Even as Corey O’Connor took office as Pittsburgh’s newest mayor, his old job as Allegheny Country Controller was undergoing a change as well, as then-deputy controller Amy Weise Clements took his place.
She might want to get comfortable.
Under state law, Governor Josh Shapiro could nominate a replacement for O’Connor, someone to serve out the remainder of O’Connor’s term until the end of 2027. And he’d need the approval of two-thirds of the Republican-led state Senate to do so.
But while a few prospective candidates have made themselves known, they may end up waiting until the 2027 election gives them a chance at serving a full term.
“It’s a tough year in Harrisburg to get anything moving, especially an appointment,” said Warner Macklin III, a financial advisor who, along with Allegheny County Council member Bethany Hallam, has been openly discussing a run. “The folks in Harrisburg are going to do what the folks in Harrisburg are going to do.”
State government watchers say the pending 2026 gubernatorial campaign, in which Shapiro is running for re-election, may cast a long shadow over the Capitol. And the process can move slowly even in less charged times.
Senate Democratic leader Jay Costa said that the body is more accustomed to considering appointments to fill spots on a county Common Pleas court bench, rather than local row offices like county controller, sheriff or treasurer.
“We rarely do row officers in terms of appointments,” he said. “And we typically do appointments around June or coinciding with our budget process.”
The controller acts as a fiscal watchdog for county government, auditing both the finances and the performance of county agencies. During his tenure as controller, O’Connor brought to light issues with the county’s homelessness services, its public defense system and uses of the Clean Air Fund.
O’Connor himself was appointed to fill out the term of Chelsa Wagner after she was elected judge. And while O’Connor was widely touted as the likely replacement that fall, it wasn’t until June that then-Gov. Tom Wolf nominated him for the gig.
O’Connor was confirmed by the Senate unanimously (and was elected to a full term as fiscal watchdog the following year). Appointments often don’t move until early summer, and O’Connor said at the time that opponents of his previous efforts to pass gun-reform in City Council had sought to waylay his nomination.
There doesn’t appear to be a clear-cut replacement now that O’Connor has left.
“No decisions on this vacancy have been made at this time,” Shapiro’s office said in a statement.
While anyone interested in the post can submit a resume and cover letter to the governor’s office, the recommendation of county leaders is usually essential. A spokesperson for County Executive Sara Innamorato declined to comment on the process.
It’s not clear if Weise Clements, whose long tenure in county government includes serving as a top aide to former County Executive Dan Onorato, would want to be elected to a full four years of it.
“Amy is focused on the important work of the Controller’s office at a critical time for oversight of
County finances and will consider future opportunities for service at the appropriate time,” her office said in a statement.
Hallam and Macklin, both Democrats, have been more openly interested in running for the office.
Hallam, a progressive firebrand on council, told WESA she was “seriously considering” running for a full term next year. But Hallam can be a lightning rod in political circles, and her prospects for being confirmed in the Senate would be uncertain at best. In any case, she said she has no desire to be appointed to the role in the interim, citing the political maneuvering it would take to get into office.
“I am not interested in seeking the approval of the Republican-led Senate,” she said.
Macklin was more open to a Harrisburg appointment. While he hasn’t announced a 2027 election bid, he said, “I do have a serious interest in running for the position.” In addition, he said, “I have placed my name forward within the state capitol, [and] I would be honored to be at least considered for the nomination.”
Macklin said his community work — which includes work on numerous nonprofit boards — and background in financial consulting to governments and business equipped him for the job of controller and the task of securing a Harrisburg appointment.
Whoever ultimately ends up holding the post will assume duties that include audits of county agency finances and performance. The controller also serves on county boards that include the Jail Oversight Board, where Hallam already serves as a vocal advocate for change, having been appointed to represent council there.
Chris Potter and Julia Zenkevich contributed to this story.