Allegheny County Council unanimously elects Michelle Nakagawa-Chapkis as president, the first woman to hold the post
May 26, 2026 | Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
Michelle Nakagawa-Chapkis was unanimously elected president of the Allegheny County Council on May 26, 2026, after Council members nominated and then voted to install her as the council’s leader.
The motion to elect Nakagawa-Chapkis received no opposition; the roll-call vote recorded 15 ayes and zero nays. Members applauded after the results were announced.
In brief remarks after the gavel was passed, Nakagawa-Chapkis thanked colleagues and family and noted she is the first woman to serve as council president in Allegheny County. "I will lead with openness, and honesty, and transparency," she said, adding she intends to work with the administration, colleagues and staff "with respect, and purpose, and integrity."
She listed priorities she expects the council to address in the coming months: adopting a balanced budget, responding to a countywide property reassessment, addressing housing needs across municipalities, pursuing economic development, modernizing infrastructure, improving public health and safety, and confronting a volunteer firefighter staffing crisis.
Nakagawa-Chapkis acknowledged past county leaders who had held the position and framed her election as part of a continuing pattern of progress in local leadership. The council meeting record shows members from across the chamber joined in the nomination and vote.
The new president did not set a firm timeline for each priority but said she would engage the administration and council colleagues to pursue them. The council took no immediate follow-up votes tied to her remarks at the meeting's conclusion.
The motion to elect Nakagawa-Chapkis received no opposition; the roll-call vote recorded 15 ayes and zero nays. Members applauded after the results were announced.
In brief remarks after the gavel was passed, Nakagawa-Chapkis thanked colleagues and family and noted she is the first woman to serve as council president in Allegheny County. "I will lead with openness, and honesty, and transparency," she said, adding she intends to work with the administration, colleagues and staff "with respect, and purpose, and integrity."
She listed priorities she expects the council to address in the coming months: adopting a balanced budget, responding to a countywide property reassessment, addressing housing needs across municipalities, pursuing economic development, modernizing infrastructure, improving public health and safety, and confronting a volunteer firefighter staffing crisis.
Nakagawa-Chapkis acknowledged past county leaders who had held the position and framed her election as part of a continuing pattern of progress in local leadership. The council meeting record shows members from across the chamber joined in the nomination and vote.
The new president did not set a firm timeline for each priority but said she would engage the administration and council colleagues to pursue them. The council took no immediate follow-up votes tied to her remarks at the meeting's conclusion.
Don't Miss a Word: See the Full Meeting!
Go beyond summaries. Unlock every video, transcript, and key insight with a Founder Membership.
✓
Get instant access to full meeting videos
✓
Search and clip any phrase from complete transcripts
✓
Receive AI-powered summaries & custom alerts
✓
Enjoy lifetime, unrestricted access to government data
30-day money-back guarantee
