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Allegheny County Council

Council president removal vote expected May 26.

Written by Amy Whipple

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.

Council Member DeWitt Walton of the Hill District called for a vote to oust him as president during the May 12 meeting, but the law wouldn’t allow a swift removal.

The mailer, sent to households in the 45th Legislative District which is represented by state Rep. Anita Astorino Kulik, who is retiring from the seat, included a line that his primary opponent, Brittany Bloam, was supported by “an extreme left group that advocates for transgender athletes in our sports.”

Sixteen county residents spoke out against the anti-transgender message of the mailer during the public comment portion of the council meeting.

The speakers spent almost an hour calling for Catena to step down as president or resign from council altogether. Speakers pointed out the vulnerability of the trans population as well as trans youths’ increased risk of being victims of violence and suicide.

Catena apologized for the mailers prior to the meeting as well as made a personal $500 donation to local nonprofit TransYOUniting PGH.

But the nonprofit sent it back. Saint-Osei McClendon, speaking on behalf of TransYOUniting, said, “We returned the money because our community is not for sale.”

According to the rules of council, a new president can be chosen by a simple majority. State law prohibits council, however, from voting on non-agenda items.

“If you want to delay it by two weeks, I suggest that President Catena resign tonight. Right now,” said Walton. “We’re going to do this next two weeks, regardless of how you try to delay.”

According to The Trib, almost four dozen residents attended the meeting. The next morning, seven council members issued a joint statement calling for Catena to step down. Walton did not sign the statement.

Council’s next scheduled meeting is May 26.

Connections to this story

Elected officials:
DeWitt Walton
Topics:
Government & Accountability
Governments:
Allegheny County Council
Public meetings:
Allegheny County Council Regular Meeting · May 12, 2026

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