McDonald Roberts to seek county controller nomination
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Valerie McDonald Roberts, the manager of the Allegheny County's department of real estate, said she plans to seek the Democratic nomination for county controller.
Mark Patrick Flaherty, the incumbent controller, is expected to make a formal announcement soon on his anticipated candidacy for county executive.
Ms. Roberts' interest in the seat added one more piece to the emerging mosaic of the local 2011 ballot. County Executive Dan Onorato has said that he will announce soon whether he will bounce back from his defeat in the governor's race by seeking a third term in the top county job.
Shawn Flaherty, the controller's cousin, has said that Mark Flaherty will run for the Democratic nomination for the post regardless of Mr. Onorato's decision.
At least three Democrats -- so far, no Republicans -- are interested in the controller's job. State Rep. Chelsa Wagner, of Beechview, and Nick Kotik, of Robinson, said on Wednesday they were likely to run for controller. George Matta, a former clerk of courts employed by The Rivers Casino, is also considering the race.
Ms. McDonald Roberts is a former Pittsburgh school board and City Council member. She served as recorder of deeds before the county post was abolished with the consolidation of the county's row offices. In 2006, she challenged the late Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll for the Democratic nomination for the number two state, but Ms. Knoll won a comfortable victory in the primary.
First Published January 7, 2011 12:00 am
