Councilman Sam DeMarco announces resignation to join U.S. Senator David McCormick's staff

Councilman Sam DeMarco told colleagues at the start of the Jan. 14, 2025 Allegheny County Council meeting that he would abstain from all votes that night and that he has accepted a position as southwestern Pennsylvania regional director for U.S. Senator David McCormick.

"I will be abstaining on all votes tonight," DeMarco said, adding that he had taken the new role during the recess and submitted a letter of resignation. President Catena acknowledged receipt of DeMarco's resignation letter and said the council would accept it that evening. Later in the meeting, ceremonial remarks and presentations were made honoring DeMarco's service; former council members and colleagues offered brief tributes.

Why it matters: DeMarco said he has served on council as an at-large member since Jan. 4, 2016; his departure creates a vacancy and triggers the county's process for filling a council vacancy. DeMarco said his new role will be the southwestern Pennsylvania regional director for Senator McCormick.

What the record shows: DeMarco announced his resignation on the record, and President Catena confirmed she had received his letter. Council made no separate recorded roll-call vote formally accepting the resignation during the meeting; the clerk asked whether formal acceptance was needed and the chair indicated it was not required.

Next steps: The transcript indicates the resignation letter will be accepted by the council; the process to fill the vacancy was not discussed in the recorded remarks on Jan. 14.