Strassburger Wins Pittsburgh City Council Special Election

Follow KDKA-TV: Facebook | Twitter

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- With an overwhelming majority, candidate Erika Strassburger has won a special election to fill Pittsburgh's eighth district City Council seat.

Voters headed to the polls Tuesday to make their choice between the four candidates on the ballot. And, Strassburger, an Independent, drew more votes than all of her competitors combined.

She will now succeed Dan Gilman, who resigned his Council seat to become Mayor Bill Peduto's chief of staff. Strassburger had been chief of staff for Gilman. She will now fill the remainder of his term

District 8 covers Shadyside and parts of Oakland, Point Breeze and Squirrel Hill.

A few Election Day hiccups were reported in Shadyside, where the judge of elections didn't show up. As a result, they had to turn away more than a dozen voters early Tuesday morning. After almost two hours of confusion, workers resolved the issue and voters were then able to cast their ballots.

KDKA's Meghan Schiller Reports:

Meanwhile, the candidates were excited for the election.

"I think I'm excited for the innovation and progress that's happening in Pittsburgh. I just think we need to act with a sense of urgency. Just get in there, bring some transparency, bring some accountability and bring some action," Sonja Finn said.

Strassburger was backed by Mayor Peduto and Allegheny County Chief Executive Rich Fitzgerald, and said she felt confident heading into Election Day.

"Just a really exciting day. I think we worked really hard, and I'm confident going into today," she said.

With Strassburger's win, this also marks the first time District 8 has elected a female candidate.

The only Republican in the race, Rennick Remley, said he was also pushing for transparency.

"First thing's first, I need to get out there with a shovel and keep my campaign promises and fix those pot holes," he said.

The polls closed at 8 p.m.