Allegheny County executive candidates raise more than $3 million
The candidates for Allegheny County executive have raised more than $3 million in campaign funds this year, according to recently released reports.
Six Democrats are facing off in a primary next week. The winner will face Republican Joe Rockey in November.
The candidates benefited from Pennsylvania's lack of any limits for campaign contributions.
County Treasurer John Weinstein was the top fundraiser, collecting $1.3 million. His top contributors were the Operating Engineers and Steamfitters local unions, who each gave $100,000.
Next was state Rep. Sara Innamorato, who raised $842,000. Her top contributors were the Service Employees International Union, which gave $286,000, and the PA United political action committee, which donated $149,000.
Former county council member Dave Fawcett raised $630,000, with $349,000 coming from loans he gave the campaign.
City Controller Michael Lamb collected $627,000. His largest donations came from incumbent County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, who has endorsed Lamb. Fitzgerald's campaign fund gave Lamb $75,000 in cash and $100,000 worth of advertising.
Former Pittsburgh school board member Theresa Sciulli Colaizzi reported just $100 in donations. Activist Will Parker had no contributions.
Rockey, who is unopposed in the Republican primary, raised $209,000. Nearly half of that amount, $100,000, came from Rockey himself.
Going into the last week of the primary, Weinstein led all Democratic candidates in the amount of cash in the bank with $391,000, followed by Innamorato with $226,000, Fawcett with $148,000 and Lamb with $111,000.