Primary Election 2013: Incumbent Katie Shogan Nabs Nominations for Pine-Richland School Board

Incumbent Katie Shogan is likely heading for another term on the Pine-Richland School Board.

“I’m very excited to have the support of everyone who went out and voted today,” she said Tuesday.

Shogan, who cross-filed in the race, won the both the Republican and Democratic nominations over newcomer Greg DiTullio in Tuesday’s primary election. DiTullio ran on the Republican ticket only.

Because she won both nominations, Shogan—barring a write-in vote campaign—should be victorious in the fall’s general election.

In the only contested race for Pine-Richland School Board, Shogan and DiTullio were both vying for the Region 1 seat representing Pine Township Voting Districts 1, 4, 5, 7 and 8.

With five out of five Cranberry voting precincts reporting, results from the Allegheny County Division of Elections show Shogan took 54.97 percent of the Republican votes and 96.59 percent of the Democratic votes.

DiTullio took 45.03 percent of the Republican votes.

As a Republican, DiTullio said Tuesday he chose not to cross-file in the race because the Democratic Party does not represent his values.

“I chose the Republican party as my party of choice for a reason,” he said. “I would never go and seek a nomination on the Democratic ballot.”

DiTullio should be a familiar face to Pine-Richland School Board members.

He was one of four candidates interviewed by officials last September to fill the vacancy created when former director Kevin Nigh resigned. The board chose Marc Casciani to fill the seat representing Region 1 in Pine Township—Voting Districts 1, 4, 5, 7 and 8.

DiTullio also was one of four people, including Shogan, who interviewed with the board last May to fill the Region 1 seat vacated by

The board appointed Shogan to replace Herko.

DiTullio, who said he often is critical of the board’s direction for the district, noted Tuesday’s race was tighter than he expected. He said he may run again for Pine-Richland School Board—if there is the right opportunity.

“My main involvement is with my three kids,” he said of his participation in the district.

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