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Allegheny County Council

Allegheny County Council gets its first woman president.

Written by Amy Whipple

For the first time in its 26-year history, a woman will lead Allegheny County Council.

Council unanimously elected Council Member Michelle Naccarati-Chapkis of Plum as its new president at the May 26 meeting.

“Progress is not a single moment; it is a pattern we choose to continue,” said Naccarati-Chapkis, who has been a member of council since 2022.

“The challenges before us are real, but so is our capacity to meet them,” she said. She noted the need for a balanced budget, the proposed property tax reassessment and residents’ needs such as housing, among others. “I believe we do our best when we remember who we’re working for and why it matters.”

Former president, Council Member Pat Catena of Carnegie stepped down from the position on May 22.

At the May 12 meeting, residents and some members of council called for Catena to step down — or be removed — from the position. They did so in response to a campaign mailer sent to households in the 45th Legislative District. It included a line that his primary opponent, Brittany Bloam, was supported by “an extreme left group that advocates for transgender athletes in our sports.” (He lost to Bloam in the May 19 primary election.)

Catena will remain a member of council.

Connections to this story

Elected officials:
Michelle Naccarati-Chapkis
Topics:
Government & Accountability
Governments:
Allegheny County Council
Public meetings:
Allegheny County Council Regular Meeting · May 26, 2026

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Allegheny County Council

Council president removal vote expected May 26.

Allegheny County Council is preparing to remove Member Pat Catena of Carnegie from the president’s seat because of a mailer sent by his campaign for state representative.