Elected Democrats declining in Southwest Pa.

In six area counties, their ranks are down sharply from a decade ago.

By TOM FONTAINE
TribLive

Democrats are disappearing from elected office in the six counties surrounding Allegheny County.

Just 13 Democrats combined serve as county commissioners or row officers in Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Washington and Westmoreland counties, compared to 57 Republicans. Only about a decade ago, nearly three times as many Democrats — 38 — served as commissioners or row officers in those counties, re...