The Northside Chronicle’s 2022 Primary Election Guide
The Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, May 17, 2022. Do you know your candidates? Here’s a Q&A with those running in the top races affecting the Northside.
By: NSC Staff
Photo by Sora Shimazaki via Pexels
This Q&A has been edited for length and clarity. Find your full sample ballot here.
Important Dates & Deadlines:
Register to vote by May 2, 2022.
Request your absentee or mail-in ballot by May 10, 2022 at 5 p.m.
Completed ballots must be received (postmarks are not enough) by the county election office by May 17, 2022 at 8 p.m.
Polls are open on election day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Information provided by the Pennsylvania Department of State at vote.pa.gov.
PENNSYLVANIA STATE HOUSE 19TH DISTRICT CANDIDATES:
Aerion Abney
Incumbent, Democratic Party
www.voteaerionabney.com
The Northside Chronicle: Why are you running to represent District 19 of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives?
Aerion Abney: I believe District 19 is the most diverse House District in Allegheny County and Western Pa. Diversity of opinion, experiences, race, socioeconomic status, and more. I’m running because I want to help create a future that works for us all. I want to use my position as a sphere of influence to help change the reality of struggle for people that have been denied access to opportunities over and over again.
NSC: Describe the experience you bring to this position.
AA: As a social worker, I’ve been trained to be an advocate for others; as a state Representative, I continue that advocacy as a champion for my district. I am very familiar with the district as I’ve served as a legislative assistant for District 19 in the past and have an understanding of how Harrisburg works. Additionally, I served as a program officer with the POISE Foundation where I provided grants to nonprofit organizations all across Allegheny County, allowing me to better understand the various social services that currently exist and/or where gaps might exist. Prior to being elected as state Representative, I worked as the Pennsylvania Director of Special Projects with All Voting is Local, a nonpartisan voting rights and election administration group dedicated to expanding access to the ballot for voters.
NSC: Where, in Pittsburgh and the Northside, do you see the political landscape heading in the next two to four years?
AA: As a Northside resident (Manchester), I’m excited to see how it develops and its impact on the City as a whole. I foresee the future political landscape to be composed of more young leaders, more black and brown leaders, and more women in leadership positions. I think the issue of development without displacement, while not revelatory, will be much more pronounced in the very near future. Additionally, I see a more universal acceptance of moving towards a clean green environment that includes everything from health equity zones to energy-efficient solar neighborhoods.
NSC: What does the Northside need in a representative?
AA: Someone who will have the interest of the Northside at heart. Someone that understands what distinguishes Northside neighborhoods and what they have in common. We deserve a champion in Harrisburg who will be unapologetic about bringing resources back from Harrisburg that will come back to the communities. I have been an advocate for the Northside and continue to be, as its current state Representative.
NSC: Due to Pennsylvania’s recent redistricting, the Northside has gone from having two representatives in the past to now, having three. How will you manage working with the other two Northside representatives while also serving your entire district?
AA: I’ve had several meetings and conversations with my colleagues, Reps. Innamorato and Kinkead, and we have established a great working relationship. There is a genuine commitment from the three of us to advocate for our entire districts, and when appropriate—like in the case of the Northside—to use our collective voices and influence to bring needed resources back to the community. I look forward to working with my two colleagues and the community to ensure that the Northside doesn’t feel left out or left behind in this new Pittsburgh.
Glenn Grayson
Democratic Party
PENNSYLVANIA STATE HOUSE 20TH DISTRICT CANDIDATES:
Emily Kinkead
Incumbent, Democratic Party
www.emily4pa20.com
The Northside Chronicle: Why are you running to represent District 20 of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives?
Emily Kinkead: I am running to be able to continue the work that I started in 2020. I ran initially because I wanted to be a voice for our communities and a zealous advocate in Harrisburg to fight for the resources that we need and push back against the bad policies that the Republican majority have been pushing instead. Onboarding as a state representative is a grueling process in the best of circumstances, but I had to do it during a global pandemic. Still, I was able to bring back nearly $16 million to my district in my first 16 months in office. I’m running for re-election because I know that I can continue to deliver for District 20.
NSC: Describe the experience you bring to this position.
EK: I am an attorney by training and spent two years serving as a judicial law clerk on the Commonwealth Court, which handles agency appeals (like unemployment) and election cases (like voter ID and Trump’s “Big Lie” election fraud claims), before entering private practice and working in criminal defense. I have experience representing low-income tenants in landlord-tenant disputes, immigrants seeking asylum, and advocating on behalf of HIV-positive individuals in discrimination cases. I continue to serve as an arbitrator and mediator of landlord-tenant actions for the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas.
Prior to going to law school, I worked in D.C. on various policy issues including campaign finance reform, gerrymandering reform, and disability rights advocacy, in addition to working at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Legislative Policy and Analysis, which analyzes how federal legislation would impact medical research and advocates for ongoing investment in medical research from Congress.
All of this experience allowed me to hit the ground running when I first came to Harrisburg and landed me key committee appointments on both the powerful Appropriations and Judiciary Committees. Appropriations allows me to directly advocate for spending that will help the most Pennsylvanians, especially as we look to spend the $7 billion in American Rescue Plan money from the federal government. Judiciary allows me to be a vocal advocate for criminal justice reform, to push back against legislation that will make guns easier to access and make our streets less safe, and to protect our courts from ongoing attacks led by the Republican majority that seek to curtail their independence from the Legislature. I serve on the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, where I have been advocating for investment in a more robust intrastate food supply chain that would both support our local farms and also address issues of food insecurity. I also serve on the Human Services Committee, which allows me to advocate for better and more competitive pay for our direct support professionals who care for persons with disabilities and provide behavioral health and addiction treatment services.
I have a breadth and depth of knowledge that allow me to understand the complex issues that come before us in Harrisburg, as well as a deep commitment to my community to continue to be an outspoken and zealous advocate for the needs of District 20 and all of Pennsylvania.
NSC: Where, in Pittsburgh and the Northside, do you see the political landscape heading in the next two to four years?
EK: Pittsburgh—and the Northside in particular—has seen a renaissance occurring over the last few years. Bobby Wilson, Liv Bennett, Bethany Hallam, Ed Gainey, Aerion Abney, and myself came in on a wave of change that is not slowing down. It’s interesting to consider that just 10 years ago, nearly every member of the Allegheny County Democratic Delegation to the State House was openly pro-life/anti-choice. Now, our delegation is almost entirely pro-choice. Only in 2020 did we elect more women to the delegation than white men named Dan (Miller, Frankel, Deasy). In the next two to four years, I expect that the pushback against this change that Rep. Summer Lee, Rep. Jessica Benham, and I have experienced will lessen as we make room for new voices and new faces. As a result, Pittsburgh will collectively take its next step in progress to be inclusive and livable for all.
NSC: What does the Northside need in a representative?
EK: In the simplest terms, the Northside needs a representative who sees and believes in its potential. Part of the reason that this Northside renaissance is happening is because we have a group of elected leaders now who see and believe exactly that and who work together closely, and communicate up and down the different levels of government. We are not content to let progress happen to the Northside whenever and however, but want to drive progress in a way that makes sense for the people who currently live on the Northside and who can and should make the Northside their home. We work closely with our neighborhood community groups to give them the support and resources they need to develop their areas in a way that honors the history of the area while welcoming new folks of all economic backgrounds to join in. Any representative of the Northside should be prepared to do the same.
NSC: Due to Pennsylvania’s recent redistricting, the Northside has gone from having two representatives in the past to now, having three. How will you manage working with the other two Northside representatives while also serving your entire district?
EK: Both District 19 and District 21 are picking up areas of the Northside that are currently in District 20. I believe that it is incumbent upon me to ensure a warm handoff so that the representatives of those districts (currently Rep. Aerion Abney of HD-19 and Rep. Sara Innamorato of HD-21) understand the needs and unique characteristics of each neighborhood, as well as the history of work that my office has done there so that there is a seamless transition. Nevertheless, I love all of the Northside, and because the Northside is an area that frequently transcends its 18 to 20 (depending on how you divide it and who you ask) neighborhoods, working together to advocate and secure resources for our Northside communities is going to require an all-hands-on-deck approach. I have a great relationship with both Rep. Abney and Rep. Innamorato and foresee us accomplishing great things together if we are all re-elected.
Currently, I or a member of my staff attends every neighborhood group meeting in my district and every council meeting of every municipality that I represent outside the City (Avalon, Bellevue, Ross, and West View). That will not change. And we certainly know that redistricting is confusing, so no matter whose district any constituent is in, we will offer service to each and every person who calls, emails, or walks into our office looking for assistance.
Nick Mastros
Democratic Party
www.nickmastros.com
The Northside Chronicle: Why are you running to represent District 20 of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives?
Dan McClain, Chair of the Committee to Elect Nick Mastros: Nick is running for office because his goal is to bring meaningful community revitalization to the new 20th District by listening to the needs of the residents of Avalon, Bellevue, Brighton Heights, Perry North, Ross, and West View, as well as working with local community officials to prioritize and fight for the betterment of our community. Nick stated, “I am running for office because it is my intent to bring impactful change to the 20th District and make a positive difference in the lives of our residents, businesses, and schools.”
NSC: Describe the experience you bring to this position.
DM: Nick is a local business owner who is best known for his restaurant, the Allegheny Sandwich Shoppe on Western Avenue in the Northside. Nick established this neighborhood cornerstone in 1981. His hard work, perseverance, and grit has sustained the business through ever changing economic conditions and challenges for over 40 years. As a businessman, Nick brings a skillset and life experiences that can contribute to making government more efficient and effective. For over four decades, the restaurant has served as an informal community forum where very diverse individuals have expressed and often hotly debated a broad range of topics, issues, and ideas. This has provided Nick with a unique perspective and understanding of the community at large. Nick intends to use this experience, along with over 30 years of raising a family and living in this district, to represent the residents of the new 20th District by serving as a representative who will truly listen to their needs and expand constituent services.
NSC: Where, in Pittsburgh and the Northside, do you see the political landscape heading in the next two to four years?
DM: The population continues to grow, with many diverse voices, who should all be heard equally. As a State Representative, my number one focus will be to ensure that the residents of District 20 have a representative who is available in their communities, make certain that each of their communities receive exceptional services, and to serve as a voice in Harrisburg to represent their best interests. In addition, strong representation can facilitate new development resulting in the Northside’s advancement as a safe and secure place to live for all income levels.
NSC: What does the Northside need in a representative?
DM: The new 20th District comprises several communities both within and outside of the City of Pittsburgh. If elected, Nick intends to provide the same attention and focus to all residents within the 20th District, including Brighton Heights and Perry North. Like all communities, these residents should benefit from broader constituent services, business stimulus, infrastructure repair and improvement, public safety, as well as enhanced education.
NSC: Due to Pennsylvania’s recent redistricting, the Northside has gone from having two representatives in the past to now, having three. How will you manage working with the other two Northside representatives while also serving your entire district?
DM: Nick’s immediate priority, if elected, is to join forces with local officials, including the other Northside State Representatives, to identify, prioritize, and fight for our community’s needs. Nick continues to reach out to all local elected officials to introduce himself and provide his contact information, should he be elected. He will make it a priority to collaborate with those peers and maintain active and open lines of communication that could potentially result in enhanced services to the Northside—perhaps starting with joint town halls. In order to advance the best interests of our collective communities in District 20, cooperative efforts are key to ensuring the Northside is well represented in Harrisburg. We must work together.
PENNSYLVANIA STATE HOUSE 21ST DISTRICT:
Sara Innamorato
Incumbent, Democratic Party
www.saraforpa.com
The Northside Chronicle: Why are you running to represent District 21 of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives?
Sara Innamorato: As a lifelong Pittsburgher, I’ve seen how the dedicated community members have rebuilt this city. I’ve also seen who it’s left behind. I am running for re-election to continue the work we have started to support policies that will empower the voices of residents of our communities and work to improve the standard of living for working families.
I hope to continue our work to include the priorities of residents of Northside as we create a Pennsylvania that will benefit us all.
NSC: Describe the experience you bring to this position.
SI: I bring nearly four years of experience in the role, spending almost half of my time in office during a global pandemic where our communities saw an unprecedented need. During the height of the pandemic, our office sprung into action, creating weekly check-in meetings for our community and borough leaders, building coalitions to develop strategies to lessen the impact of COVID-19 on our neighbors, and hosting virtual events to inform constituents and local businesses of available recovery resources. During that time, my staff and I answered thousands of phone calls from people desperately trying to access unemployment compensation, rental assistance, and SNAP. We worked with our network to help our neighbors resolve issues or connect to services.
Before my time in office, I worked for many years at a nonprofit where we worked with residents to help gain access to vacant, blighted land and transform it into productive, inclusive green spaces. It was beautiful to see many of those projects still going strong and residents growing their projects. Even as a nonprofit professional, I saw the need to work inside communities to create programming that empowered and elevated citizens’ voices and encouraged them to take more prominent roles in investing in our neighborhoods, block by block. I hope to continue to build relationships by coordinating with existing organizations and groups to create innovative solutions to complex problems.
NSC: Where, in Pittsburgh and the Northside, do you see the political landscape heading in the next two to four years?
SI: I love my work as a legislator because it allows me to hear, learn, and understand our constituents’ issues. However, only when you start building meaningful relationships with the community will you be able to recognize the challenges that resonate with many areas of my District. These challenges include limited safe, dignified, and affordable housing; concerns about poor air quality and clean water; rising health care costs; inadequate funding for public infrastructure; and limited educational opportunities. Only through collaboration with communities can we start learning from each other our major policy failures and begin to build legislation that supports the working families of the Northside and our region.
I genuinely believe we can create inclusive, positive change only if our political systems include people who have been historically excluded from the decision-making process. In the last several years, it’s been encouraging to see community members become more involved in local politics. As the founder of She Runs SWPA, I know the importance of including diverse voices and experiences in electoral politics.
While the reality is that there are still challenges in building consensus, we have so much to learn from one another even when we don’t agree with one another. A transparent, democratic, public dialogue is necessary to find the most robust solutions to our most significant challenges.
NSC: What does the Northside need in a representative?
SI: I’m looking forward to representing several Northside neighborhoods. Since it is new to the District, I still have a lot of listening sessions with residents and community leaders to get up to speed on what community projects and priorities exist. My philosophy is that projects shouldn’t happen to communities but with communities. The Northside needs a representative that can uplift the voices and experiences of everyday people when we draft our legislative priorities. The personal stories I hear from my constituents are how I begin my legislating process. Then, I work with organizations and experts to help inform and craft it.
To live that out, my team and I plan on continuing to knock on doors throughout our District to get an individual perspective. From the brief conversations I’ve had with local leaders and residents as a new member of the URA board, I’ve heard that residents are concerned about addressing blight, strengthening our Main Streets, and preserving and building affordable housing to prevent the displacement of longtime residents. As a member of the Urban Affairs Committee in Harrisburg, we’ve already been working on legislation that would give communities more tools to deal with these issues.
NSC: Due to Pennsylvania’s recent redistricting, the Northside has gone from having two representatives in the past to now, having three. How will you manage working with the other two Northside representatives while also serving your entire district?
SI: As a member of the legislative body, I can’t do anything without working with other elected leaders of all levels of government. As an elected representative, I know I cannot do anything without the support and buy-in of our communities. Rep. Kinkead and I already share a few communities, and our offices have collaborated with those communities to ensure that constituents have access to state services.
I am looking forward to collaborating with recently elected Rep. Aerion Abney to develop programming to help constituents in our districts. As Vice-Chair of the Allegheny County Democratic Delegation, I’ve seen that collaboration and communication make us a more vital asset to the communities that we represent throughout the county.
Additionally, I aim to work with all levels of government-elected officials to make sure all residents have opportunities to voice concerns in their neighborhoods. Coordinating with neighborhood, city, state, and federal offices will ensure the priorities of our residents are heard and referred to the office which can best assist their needs.
Frank Perman
Republican Party
The Northside Chronicle: Why are you running to represent District 21 of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives?
Frank Perman: Did you ever have a feeling, deep down in your heart and mind that things were not right? That they could be better? Are things alright with government, the economy, inflation, and our education and tax systems? I don’t think so. I know that now is a critical time for our country, state, and community, and we all must come together to work toward a better tomorrow. I am willing to make the personal sacrifice necessary to serve. I think about the world I can help leave to my family. Did I do better? Can I do better? I’m running to help people. This race is to support individuals with their hopes, dreams, and aspirations. I hope to get government to effectively respond to circumstances affecting real people. Sometimes government needs to be in the way of situations, [at other times…] government [needs to get] out of the way. Being an effective state Representative is knowing the difference. I will be an effective leader and advocate for our community.
NSC: Describe the experience you bring to this position.
FP: As a husband and father, I learned patience, negotiation skills, time management, empathy, and love. As a community leader, I have taught life skills, fairness, and good judgment. I have learned about problems in various communities, issues affecting families and individuals, real charity, appreciation, and personal thanksgiving. As a business owner, I have learned budgeting, realistic projections, hiring, marketing, public relations, and finance. As a funeral director, I have helped those in the greatest need at the worst of times in an unfamiliar situation. I have been exposed to the best and the worst the world can throw at someone.
NSC: Where, in Pittsburgh and the Northside, do you see the political landscape heading in the next two to four years?
FP: Currently, I see disagreement and division within communities. Public safety must be a priority along with bringing hope and opportunity to those communities in need. A leader needs to work with those of differing views, bring them together for the common good, and use their skills and leadership to bring… opportunity to as many as possible. We must move our city forward together.
NSC: What does the Northside need in a representative?
FP: The Northside needs a representative willing to listen and not show up only at election time. As a community leader, it is critical to show that objectives can be accomplished, people can be helped, and everyday life can be made better through learning and leading. We need a community-minded leader willing to stand up in Harrisburg to the political machines that are in it only for themselves. I believe I have the community leadership qualifications and the life experiences to make a difference for my fellow citizens. Extreme ideology should take a back seat to making life better and cleaning up our broken and failure-ridden state government.
NSC: Due to Pennsylvania’s recent redistricting, the Northside has gone from having two representatives in the past to now, having three. How will you manage working with the other two Northside representatives while also serving your entire district?
FP: As state Representative, I would be in the majority party in the State House. I believe this is a unique chance for the Northside to be the example of moving the state forward and out of the old ways of the past that no longer work for the people of our area. The clout by being in the majority would be huge in terms of the ability to negotiate resources for community projects and initiatives. This would be an opportunity to work together for the betterment of the Northside and build coalitions across the political spectrum to deliver for the people to better our schools, strengthen law enforcement, and provide opportunities for high-wage jobs and small businesses.
