Mt. Lebanon woman expected to fill vacancy on Allegheny County Council

March 5, 2013 2:38 pm

Share with others:

Mt. Lebanon resident and potential first-time office holder Krista Harris will stand tonight as the Republican nomineee to fill the seat of former county council member Vince Gastgeb.

If she is confirmed by council vote, the 28-year-old would become the youngest county council member.

"She's a young woman with a young family," said council member Jan Rea, R-McCandless, the head of council's Republican caucus. "I think there certainly is a different perspective coming from someone in her age group."

Ms. Harris works as the fundraising director at ColdSpark Media, a political consulting agency headed by her husband Mark Harris, former campaign manager for U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey.

She previously worked as the executive assistant for U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach, R-Chester County, Ms. Rea said. She's completed a year-long training program sponsored by the Republican National Committee that encourages young Republican women to run for office.

Mr. Gastgeb stepped down in February after taking a job at Pittsburgh International Airport, which council indirectly oversees.

If approved by council, Harris has said she will run for election in November, Rea said.

Andrew McGill: amcgill@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1497.
First Published March 5, 2013 2:37 pm

Join the conversation:

Commenting policy | How to report abuse
Commenting policy | How to report abuse
To report inappropriate comments, abuse and/or repeat offenders, please send an email to socialmedia@post-gazette.com and include a link to the article and a copy of the comment. Your report will be reviewed in a timely manner. Thank you.

PG Products