News

  • Master Builders’ Association Endorses Rockey

    Master Builders’ Association Endorses Rockey

    Represents 265 employers with 45,000 trades workers FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 1, 2023 PITTSBURGH – The Master Builders’ Association of Western Pennsylvania today endorsed Joe Rockey for Allegheny County Executive, citing the importance of reversing declines in population and a non-ideological agenda for economic growth. The group, headquartered in Green Tree, represents 265 employers in…

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  • Andrew Yang releases video urging residents of Allegheny County to #VoteRockey

    Andrew Yang releases video urging residents of Allegheny County to #VoteRockey

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  • Insulators union endorses Rockey, adding to labor support

    Insulators union endorses Rockey, adding to labor support

    Easy decision, says union business agent FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 25, 2023 PITTSBURGH – Joe Rockey’s campaign for Allegheny County Executive rang up another union endorsement this week, with an endorsement by the 1,000-member International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Local 2. “It wasn’t a hard decision,” said Jim Cassidy, the union’s…

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  • Rockey praises elections department, staff as vote nears

    Rockey praises elections department, staff as vote nears

    Calls on Innamorato to join in supporting current staff FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 20, 2023 PITTSBURGH – With two weeks to go before Election Day, County Executive nominee Joe Rockey today offered praise for the operation of the Allegheny County Department of Elections and called on his opponent to commit to making no changes in…

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  • Rockey widens labor support as Plumbers endorse

    Rockey widens labor support as Plumbers endorse

    Union says he’s best choice as candidate builds momentum FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 19, 2023 PITTSBURGH – Joe Rockey continued to rack up labor endorsements in his campaign for Allegheny County Executive this week, earning the endorsement of the 1,110-member Plumbers Union Local 27. “We looked at the candidates and it was clear that Joe…

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  • Steamfitters join other labor unions in endorsing Rockey

    Steamfitters join other labor unions in endorsing Rockey

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 15, 2023 Pittsburgh, Pa – Allegheny County Executive candidate Joe Rockey continued to add to his list of labor endorsements today when the 3,000-member strong Steamfitters Local 449 delivered an October endorsement. “We watched the candidates. We listened and we checked the record. Joe Rockey was the candidate who made it…

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  • Editorial: For optimism, for growth, for progress: Joe Rockey for Allegheny County Executive

    Editorial: For optimism, for growth, for progress: Joe Rockey for Allegheny County Executive

    THE EDITORIAL BOARD The Pittsburgh region faces a political choice more stark than it has in many years, and perhaps many decades. Allegheny County can choose to be inward- and backward-looking, satisfied with stagnation and timid in the face of a highly competitive marketplace for jobs and growth. Or it can choose to reach beyond…

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  • Brandon McGinley: Sara Innamorato’s no good, very bad week

    Brandon McGinley: Sara Innamorato’s no good, very bad week

    By BRANDON MCGINLEY Now is the time for members of the quiet, bipartisan Joe Rockey faction in Pittsburgh’s political class to make their move. World events have managed what no electoral opponent of local progressives has: placing a left-wing candidate, in this case former state representative Sara Innamorato, in a pincer between her perceived authenticity…

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  • Sara Innamorato condemns DSA’s comments about Israel and says she left the group years ago

    By Hallie Lauer Allegheny County executive candidate Sara Innamorato on Wednesday denounced statements by the Democratic Socialists of America about last weekend’s Hamas attack on Israel and said she broke with the far-left group years ago.  “I strongly denounce the recent anti-Israel actions and statements of national and local DSA chapters, which coldly ignores the gruesome attacks…

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  • Rockey backers launch Democrats for Rockey

    Rockey backers launch Democrats for Rockey

    Coalition includes former Dem hopefuls, dozens of party stalwarts FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 10, 2023 PITTSBURGH – Nearly 100 Allegheny County Democrats, including two former contenders for the party’s nomination, launched Democrats for Rockey today, amid warnings that their party is being overtaken by extremists, Democratic nominee Sara Innamorato chief among them. One after the…

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  • ‘It’s going to be close’: The race for Allegheny County executive enters the homestretch

    By Hallie Lauer The race for Allegheny County executive is shaping up to be more of a nail-biter than expected. With a two-to-one voter registration advantage, Democratic candidates have cruised into the county’s top office over the last 20 years, never winning less than 60% of the vote. In Dan Onorato’s first reelection campaign in…

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  • WTAE, League of Women Voters host Allegheny County executive debate

    WTAE, League of Women Voters host Allegheny County executive debate

    PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 hosted the second and final televised debate Tuesday night between the candidates for Allegheny County executive, partnering with the League of Women Voters and airing exclusively on WTAE. Republican Joe Rockey, a retired PNC executive from Ohio Township, and former state Rep. Sara Innamorato, a Lawrenceville Democrat, faced off…

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  • Boilermakers endorsement adds to Rockey campaign’s growing momentum with labor groups

    Boilermakers endorsement adds to Rockey campaign’s growing momentum with labor groups

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 20, 2023 PITTSBURGH – Calling him “a true friend of labor,” Pittsburgh-based Local 154 of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers today endorsed Joe Rockey for Allegheny County Executive. The union’s workforce includes more than 2,000 members, 1,600 journeymen, 150 apprentices and 200 trainees. The union joins the Laborers International Union, and a…

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  • Rockey launches newest campaign ad in County Executive race

    Rockey launches newest campaign ad in County Executive race

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 15, 2023 PITTSBURGH – Joe Rockey, Republican nominee for Allegheny County Executive, unveiled his newest campaign spot, highlighting support from a broad range of people from various walks of life. Titled “Trust,” the 30-second spot features supporters from various places where they praise his honesty, his plans for jobs and public…

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  • Joe Rockey’s Jobs Plan

    Joe Rockey’s Jobs Plan

    Calling for a ‘Jobs Renaissance’ for Allegheny County, Joe Rockey, Republican nominee for Allegheny County Executive, launched a six-point plan for economic growth and increased employment. The Rockey plan centers on six major themes:  1. Maximize federal programs enacted to encourage re-shoring of manufacturing of components needed by industries from automobiles to computers.  2. Leverage the…

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  • Joe Rockey unveils plan for jobs, economic growth 

    Joe Rockey unveils plan for jobs, economic growth 

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 14, 2023 PITTSBURGH – Calling for a ‘Jobs Renaissance’ for Allegheny County, Joe Rockey, Republican nominee for Allegheny County Executive, today unveiled a six-point plan for economic growth and increased employment.  “It’s time we stopped managing decline and reimagined growth by leveraging our workforce, resources and tradition as a center of…

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  • Rockey: Latest county jail death points to systemic failures

    Rockey: Latest county jail death points to systemic failures

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 13, 2023 PITTSBURGH – Joe Rockey, Republican nominee for Allegheny County Executive, today issued the following statement regarding the latest reported death at the Allegheny County Jail: “It is intolerable that we have added yet another name to the list of those who have died in county jail custody. The facility is…

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  • No to tax-hiking property reassessments, says Innamorato’s plan will tax homeowners

    No to tax-hiking property reassessments, says Innamorato’s plan will tax homeowners

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 7, 2023 PITTSBURGH – Joe Rockey today criticized Sara Innamorato‘s plans to conduct a countywide property reassessment that could force seniors and the middle class from their homes, a move Rockey called “a divide and tax scheme.” Rockey, who is challenging Innamorato for the post of Allegheny County Executive, said Innamorato’s…

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  • Rockey hits the airwaves with first campaign ad of election

    Rockey hits the airwaves with first campaign ad of election

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 30, 2023 PITTSBURGH – Joe Rockey, Republican nominee for Allegheny County Executive, hit the airwaves this week with a 30-second television spot introducing himself to voters and outlining his focus on public safety, jobs and commonsense leadership.  The spot, titled “My Street,” begins with the candidate outside the North Side home…

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  • Rockey says filth and crime Downtown must not become ‘The new normal’ for Allegheny County under Innamorato

    Rockey says filth and crime Downtown must not become ‘The new normal’ for Allegheny County under Innamorato

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 22, 2023 PITTSBURGH – Joe Rockey, the Republican nominee for Allegheny County Executive, visited Mellon Park today to warn that unsafe and unsanitary conditions threatening businesses and residents downtown could become the “new normal” under his opponent, Sara Innamorato. “Sara Innamorato has openly spoken about making Allegheny County “a laboratory for…

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  • Rockey says filth and crime Downtown must not become ‘The new normal’ for Allegheny County under Sara Innamorato

    Rockey says filth and crime Downtown must not become ‘The new normal’ for Allegheny County under Sara Innamorato

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 22, 2023 PITTSBURGH – Joe Rockey, the Republican nominee for Allegheny County Executive, visited Mellon Park today to warn that unsafe and unsanitary conditions threatening businesses and residents downtown could become the “new normal” under his opponent, Sara Innamorato. “Providing public safety is the number one priority for any local government,”…

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  • Rockey picks up new law enforcement support

    State Troopers union backs his bid for Allegheny County Executive FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 9, 2023 PITTSBURGH – Republican County Executive nominee Joe Rockey picked up two more endorsements from law enforcement this week – Local 47 of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 47 representing state troopers in the state’s southwest as well as…

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  • Rockey says decision on new warden should rest with next County Executive, says we must ‘fix the broken jail’

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 8, 2023 PITTSBURGH – Joe Rockey, the Republican nominee for Allegheny County Executive, today issued the following statement on the surprise announcement that Jail Warden Orland Harper will retire on Sept. 29: “Getting the jail in order was the top plank in my recently released public safety policy. It’s essential that…

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  • Rockey tours South Side, calls for action on crime

    Rockey tours South Side, calls for action on crime

    Pledges to make Allegheny ‘Safest County in the Nation’ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 7, 2023 PITTSBURGH – Coming off the release of a plan to address crime in Allegheny County, Republican nominee for Allegheny County Executive Joe Rockey toured the South Side, described in the media as an “epicenter of crime,” and met with local business…

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  • County Executive candidate Joe Rockey’s top priorities include reducing crime, bringing jobs

    By Kevin Gavin, Marylee Williams, Laura Tsutsui, Addison Diehl On today’s episode of The Confluence: Yesterday, a jury of his peers decided the man they convicted of carrying out the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting in 2018 should be put to death. The formal sentencing hearing takes place this morning. David Harris, WESA’s legal analyst and law professor…

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  • Rocky Bleier ready to rock with Joe Rockey

    Rocky Bleier ready to rock with Joe Rockey

    Steelers legend endorses Joe Rockey for County Executive FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 3, 2023 Republican County Executive nominee Joe Rockey today announced the formation of a Veterans for Rockey committee to be headed by a Vietnam veteran and gridiron legend, retired Steeler Rocky Bleier. “Let me tell you one thing: this man is rock-solid,” Bleier…

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  • Joe Rockey’s Public Safety Plan

    Joe Rockey’s Public Safety Plan

    Rockey’s plan for public safety proposes important changes in a number of areas, notably the reopening of a juvenile detention and rehabilitation center to house underage youth accused of serious crime. The county closed the former Shuman Juvenile Detention Center two years ago after it lost its state accreditation. Rockey’s opponent in the general election,…

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  • Salena Zito: The Rockey road to the county executive’s office

    Salena Zito: The Rockey road to the county executive’s office

    BY: SALENA ZITO Twenty-four years ago, the people of Allegheny County went to the voting booth and cast their ballot for a single county executive — a dramatic change in governing after having a three-commissioner system for over 200 years. In that election and the years since, voters have selected three pragmatic and moderate leaders:…

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  • Police unions backed Republican Joe Rockey for Allegheny County executive as he unveiled a public safety plan

    Police unions backed Republican Joe Rockey for Allegheny County executive as he unveiled a public safety plan

    BY: HALLIE LAUER Fix the county jail, reimagine a juvenile detention and rehabilitation center, expand mental health services, and make the Pittsburgh region safer. Those are the main components of Republican Joe Rockey’s public safety plan as he campaigns for Allegheny County executive.  Mr. Rockey unveiled the policy proposals Thursday as he was endorsed by multiple…

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  • Rockey receives endorsement from police unions, unveils public safety proposal for Allegheny County

    Rockey receives endorsement from police unions, unveils public safety proposal for Allegheny County

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 27, 2023 PITTSBURGH – County Executive nominee Joe Rockey today received the endorsement of three unions representing 3,500 members of law enforcement in Allegheny County and highlighted his commitment to public safety by unveiling a five-point plan to bolster law enforcement and reduce crime. “There is no question that people in…

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  • Joe Rockey to Sara Innamorato: Debate me

    BY: ADAM SMELTZ Joe Rockey wants to debate. More than four months before the November general election, the Republican nominee for Allegheny County executive challenged his Democratic rival, state Rep. Sara Innamorato, to a series of five debates. “It’s crucial that the public becomes engaged in this contest, and the best way to do that is to…

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  • Joe Rockey got early union support in his campaign against Sara Innamorato for Allegheny County executive

    BY: ADAM SMELTZ Rocke A Pennsylvania group of trade labor unions is supporting Republican Joe Rockey over Democratic nominee Sara Innamorato for Allegheny County executive, a state union leader announced Thursday. Coming just three weeks after the May 16 primary elections, the endorsement from the Pennsylvania District Council of the Laborers International Union is an early boost for Mr. Rockey…

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  • Republican Allegheny County executive candidate Joe Rockey says he’s a centrist

    BY: JON DELANO KDKA News PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Joe Rockey, the Republican candidate for Allegheny County executive, says he is the centrist the county needs. Rockey knows he’s in an uphill battle but says he’s the most qualified candidate to lead the county. Rockey ran unopposed for the GOP nomination two weeks ago, so most…

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  • Rockey calls himself ‘a centrist’ as the Republican launches his county executive campaign against Innamorato

    BY: ADAM SMELTZ Pittsburgh Post-Gazette A day after state Rep. Sara Innamorato emerged as his Democratic opponent, the Republican nominee for Allegheny County executive debuted his campaign message for the general election, presenting himself as “a centrist who is focused on the middle.” “A centrist can win in Allegheny County,” Joe Rockey, a former PNC executive,…

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  • Months of campaigning. 8 days left. And the race for Allegheny County executive is anybody’s guess

    BY: ADAM SMELTZ Pittsburgh Post-Gazette After more than $2 million in commercials and months of campaigning, the race for Allegheny County’s top elected office is a toss-up one week before the finish line.  That’s the consensus drawn from a cross-section of private and public polling data, and interviews with Democratic Party insiders and other political…

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  • County executive candidates promise environmental justice, expanded language service and mental health funding to Allegheny’s Asian communities

    By: Hannah Wyman The day before Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, four Allegheny County executive candidates promised to stand against discrimination or hate while in office during a forum held at the Philippine Center of Pittsburgh in West Mifflin. The Republican candidate, retired PNC executive Joe Rockey, and three Democratic hopefuls — former Pittsburgh school…

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  • How to bring back jobs to Allegheny County? Candidates for executive float their pitches at RMU

    BY: ADAM SMELTZ Pittsburgh Post-Gazette A forum centered on the Allegheny County job market drew a cross-section of ideas Wednesday from a half-dozen candidates for county executive. While the hourlong exchange at Robert Morris University saw few jabs from the five Democrats and one Republican, their pitches for reversing the county’s job losses varied widely,…

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  • Allegheny County executive candidates discuss views for Mon Valley towns

    By Max Robinette Allegheny County executive candidates participated in a community forum at the McKeesport Palisades Wednesday to discuss their visions for the Mon Valley. Democrats Sara Innamorato, Dave Fawcett, Michael Lamb, Will Parker and John Weinstein, as well as Republican Joe Rockey are the remaining candidates to replace current county Executive Rich Fitzgerald. Steel…

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  • Republican Joe Rockey says his centrist views will help him win Allegheny County executive race

    PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — While at least seven Democrats want to be Allegheny County’s next chief executive, only one Republican has stepped forward in this year’s election. As KDKA-TV political editor Jon Delano explains, Republican Joe Rockey thinks he can attract moderate Democrats and independents to his campaign. Rockey has never run for public office. A…

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  • Republican county executive candidate Joe Rockey pitches a ‘middle ground’ platform

    triblive.com | Ryan Deto Allegheny County Republicans have struggled in elections as of late, and one county executive candidate is hoping to turn the tide with a pitch that is inclusive to a broad swath of voters. Retired PNC chief risk officer Joe Rockey announced his campaign for Allegheny County executive at the Wyndham Hotel…

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  • Former PNC executive Joe Rockey is the first Republican to enter the race for Allegheny County executive

    While seven Democrats are competing for their party’s nomination in the May 16 primary election, no other Republicans have entered the race A retired financial services executive has entered the race to succeed Rich Fitzgerald as Allegheny County executive — and he’s the first Republican to join the fray. Joe Rockey, 58, of Ohio Township, announced his…

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  • Joe Rockey running for Allegheny County Executive

    Republican businessman enters 2023 race www.wtae.com PITTSBURGH — The first Republican candidate has entered the race for Allegheny County executive. Joe Rockey, a retired financial executive and North Side native, officially announced his campaign Wednesday at a news conference in downtown Pittsburgh. During his announcement, Rockey said we need a new renaissance that’s focused on…

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  • Republican Joe Rockey joining race for Allegheny County executive

    PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – A local businessman is throwing his hat in the race for Allegheny County executive.  Joe Rockey, who’s a retired financial executive and community volunteer, made the announcement on Wednesday.  Rockey says he believes Allegheny County needs to see continued growth and offer more opportunities for residents and people moving in.   “People…

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