Bethany Hallam
Bethany Hallam | |
|---|---|
| At-Large member of Allegheny County Council | |
| Assumed office January 2, 2020 | |
| Preceded by | John DeFazio |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 12, 1989 |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | Duquesne University |
| Website | https://www.bethanyhallam.com |
Bethany Hallam is an American politician. Since 2020, she has served as one of two at-large members of Allegheny County Council.[1]
Early life
[edit]Bethany Hallam's journey began in the suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Ross Township, a close-knit community nestled in the North Hills of Allegheny County. Her formative years were marked by a strong sense of community and a passion for athletics. As a student at North Hills High School, she excelled in lacrosse, despite multiple ACL injuries, testing her physical and mental resilience, forcing her to confront challenges that would shape her future.
Beyond the lacrosse field, Hallam demonstrated a keen intellect and a thirst for knowledge. She pursued her academic interests at Duquesne University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. Her time at Duquesne exposed her to diverse perspectives and ignited a passion for public service. Through her involvement in student organizations and volunteer activities, she developed a deep commitment to social justice and community empowerment. Hallam's experiences at Duquesne honed her critical thinking skills and instilled in her a strong work ethic, preparing her for the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead.[2]
Political career
[edit]Hallam defeated a 20-year County Council incumbent, John DeFazio, in the 2019 Democratic primary, & secured the at-large seat in the following general election, making her one of a small number of formerly incarcerated people elected to office in the United States. She was sworn in on January 2nd, 2020.[3]
Hallam has been an advocate for a number of causes including criminal justice reform, criminal justice fine & fee reform, abolition of cash bail, harm reduction, and increasing the availability of substance use disorder recovery programs.[4][5] She is known for her willingness to engage with people who disagree with her.[6]
In her position as a County Councilor, Hallam serves on Allegheny County Jail’s Jail Oversight Board, Allegheny County’s Board of Elections, & Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s board of trustees.[7][8][9]
Electoral record
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Bethany Hallam | 203,394 | 56.78 | |
| Republican | Sam DeMarco | 151,023 | 42.16 | |
| Write-in | 3,806 | 1.06 | ||
| Total votes | 358,223 | 100.00 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Bethany Hallam | 89,464 | 56.33 | |
| Democratic | Joanna Doven | 68,393 | 43.06 | |
| Write-in | 969 | 0.61 | ||
| Total votes | 158,826 | 100.00 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Bethany Hallam | 168,350 | 64.67 | |
| Republican | Sam DeMarco | 91,615 | 35.19 | |
| Write-in | 367 | 0.14 | ||
| Total votes | 260,332 | 100.00 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Bethany Hallam | 55,695 | 53.38 | |
| Democratic | John P. DeFazio | 48,275 | 46.27 | |
| Write-in | 363 | 0.35 | ||
| Total votes | 104,333 | 100.00 | ||
References
[edit]- ^ "Office of the Allegheny County Council". Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
- ^ "Bio". Bethany Hallam. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
- ^ Martines, Jamie (2 January 2020). "3 new Allegheny County Council members sworn in, new president selected". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ Keppler, Nick (4 April 2019). "Drug Addiction Used to End Political Careers, but That's Finally Changing". Vice. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ Rihl, Juliette (26 May 2020). "Allegheny County selected to participate in national fine and fee reform initiative following PublicSource investigation". Public Source. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
- ^ Morrison, Oliver (20 November 2024). "'People hate that about us.' Pittsburgh politician and radio host forge unlikely bond". WESA (FM). National Public Radio. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
- ^ "Jail Oversight Board". Allegheny County Controller. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
- ^ "Board of Elections - Allegheny County, PA". Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
- ^ "Bethany Hallam - Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh". Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
- ^ "2023 Municipal Election". Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ "2023 Municipal Primary". Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ "2019 Municipal Election". Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ "2019 Municipal Primary". Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Retrieved 16 November 2024.