Dems challenge Peduto opponents

Allegheny County Democrats are seeking to remove two independent candidates from the race for mayor of Pittsburgh this November: James Rack and Khalid Raheem.

Mr. Rack’s petitions were being challenged for “the failure to do anything correctly, really,” said Chuck Pascal, the attorney representing both challenges on behalf of three city voters.

Mr. Pascal said county Democrats asked him to take up the challenges; the incumbent Democratic mayor, Bill Peduto, faces no other opposition.

Mr. Pascal’s legal filings argue that Mr. Rack compiled 826 signatures, exactly the minimum needed to earn a spot on the Nov. 7 ballot, of which 799 are flawed. The filings also note that Mr. Rack did not identify sources of income or any other financial data required on a statement of financial interest.

“It’s not democracy,” said Mr. Rack of the challenge.

“I didn’t know they could do this,” Mr. Rack added, saying he was unemployed and that his only previous political experience was a brief run for governor. “I wanted to get my voice out there, but they’re trying to silence me.”

Mr. Rack said that if he remained on the ballot, he would campaign on investing in a new water system and other infrastructure.

“We’re going to build, don’t worry about the money,” he said.

“All we’ve got to do is get the materials: I’ll get people to build it for free.”

Mr. Pascal is also challenging 628 of the 955 signatures gathered by Mr. Raheem, an activist running as a candidate for the New Afrikan Independence Party.

The filings also allege that Mr. Raheem did not file a copy of his own financial statement with the city clerk’s office.

Mr. Raheem did not respond to a call for comment Monday, but the clerk’s office said he had in fact filed a statement on Aug. 1.

Allegheny County Common Pleas Court Judge Joseph James will hear the challenges Aug. 29.