Wednesday, November 05, 2003

By Johnna A. Pro, Post-Gazette Staff Writer

Voters in the Allegheny Valley handed a stunning upset victory last night to Republican Eileen Watt, who in her first political race came from behind to narrowly defeat Allegheny County Council President Rick Schwartz in a race targeted by the GOP.

But even with Watt's victory, Democrats maintained a firm hold on one other key seat that was in Republican sights, thus preserving control of the legislative body for at least another two years.

The Democrats' ability to retain the seat means that Chief Executive-elect Dan Onorato will have an easier time governing, given that his party controls both branches of Allegheny County government.

But Schwartz's loss in District 7, to Watt, 38, of Cheswick, illustrates the GOP's progress in electing candidates across the county.

Watt's victory means Democrats now have only an 8-7 majority on council, rather than the more comfortable 9-6 majority.

Although nine County Council seats were up for grabs, seven of the seats were virtually decided in May's primary, leaving only voters in Districts 6 and 7 with any choice in the general election.

Despite the Democrats 2-1 edge in voter registration, the GOP launched fierce campaigns in both districts.

In District 7, Schwartz's lead was never solid over Watt, the political director of the Allegheny County Republican Party.

Throughout the night, Watt was always within 200 votes of Schwartz. By late last night, with nearly all districts counted, Watt had pulled ahead and solidified her lead by roughly 1,100 votes.

Schwartz criticized Watt for running what he called "the most negative campaign that I've ever seen in my life," and said that despite being repeatedly attacked by Watt he tried to stay focused.

"I never went negative. We ran an issues campaign, and I'm extremely proud of what I've done the last four years," Schwartz said. "I still have my regular job and will continue to be active in legislative affairs with my union."

Schwartz, a utility worker, is active with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

District 7 includes Cheswick, Harmar, Springdale, Oakmont, Verona, Penn Hills, Plum and Wilkins.

In District 6, made up of communities in the South Hills, political newcomer Joan Cleary, a nurse backed largely by unions, took an early lead over Whitehall Councilwoman Linda Book, 47, of Whitehall, and hung on to it throughout the night.

But with less than 2,000 votes separating the two, Cleary's numbers didn't reflect the voter demographics or the fact that the 51-year-old Brentwood resident spent $200,000 on the campaign, nearly four times that of her Republican opponent. The job pays $9,000.

The communities in District 6 are Baldwin Borough, Baldwin Township, Brentwood, Castle Shannon, Clairton, Jefferson Hills, Pleasant Hills, South Park, West Elizabeth and Whitehall.

Cleary said that the money she spent was necessary to develop name recognition.

"I'm going to work hard and I'm going to work for everybody," Cleary said. "That's what I intend to do."

The at-large candidates whose elections were assured in the May primary were John DeFazio and Dave Fawcett.

In addition to the regular elections, special elections were held in District 6 and District 10 to fill the seats through the end of December. The same candidates were running -- Robinson was unopposed in District 10, and Book and Cleary faced off again in District 6. Cleary also won the special election.

In District 2 and District 5, Republicans Jan Rea and Vince Gastgeb had no challengers, nor did Democrats Bill Robinson in District 10, Rich Fitzgerald in District 11 or Brenda L. Frazier in District 13.

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