Candidates

Democratic Committee of Dormont

Vote YES to Retain Our Judges

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court is under attack and Democrats are fighting back.

In Pennsylvania, judges serve for a 10-year term after which they are on the ballot for a “retention” question. Voters will be asked a simple question - do you want to keep this judge for another 10 years? Normally retention races are sleepy affairs, but this year Republicans and their billionaire donors have vowed to target the Supreme Court. If they are successful, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court will be in a 2-2 deadlock.

PSEA Reference Guide

Congratulations, Candidates!

For Dormont Borough

Democratic Committee of Dormont Endorsed Candidates

Follow Them on the Dedicated to Dormont Facebook Page

For Council: Councilwoman Amie Downs (top left), Councilman Chris Kipp (top right),
Councilwoman Jennifer Mazzocco (bottom left) and Josh Munson (photo coming soon)

About Amie

Amie was appointed to fill a vacancy on borough council last April and is running for a full 4-year term. She chairs the Business District Relations & Development Committee and has built on long-standing relationships with the small businesses in the borough with a focus on strengthening the vibrant business district. A communications professional, she also worked with borough staff to launch three e-newsletters providing timely and important information to residents and businesses alike.

Amie has served as Chair of the Democratic Committee of Dormont for the last 7 years and has grown its members, activity and its treasury while engaging more and more of the community in their work. She has been endorsed by the committee in this election. She and her husband, Paul, have lived in Dormont since 2012 and own one of the oldest homes in the borough.

About Chris

Chris Kipp holds a BSE in Civil Engineering and an MAT in Secondary Education. He has been a physics teacher at Brashear High School since 2012. Chris and his wife, Rosey, have called Dormont home since 2012. They have four little Dormontsters and have become very active within the community. Rosey is on the Stormwater Commission and Chris was on the Planning Commission from 2019 until he was appointed to Council in 2024.

On Council, Chris has enjoyed working with his fellow council members, the borough’s managers, and the mayor to improve Dormont. He is most proud of his efforts related to the Comprehensive Plan, improving communication within the borough, improving our green spaces, and the upcoming sidewalk improvement program.

About Jen

Jen has served on Dormont Council for seven years and is currently Council President. She has previously chaired the Recreation and Community Affairs and Public Safety, Building and Code committees.

In her time on council, Jen is most proud of her advocacy for safe mobility. In 2020, she helped establish the Shared Streets program and in 2023 wrote the borough’s Complete Streets policy. She continues to advocate for improvements to increase safety for pedestrians & bicyclists on our residential streets and West Liberty Avenue.

In her day job, Jen teaches English at Allderdice High School. She is the Political Action Committee chair for her union, the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers, and is a member of the Executive Board. She lives with her husband, James, and two daughters, Penny and Millie. She loves riding her bike, reading and volunteering with the Dormont Free Pantry.

About Josh

Josh has called Dormont home since 2004. Over the past 21 years, he graduated college with a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design, became a husband to his amazing wife Emily, and a father to their three wonderful boys. While Josh didn’t grow up in Dormont, he’s quick to point out that he “grew up” in Dormont.

For the last 24 years, Josh has served in the US Army Reserves specializing in construction and leadership. As a Master Sergeant, he teaches electrical and leadership courses. He also acts as a Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC), educating others on ways to prevent and address sexual harassment and assault with the Army. His deployments to Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan have taught him how to work as a team, what good leadership looks like, and how to overcome adversity.

Dormont holds a special place in his heart. His wife doesn’t have to ask twice to scrap dinner plans and hit up Moonlit for a # 4 bestseller and Smashburger fries. They enjoy walking around Potomac and West Liberty Avenues checking out the stores and picking up a bouquet of flowers from Dormont Florist. They spend most of their summer afternoons at Dormont Pool. Watching their children play with the neighbor’s kids every day reinforces his appreciation for his strong sense of community.

Josh is eager to contribute further by serving on Borough Council. With significant projects on the horizon - including stormwater improvements, the redevelopment of the playground at Dormont Park, and decisions on how to address the street issues on Potomac, Josh’s background in civil construction enables him to provide valuable insight and guidance. He looks forward to working collaboratively to help advance these important initiatives for Dormont’s continued growth and success.

For Mayor: Mayor Jason Walsh

About Jason:

My name is Jason Walsh and I have proudly served the Borough of Dormont as Mayor for the pas t7 years and am seeking re-election. My top three priorities for this office, and how I would address them follow:

As mayor, my focus will always be on public safety - ensuring our police, fire, and MRTSA have the resources, training, and support they need to keep our community safe. That means continuing to work closely with our first responders, prioritizing funding for equipment and staffing, and strengthening community partnerships that build trust and accountability.

My second priority is infrastructure and livability. Dormont deserves streets, sidewalks, parks, and public spaces that are safe, accessible, and family-friendly. We have listened to residents - especially around concerns around West Liberty Ave - and I want to continue to advocate for smart, community-driven solutions that make everyday life easier and safer.

Finally, I’m committed to financial responsibility. We must be good stewards of the people’s money. That means careful budgeting, seeking out grants and funding opportunities, and ensuring that every dollar spent delivers real value to our residents. With the funding changes at the federal level, fiscal discipline for the long term is key to maintaining essential services while keeping Dormont an affordable place to live and raise a family.

In my experience, effective leadership starts with relationships. As mayor, I’ve learned that you can’t build consensus without first building trust. That means showing up, being approachable, and taking the time to understand where people are coming from - even when they don’t agree with you.

One strategy that’s worked for me is listening first. People want to know that their concerns are being taken seriously. I make it a point to ask questions, get the full picture, and look for areas where we already agree. You’d be surprised how often common ground exists when you take the time to look for it. This approach was especially impactful when I served as chairperson on MRTSA Board of Directors. MRTSA has a 12-person board, from six communities, and we all had to come together for a single mission. We can’t accomplish our mission without listening to one another.

I’ve also found that being clear and honest goes a long way. Whether I’m working with council, staff, or residents, I try to be upfront about what we can do, what the challenges are, and why certain decisions are being made. Even if people don’t fully agree, they tend to respect they process if they know it’s fair and transparent.

For Keystone Oaks School Board (Region 2): Board Vice President Emily Snyder

About Emily:

Hi! My name is Emily Snyder, and I am running for re-election to the Keystone Oaks School District Board of Directors. During my tenure, I have been actively involved in four board committees, and I currently serve as the board’s vice president. My husband and I have loved living in Dormont for the last eight years and raising our two children, Bridget and Colin. I hold a BA in Government and Political Affairs and a Master’s in Social Work from Millersville University. I am an academic advisor at the University of Pittsburgh with a decade of experience working with students in higher education. My training as a licensed social worker has helped shape my commitment to advocating for mental health and engaging in social change. I am committed to creating a more inclusive and equitable experience for our students, staff, and KO community.

For Tax Collector: Tax Collector Vickie McGurk