Democrats Costanzo, Martino, Maggio Win Spots on November Ballot

Onnie Costanzo, John Maggio and Valerie Martino won the three slots on the Democratic ballot for the November election, according to unofficial elections results from the Allegheny County Elections Division.

Costanzo, wife of former council president Joe Costanzo, and Martino, the sister-in-law of Phil Ross, whom council demoted from police chief to sergeant, ran on a public safety platform, and without the endorsement of the Dormont Democratic Committee.

"Obviously, people want a change. People want a government that they can respect, that they can look up to and they work with. Someone who's for the people," Costanzo said while celebrating at the .

"Whatever happens in November, whoever I'm with, I hope we all make some good," Martino said.

Martino said she would be an advocate for transparency if elected.

"A lot of people, when I campaigned in the borough, said there wasn't enough transparency on council," she said.

The VFW crowd—which included Mayor Tom Lloyd and his wife Bert, Ross, councilwoman Joan Hodson and her husband James, who ran as one of three unopposed Republicans for the GOP ticket—was upbeat, but across the street at Mexi-Casa, a would-be victory celebration was as downcast as much of the day.

Maggio, who is seeking his second term, ran on the endorsed ticket with fellow councilman Drew Lehman and James Keaney, who was running in his first political race.

Maggio, though he won a ballot spot, was quiet. He said he felt bad for his running mates.

Lehman blamed low-voter turnout. Across the regions, election officials blamed rain for what they said seemed to be a low turnout, even for a primary of largely local races.

"They had a hot button issue (public safety) and they were able to get everybody all hot and bothered by that," he said. "The people that would normally vote, the people who don't have a feel for it one way or the other obviously didn't come out."

"What I hope they don't do is take today's results and consider it a referendum for their ideas," Keaney said. "They didn't bring many ideas to the table. They ran on the whole public safety thing and hiring more cops, which really isn't what Dormont needs. Dormont needs to take care of a lot more of the details and infrastructure."

Maggio said his concern was "they worked with Republicans during the primary and they're going to work with Republicans during the general election."

According to unofficial results, Costanzo earned 530 votes, Martino and Maggio each got 519 votes, Lehman had 494 votes and Keaney garnered 467 votes.

Costanzo, Martino and Maggio will appear on the ballot with the three Republicans who ran unopposed: council President Kim Lusardi, who switched party registration earlier this year; Hodson and Robert Hutchison, who has previously unsuccessfully run for council.

Voters may choose candidates for three seats that will be open.