Annie O'Neill, Post-Gazette Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and his wife, Erin, embrace after his endorsement by the Allegheny County Democratic Committee yesterday.

By Rich Lord, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Democratic Party stalwarts delivered a landslide win to Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl yesterday, giving him their endorsement by a 602-163 vote over the challenger, city Councilman William Peduto.

The six hours of voting by some 1,948 members of the Allegheny County Democratic Committee, nearly half from city wards, yielded a razor-thin margin in the race for city controller, and defeat for city Councilwoman Twanda Carlisle and three sitting County Council members.

Losing candidates can still run in the primary, but winners benefit from party get-out-the-vote efforts and get their names on slate cards and other literature.

	Annie O'Neill, Post-Gazette Pittsburgh Councilman William Peduto Click photo for larger image.

Mr. Ravenstahl, who assumed the office upon Bob O'Connor's Sept. 1 death, came out of the process in a strong position with 10 weeks to go until the May 15 primary. He has led in polls and fund raising and garnered the endorsements of key officials and some unions.

"The support was overwhelming," the mayor said shortly after the votes were counted. "The people of Pittsburgh respect my hardworking nature and respect what we've been able to do in a short six months."

Mr. Ravenstahl's total was 102 votes more than Mr. O'Connor got in 2005 on his way to an easy victory in that year's primary.

Mr. Peduto said he'd fight on.

"It's not the numbers I was hoping for, but 800 people voted today, and 60,000 will vote on May 15," said the councilman, who sent aprons to committee members in recent days in an effort to cook up support. "It doesn't slow our campaign down. If anything, it fires us up."

In the race for controller, the city's No. 2 post, acting Controller Tony Pokora was initially declared the winner with 337 votes to 336 for county Prothonotary Michael Lamb. Committee leadership then decided to count two provisional ballots, both of which went to Mr. Lamb, giving him a 338-337 win.

The provisional ballots were cast by people who said they were committee members, elected by voters or appointed by party leaders, but whose names weren't on the official party logs. Once the ballots were opened, the two were found to be legitimate endorsement voters, while three other provisional voters, including former Mayor Sophie Masloff, were found to be ineligible.

Ms. Masloff is a member of the state committee but not the county committee.

Mr. Pokora said he might go to court to challenge the committee's decision to accept the provisional ballots, arguing that there was nothing in the committee bylaws allowing that method of voting. He said he had not decided whether to continue his bid if Mr. Lamb's endorsement win stands.

City Council President Doug Shields finished third for controller but won the party nod for re-election to council over school board member Theresa Colaizzi.

Ms. Carlisle, whose spending records are under review by District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr., lost out to Rachel Cooper, a media relations pro and daughter of District Judge Kevin Cooper. Ms. Cooper had 41 votes to 24 for Leah Kirkland and 21 for Ms. Carlisle.

Council incumbents Darlene Harris, Jeff Koch and Len Bodack handily won endorsements over their challengers.

In county races, acting Sheriff William Mullen beat Tony Costa, a retired Swissvale police lieutenant, 1,345 to 452.

County Council incumbents took a beating, with member Joan Cleary of Brentwood losing to John Palmiere by an 82-78 margin, member Brenda Frazier of Stanton Heights losing to Matt Arena, and recently appointed member William Lestitian of Brookline finishing well behind Jim Ellenbogen. Incumbent Bob Macey held off challenger Jay Jabbour in the other contested County Council endorsement race.

Of a dozen candidates seeking endorsements for four open seats on Common Pleas Court, Mike McCarthy, Arnie Klein, Jack McVay and Wrenna Watson received them.

In two races for the Pittsburgh Public Schools board, Stephanie Tecza won the endorsement over Heather Arnet and incumbent Dan Romaniello lost decisively to challenger Sherry Hazuda.

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Correction/Clarification: (Published Mar. 7, 2007) On Feb. 4, 2007, 1,948 members of the Allegheny County Democratic Committee voted on candidate endorsements. This story as originally published Feb. 5, 2007 understated the number of voters.