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Councilwoman Theresa Kail-Smith smiles during the "Feed the Children" handout in the  Mountain View Apartment Complex on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2019, in Crafton Heights.
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Pittsburgh City Council: Incumbents Kail-Smith, Coghill appear to cruise to victory in primary races

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pittsburgh City Council: Incumbents Kail-Smith, Coghill appear to cruise to victory in primary races

The president of Pittsburgh City Council and the Beechview Democrat who chairs the Public Works committee were beating their primary challengers by wide margins Tuesday, increasing the likelihood that the legislative body will look exactly the same as a new mayoral term begins next year.

Council President Theresa Kail-Smith, D-Westwood, was beating challenger Jacob Williamson 70% to 30% as of 5 a.m. Wednesday, with about 93% of precincts reporting in the primary for the 2nd District.

Mr. Williamson said late Tuesday that he wasn’t conceding yet.

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In the 4th District race, Councilman Anthony Coghill appeared to defeat Bethani Cameron, 62% to 37%, with 100% of precincts reporting as of 5 a.m. Wednesday.

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Ms. Cameron could not be reached for comment Tuesday night.

With no Republicans filed in either race and the benefit of a major-party ballot spot in a dark blue city, both winners would be on a fast track to easily win their seats in November without much of a contest — barring a significant independent challenge.

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ELECTION RESULTS: Click here for the latest Allegheny County tallies

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To get closer to another term, Ms. Kail-Smith leaned into her longtime connections in the community and the camaraderie she's built on council that led her to the presidency at the beginning of 2020. Her district encompasses neighborhoods to the south and west of Downtown, including the West End, East Carnegie and Sheraden.

Mr. Williamson serves as director of engagement of Archangel Gabriel Parish in Robinson, and alleged the district hasn't gotten enough resources over the councilwoman's tenure. He said he would be a better advocate.

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In the Democratic race for the city's southern neighborhoods, Mr. Coghill appeared to convince enough voters that he's followed through on his vow four years ago to modernize the district's infrastructure. He focused his re-election campaign on the importance of paving roads, demolishing dilapidated eyesores and making improvements in snow removal in the district — which stretches from Broadway Avenue in Beechview, up through Brookline and over to Carrick and Overbrook.

Ms. Cameron, an aide to former Councilwoman Natalia Rudiak and an advocate for public health and the environment, had accused the incumbent of providing tepid, surface-level leadership.

Councilmembers Daniel Lavelle and Erika Strassburger ran unopposed and won. No Republican candidates are filed in any of these districts.

Julian Routh: 412-263-1952, jrouth@post-gazette.com, Twitter @julianrouth.

First Published: May 19, 2021, 3:15 a.m.
Updated: May 19, 2021, 3:18 a.m.

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Councilwoman Theresa Kail-Smith smiles during the "Feed the Children" handout in the Mountain View Apartment Complex on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2019, in Crafton Heights.  (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
Pittsburgh City Councilman Anthony Coghill speaks during a news conference Feb. 19, 2020, at Allegheny County Democratic Headquarters in the West End.  (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
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