Allegheny Co. Dems Pushing Votes For Deceased Councilwoman Still On Ballot

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Supporters of a Democratic Allegheny County councilwoman who died earlier this month are still touting her in next week's primary as a tribute to her - and a rebuke to County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, who has been supporting her opponent.

Barbara Daly Danko, 61, died of cancer May 6. She had been an ally of Fitzgerald - also a Democrat - until they parted company because he favored natural gas drilling beneath county parks and she didn't.

That's one reason why Fitzgerald is supporting 68-year-old Caroline Mitchell for the party nomination for Danko's seat, one of 15 on the council which governs Pittsburgh and its suburbs.

If Danko wins the primary, party committee members from her district can pick a candidate to run in the November election. No Republicans are running in the heavily-Democratic district.

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