Benham The Leading Democrat For Readshaw Seat

BALDWIN, PA — Tuesday's primary saw Jessica Benham ahead of three other Democrats in the race to succeed retiring state Rep. Harry Readshaw of Carrick in the 36th Legislative District's Democratic primary.

Benham had 2,508 mail-in and write-in votes, the Allegheny County Elections Division website reported.. Trailing were Ed Moeller, with 1,952 votes; Heather Kass with 801 and Mark Johnson with 407.

The totals do not reflect those who voted Tuesday at polling places, which were drastically reduced in the county because of the coronavirus outbreak.

In 2018, Readshaw, running unopposed, was renominated with 4,473 votes.

The results are unofficial and all votes in the primary will not be counted for at least a week. Gov. Tom Wolf on Monday signed an executive order extending the deadline to receive mail-in ballots in Allegheny and five other counties to June 9.

Readshaw,78, announced in January that he planned to retire after 25 years as a legislator. In

Benham is a union organizer and community activist. Moeller is a former Baldwin-Whitehall school director and former Baldwin councilman. Kass has worked in the health care and health insurance fields.

The 36th District includes parts of Pittsburgh as well as Baldwin, Brentwood and Mt. Oliver.