State Representative Chelsa Wagner (D-Brookline) announced her candidacy for Allegheny County Controller on Monday, Jan. 10, stating that the position affords the best opportunity to ensure responsible county government spending and efficiency.

" … With deepening  budget deficits and looming property tax reassessments," Wagner said, "the challenge is not only how we make ends meet to address our short-term needs but also how we position ourselves for the future."

"The county controller must not merely shine light on what is wrong," Wagner wrote in a letter announcing her candidacy. "She must also lead and take action to find what is right."

Wagner sent her letter to Allegheny County Democratic Committee members.

She was first elected in 2006 and is the only woman among the Allegheny County caucus.

State Representative Nick Kotik (D-Coraopolis) is also considering a run, as is former Clerk of Courts George Matta.

The current county controller is Mark Patrick Flaherty (D-Mount Lebanon), who is planning to run for the county executive position held by Dan Onorato. Onorato lost the recent gubernatorial race, and his future plans are still unknown.

The Baldwin-Whitehall Patch interviewed Wagner on Friday, Jan. 7, but she did not mention an intention to run for county controller.

Wagner represents the 22nd Pennsylvania House of Representatives District, which includes Castle Shannon Borough, Baldwin Township and parts of the City of Pittsburgh and the Borough of Whitehall.

Though her district office is in the Pittsburgh community of Brookline, Wagner also makes herself available to Whitehall residents with an office at 5301 Grove Road in the Caste Village Commons (Suite M112).