Walker-Montgomery to face Davis in 35th District special election
Mifflin and White Oak.
Though there are few African-American women in the GOP, Ms. WalkerMontgomery is running on a familiar Republican platform that combines opposition to abortion with pledges to lower taxes and cut regulations. Ms. Walker-Montgomery works as a senior program manager at a Hill District human-services agency, and is in her second term on McKeesport City Council. She sought the 35th District seat last year but was thrown off the 2016 primary ballot due to problems with her nominating petitions. She carried out a successful write-in campaign to become the Republican nominee but lost to Mr. Gergely in the general election, 16,170 to 9,702.
In August, Mr. Gergely pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy and an illegal campaign contribution, charges tied to an illegal gambling ring. He stepped down prior to this year’s fall election.
Democrats unanimously selected Mr. Davis at a Nov. 18 gathering. With a strong political pedigree — he is the vice chair of the Allegheny County Democratic Committee — Mr. Davis was the only candidate in contention. He is a top aide to Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald and as such serves on a number of county boards including the Jail Oversight Board, the Kane Foundation, and the Minority, Women, and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Advisory Board.
“Austin has spent his entire life serving others” and “is the best choice to serve the Mon Valley as their state representative,” said Allegheny County Democratic Committee chair Nancy Patton Mills at the time.
Mr. Davis and Ms. Walker-Montgomery were the only candidates who’d publicly announced interest in the seat. But Allegheny County’s legislative delegation will be more diverse no matter who wins. Ms. Walker-Montgomery would be only the second female legislator currently representing the county, and either candidate would stand to be the only the third African-American representing the area — and the only one not representing a Pittsburgh neighborhood.