Low Voter Turnout Theme In 2011 Pa. Primary
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The 2011 Pennsylvania Primary is in the books and low voter turnout was the theme for the day, even though a few key races were up for decision.
A whopping 80 percent of voters bypassed the election, but the results still count. Those who did vote chose nominees for county and municipal offices, school directors and judges.
One of the most visible races was who will replace Dan Onorato as Allegheny County Chief Executive?
Rich Fitzgerald pulled out the win for the Democratic nomination over Mark Patrick Flaherty. Fitzgerald pulled in 56 percent to Flaherty's 44 percent.
Fitzgerald says if elected he would work to unify the government and create jobs.
"We're going to unify this party, we're going to unify this region and we are going to move forward," said Fitzgerald. "We are going to continue to create jobs, we're going to continue to reform government, we're going to continue to streamline our government, hold our taxes down. It's something I'm committed to."
So come November, Fitzgerald, who is the former president of Allegheny County Council, will face software entrepreneur and Mount Lebanon Commissioner D. Raja.
Raja rolled to victory in his Republican race against Chuck McCullough.
"What's going to happen is people are going to see what the vision and the message that we take through. It's when they see that they have jobs for their kids and grandkids to stay here, when they can see that they have bus routes to go to their doctors and to work. It doesn't matter, they are going to support whose going to make that happen for them," Raja said.
So we now have two entrepreneurs, Raja and Fitzgerald, both businessmen who made millions, running for this region's top job.
RELATED LINKS:
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's County Elections Map
2011 Primary Election Returns By County
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