The Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office handles a variety of law enforcement tasks in the county, including executing warrants, pursuing fugitives, transporting incarcerated people, providing court security, and holding sheriff’s sales of confiscated property. Democrat Kevin Kraus has held the office since his victory in the 2021 election. He’s being challenged from the right by Republican Brian Weismantle. Both men served for decades in the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police.
| Kevin Kraus (i) | Brian Weismantle | |
| Bio: | Ohio Twp. resident. La Roche undergrad with training from FBI Nat’l Academy and Harvard. 21-year Pittsburgh police veteran. Chief deputy with Sheriff’s Office 2014–2022. Incumbent. | Pittsburgh (North Side) resident. LaRoche and Community College of the Air Force undergrad. 30-year Pennsylvania Air Nat’l Guard veteran (ret. 2025). Retired Pittsburgh Bureau of Police homicide detective with PI experience. Landlord. |
| Priorities: | Has prioritized transparency as former police comms officer. Favors required trainings, body-cam use, and K9 support. Touts under-budget operation of Sheriff’s Office since election. | Seeks stronger mental health protection for deputies. Sees problems with area police staffing levels. Wants to “restore professionalism.” Says he would be “proactive, not reactive.” |
| County jail: | Serves on Jail Oversight Board but has sent surrogates to meetings. Refused comment on Sheriff’s Office takeover of ACJ medical transports. Supports reinstatement of leg shackles in medical transports. | Says important to have sheriff attend JOB meetings. Says he would “stand up for jail guards.” Gathered signatures to reinstate use of leg shackles. |
| Federal cooperation: | Says he would continue participating in federal task forces involving violent crime. Told media Sheriff’s Office doesn’t have written policy re: ICE but would be “duty-bound” to assist if agents under assault. | Has criticized labor brokers hiring illegal immigrants for costing locals jobs. |
| Endorsements: | ACDC, 14th Ward Independent Democratic Club, 19th Ward City of Pittsburgh Democrats, Steel City Stonewall Democrats, unions including Allegheny-Fayette County Labor Council, IAFF, multiple FOP lodges | RCAC, Gun Owners of America |
This article appears in Election Guide Oct. 8-14, 2025.
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