We often think about the City of Pittsburgh whenever it comes to speaking about the politics of our region. But what’s to be said about the smaller, outer suburbs of Allegheny County? These more condensed districts are just as much a part of our community as Downtown, Shadyside, or Oakland, and often make just as big an impact. Allegheny County Council District 1 candidate Kathleen Madonna-Emmerling is running to prove that County Council decisions go beyond just your district, and the resulting changes can have a domino effect.
Madonna-Emmerling is a regular suburban wife and mom of three teens, working for the Airport Area Action PAC for like-minded and inclusive democracy-builders. She’s an example that anyone from anywhere can make a political difference and run for office. As she says, “It takes curiosity, hard work, and training, but you really can do it. There are so many community members frustrated and craving change. You can be that change! From the town zoning board to your local political committee to even county executives, there’s space for you.”
In Madonna-Emmerling’s campaign, her values focus on caring for those who come before and after us. For her, this means taking care of the elderly just as we would care for our own children. We’ll all be at this older age one day, and wouldn’t we want someone to lend us a hand?
“I’m particularly interested in earnestly preparing for the growth of our elderly and memory-impaired population,” she explains. “Allegheny County is the second oldest in the nation, and we’ll be the canaries in the coal mine on this issue. We are poised to see an explosion of residents who are unable to care for themselves, and we simply do not have the facilities or budget allocated to deal with it. We need to ramp up county-wide transportation, community, and multi-generational living, as well as distributed healthcare and adult-day care facilities.”
These aren’t just ideas that float out in the void without a plan, either. Madonna-Emmerling is all about action rather than talk. She spends her time interacting and working with the community. Her goal is to create an impact before she’s even in office.
“I’ve found the best way to start talking about the importance of politics is not head-on, but rather through service,” explains Madonna-Emmerling. “When you’re out helping, you can see firsthand how the decisions our community board members, legislators, and judges make impact others. Our residents who organize and attend these events are really invested in our community, and I learn so much by working alongside them.”
Some of the examples of service work Madonna-Emmerling has completed include helping as a Trustee of Moon Township Public Library and West Hills Meals on Wheels delivery driver, organizing the first service project for the USW/Staff Union of Pitt, partnering with CCRIP for assisting unhoused neighbors, planting an urban orchard with West View Urban Garden, building a play structure with Ross Parks and Recreation, and providing summer safety items for Neville Island’s N.I.C.E. program.
Another important aspect of Madonna-Emmerling’s campaign is her activism on behalf of the LGBTQIA+ community. While her opponent has piggybacked off her husband’s anti-vax and COVID-conspiracy campaigns, Madonna-Emmerling has headed to the Blue Moon Bar to call bingo alongside performer Mildred. But it’s not just the fun Madonna-Emmerling is showing up for either.
“As Library Trustee, I took our LGBTQIA+ book ban battle to the press when I realized education and public comment weren’t getting the job done,” says Madonna-Emmerling. “Our township supervisors were inundated with messages shaming their policy choices. Not only did the supervisors go on to reappoint me to the library board, but the four conservative members they placed on the board voted me president as well. I know I can build lasting relationships with rivals that can advance the policies we believe in.”
More than just focusing on community policy, Madonna-Emmerling has bigger plans to reform certain details of the council.
“I want to continue the work of ethics reform on the council,” says Madonna-Emmerling. “The County has implemented additional checks on campaign finance as well as board/committee appointments, and I want to see it through with strong enforcement and penalties for violators. Many of the most impactful powers of the council can only be passed with a supermajority of 10 votes. This election is a pivotal time to gain seats needed to raise permitting fees for polluters and put forth charter amendments allowing the council more budget oversight. These changes are critical to protecting and expanding the service infrastructure for mental and physical health.”
Allegheny County Council District 1 consists of Avalon Borough, Ben Avon Borough, Ben Avon Heights Borough, Crescent Township, Emsworth Borough, Findlay Township, Glen Osborne Borough, Glenfield Borough, Haysville Borough, Kilbuck Township, Moon Township, Neville Township, Ohio Township, Ross Township, and West View Borough. Election Day is Tuesday, November 4, 2025.
