Carpenter and community organizer Randy Zotter officially announced his candidacy for Pittsburgh city council this afternoon, the second candidate to announce a challenge against sitting councilor Darlene Harris.
Zotter, who lives in the Mexican War Streets, has served "for the past 30 years" in positions including director of the Northside Community Development Fund, President of the Pittsburgh Neighborhood Alliance, President of the Central Northside Council and board president of the Manchester Academic Charter School, according to a press release.
“I have tremendous support [...] on the North Side, and I look forward to working with all of you to become our next representative on City Council. I will be a candidate for positive change."
An alumnus of Point Park and Carnegie Mellon universities, Zotter will face
Spring Hill resident Bobby Wilson in the May Democratic primary. Both men will square off against Harris, one of council's most consistently vocal critics of mayor Bill Peduto.
The full release after the jump.
Pittsburgh, PA – Surrounded by his family, friends and supporters at the Allegheny Elks Lodge #339, Community Organizer and Licensed Carpenter, Randy Zotter announced that he would be seeking the Democratic Nomination for City Council, District 1 The seat is currently held by Darlene Harris. The Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, May 19th.
In addition to being a Carpenter known for helping to rebuild his community, Randy Zotter has served the Northside in various capacities for the past 30 years, including positions such as Director of the Northside Community Development Fund, President of the Pittsburgh Neighborhood Alliance, President of the Central Northside Council and Board President of the Manchester Academic Charter School.
“I am proud of what we have been able to accomplish through years of hard work,” said Zotter, addressing his crowd of supporters. “I have tremendous support in this room and on the Northside, and I look forward to working with all of you to become our next representative on City Council. I will be a candidate for positive change.”
Randy Zotter attended Carnegie Mellon University and Point Park University, and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. He has received numerous awards and commendations for his service to the Northside. He has received the Jefferson Medal from the American Institute of Public Service, the Neighborhood Citizen of the Year from both the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and WPXI TV and the Northside Man of the Year from the Northside Leadership Conference.
“I have always lived by the philosophy that we are all in this together,” said Zotter. “I take community service very seriously. The former Mayor and the current Mayor are going to try and influence who our next Council Person is. I am going to take my message of community engagement to the neighborhoods and let the voters decide.”
Randy Zotter and his wife, Leslie Ward, Director of Recruiting and Operations at Hire Quest Resources, a staff augmentation company specializing in Healthcare IT, have lived on the historic Mexican War Streets for over 30 years. Their daughter, Findlay lives in Brooklyn, and works in the TV and movie industry.
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