primary has reinstated a Jeannette mayoral candidate to the Republican ballot.
Ballot drop-off parking OK’d at Westmoreland courthouse
Westmoreland County officials approved final preparations for the May 20 primary election.
Jeannette, Monessen mayoral candidates removed from primary ballots
Three mayoral candidates in Jeannette and one in Monessen were removed from May’s primary ballots.
Westmoreland finalizes plans for May primary, mail-in ballots will begin next week
Westmoreland County voters could see primary ballots arrive in their mailboxes as early as next week, officials said on Tuesday.
Voting machine testing gets underway in Westmoreland
Westmoreland election officials want assurances that each vote cast during the Republican and Democratic primaries next month are accurately recorded.
Democrats sit out primary for Westmoreland County row offices
No Democratic candidates have filed to run for Westmoreland County row offices this year, further weakening a political brand that dominated the area just two decades ago.
CORONER
Incumbent, former deputy seek Republican nomination for Westmoreland coroner
Westmoreland County Coroner Tim Carson and his Republican challenger worked together in the office for about two months in early 2022.
Retired deputy coroner will seek to lead office
A former deputy coroner who left his job just months after his new boss was elected has announced his candidacy for coroner.
Westmoreland County Coroner Tim Carson will seek 2nd term
Tim Carson is seeking a second term as Westmoreland County coroner. Carson, 53, a Republican from Scottdale, won the four-year seat in 2021. In an announcement about his candidacy, Carson pointed to strides he said he has made in modernizing the office after he took the reins.
JUDGE
Hempfield lawyer announces campaign for county judge
1.16.25. Hempfield attorney Matt Schimizzi on Wednesday announced his candidacy for a seat on Westmoreland County’s Court of Common Pleas. Schimizzi, 41, is making his second run for a judicial post after finishing third in both the Democratic and Republican primaries in 2019, in what was among the expensive local judicial races in recent memory.
REGISTER OF WILLS
Past and present leaders vie for Westmoreland Register of Wills post
Last summer a Westmoreland County judge ordered the resignation of Westmoreland County’s three-term Register of Wills.
DONEGAL
Tiny Donegal Borough will cut council size in 2028, lack of participation cited
Donegal Borough Mayor Keith Deckinger is convinced his tiny town, which serves as the gateway to the Laurel Highlands, has an encouraging future. Its past and present, he said, had been stymied because of a lack of people willing to govern.
EAST HUNTINGDON
Transparency, recreation and solar: 7 candidates share key issues in East Huntingdon races
Seven candidates are vying for two supervisors seats in East Huntingdon, as the township navigates a commercial solar lawsuit and brainstorms how to use the former Ruffsdale Elementary property it bought more than four years ago.
HEMPFIELD
Parks, building development, public safety draw 6 candidates to pursue Hempfield supervisor post
Options for Hempfield supervisor will range from political newcomers to a longtime incumbent when township Republicans go to the polls Tuesday to nominate candidates during the primary election.
Building projects, staffing among priorities for Hempfield Area’s school board candidates
Renovation projects. Teacher recruitment and retention. Student performance. Open communication with the community. These are the priorities for the five candidates running for four open spots on the Hempfield Area School Board this year.
JEANETTE
Jeannette’s two-term Republican mayor faces challenger in Tuesday’s primary election
A political newcomer is challenging an incumbent in Tuesday’s Republican primary election for mayor of Jeannette.
LATROBE
4 incumbents, 6 challengers in running for Greater Latrobe School Board
A crowded field of 10 candidates is in the hunt for four seats on the Greater Latrobe School Board as the district seeks a new superintendent and decisions loom regarding proposed replacement of the junior high’s leak-prone roof and the future of several aging buildings.
LIGONIER
5 Republican contenders featured in race for 2 Ligonier Township supervisor’s seats
Republican voters in Ligonier Township will have five candidates to consider Tuesday as they select their party’s nominees for two seats on the five-member board of supervisors.
MURRYSVILLE
Delmont council has 2 candidates for 4 open seats in primary
Write-in votes could play a role in shaping the next Delmont Borough Council, with only two candidates filed to run for four open seats in the upcoming primary election.
5 candidates compete for 4 open seats on Franklin Regional school board
The Franklin Regional school board will see at least two new faces next year, with incumbents Mark Kozlosky and Traci Eshelman Ramey declining to run for reelection.
5 candidates compete for 4 seats on Murrysville council
The five Republicans who will compete for four open seats on Murrysville council are all casting an eye toward the municipality’s future — in particular, how it will grow.
NEW FLORENCE
New Florence voters to decide if post-Prohibition alcohol ban is lifted
A referendum on Tuesday’s primary election ballot pitched by Becky Richey of C&T’s Pizza could give her thirsty patrons another drink option by allowing alcohol sales within New Florence, a small town of about 640 residents in the northeast corner of Westmoreland County.
NORTH HUNTINGDON
North Huntingdon: 3 vie for GOP nomination for Sixth Ward
Republican voters in North Huntingdon’s 6th Ward will be the only ones selecting from multiple candidates in a township commissioners race in the May 20 primary.
NORWIN
Norwin candidates seek fresh perspective on board
The political battles on the Norwin School Board in 2022 and 2023 may come to an end over the next two years as four incumbents will not be on the May 20 primary election ballot.
No primary battles for Irwin, North Irwin council seats
Voters in North Irwin and Irwin do not have contested races in the May 20 primary for either the Democratic or Republican nominations for seats on the two borough councils.
PENN-TRAFFORD
Penn-Trafford School Board candidates run unopposed; police chief runs for spot
Four candidates — three incumbents and one newcomer — will run for the four available seats on the Penn-Trafford School Board this spring.
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