Patti Weaver, a key organizer of the region’s Tea Party movement, will formally announce her candidacy for county executive next Thursday at a rally in front of the City-County Building.

Ms. Weaver, of Fox Chapel, has been perhaps the most visible face of the local grass roots movement, and has been active in national Tea Party organizing as well.  A Harvard MBA, she has worked on the business side of her husband’s medical practice.  For the moment she has the field for the Republican nomination to herself, but at least two other prominent Republicans, both members of county council, have said that they are considering the race.  Councilman Matt Drozd has said that he may run and Councilman Chuck McCullough has also said that he make seek the nomination, undeterred by the fact that he faces trial in May on charges that he used an elderly clients funds to make contributions to political allies without the client’s knowledge.

On the Democratic side, Controller Mark Patrick Flaherty and Council President Rich Fitzgerald have declared their candidacies.  Dan Onorato _ you might remember from the governor’s race that that’s spelled O-N-O-R-A-T-O _ has decided not to seek a third term in the post.

Here’s an email that went out this afternoon to the Tea Party mailing list.

 

Dear Pittsburgh Tea Partier,

 

We invite you to attend an historic event on Thursday, February 10, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. in front of the City-County Building at 414 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.  Our Pittsburgh Tea Party leader, Patti Weaver, will announce her candidacy for Allegheny County Executive at that time.  Influential leaders in the Republican Party in Allegheny County and statewide have recognized her strong values, leadership ability, excellent educational background and various other skills and have urged her to run for this position.  This is an important step to restoring common-sense leadership to our county with an individual who values free markets, fiscal responsibility and a limited government, who would use her education and private sector expertise to insure economic growth, job creation and the long-term health of our region.

 

While our tea party group is comprised of democrats, independents republicans, and other groups, our highest priority is electing leaders who will work for the best interest of taxpayers, our region, our families and future generations regardless of affiliation.  Patti responded to the Republican opportunity to represent our values to like-minded citizens looking for new leadership in Allegheny County. As a grassroots group, we must take advantage of this opportunity to break from the special interest of the past and lead our region in the right direction.

 

Please join us as we send off our Pittsburgh Tea Party Movement leader with our blessings and thanks for her outstanding contribution to the grassroots movement of Western Pennsylvania.

 

Regards,

Pittsburgh Tea Party Movement Planning Committee