Allegheny County Council President Pat Catena will step down from his leadership position rather than face a likely removal vote at next week’s council meeting, bringing a dramatic political downfall to weeks of escalating backlash over anti-trans campaign rhetoric.
The news was first publicly announced Friday morning by Allegheny County Councilman Dan Grzybek, who stated that Catena would relinquish the council presidency ahead of the anticipated May 26 vote on a motion expressing “no confidence” in his leadership.
Catena will remain a member of Allegheny County Council but will no longer serve as council president.
The resignation follows a political firestorm that began earlier this month when Catena distributed campaign mailers in the Democratic primary for Pennsylvania House District 45 attacking opponent Brittany Bloam with rhetoric referencing “transgender athletes,” “extreme left groups,” and “socialism.”
The mailers sparked widespread condemnation from LGBTQ organizations, Democratic elected officials, healthcare workers, labor activists, parents of transgender children, and community members across Allegheny County.
In the weeks that followed Steel City Stonewall Democrats called for a public apology, TransYOUniting publicly rejected a $500 donation from Catena, 16 speakers condemned Catena during a packed County Council meeting, and multiple council members publicly announced support for removing him from leadership.
County Councilmember Jordan Botta had introduced a formal motion expressing “no confidence” in Catena’s leadership, while seven additional council members publicly committed to supporting the effort, appearing to give opponents enough votes to remove Catena from the presidency if the measure reached the floor Tuesday.
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In a statement to QBurgh, Botta said he respected Catena’s decision to step aside while emphasizing the importance of inclusive leadership.
“I respect Pat Catena’s decision to step down as President of Allegheny County Council following the recent controversy surrounding rhetoric directed at the transgender community,” Botta said.
Botta added that while he did not believe Catena was motivated by “hate or malice,” leadership positions must reflect “dignity, inclusion, and respect for all residents.”
“My hope is that this moment leads to greater understanding and compassion moving forward, and I look forward to working with new Council leadership in service of all residents of Allegheny County,” Botta said.
Earlier this week, local attorney Brittany Bloam defeated Catena in the District 45 primary after the race transformed into a broader political flashpoint over anti-trans rhetoric in local Democratic politics.
Catena’s decision to step aside as council president now appears to bring at least part of the political fallout to a close, though tensions surrounding the controversy are likely to continue as community members and elected officials debate broader questions about accountability, LGBTQ inclusion, and the role of anti-trans rhetoric in local politics.
The Allegheny County Council is expected to address leadership succession at its upcoming May 26 meeting.