2013 Erie County Executive election

2013 Erie County Executive election

←  2009 November 5, 2013 2017  →

Nominee Kathy Dahlkemper Don Tucci Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 31,391 23,436 Percentage 57.25% 42.75%

County Executive before election Barry Grossman Democratic Elected County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper Democratic

The 2013 Erie County Executive election was held on November 5, 2013. Incumbent Democratic County Executive Barry Grossman, who was first elected in 2009, ran for re-election to a second term. However, he was narrowly defeated in the Democratic primary by former Congresswoman Kathy Dahlkemper, losing renomination 52–48 percent. In the general election, she faced the Republican nominee, businessman and Tea Party activist Don Tucci. Dahlkemper defeated Tucci by a wide margin, winning her first term as County Executive, 57–43 percent.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Kathy Dahlkemper, former U.S. Representative ^[1]
• Barry Grossman, incumbent County Executive ^[2]

Results

Democratic primary results ^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Kathy Dahlkemper	13,319	52.33%
	Democratic	Barry Grossman (inc.)	12,133	47.67%
Total votes			25,452	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

• Don Tucci, businessman and Tea Party activist ^[4]
• Tom Loftus, Lawrence Park Township Commissioner ^[5]
• Tom McGahen

Results

Republican primary results ^[6]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Don Tucci	5,011	41.87%
	Republican	Tom Loftus	4,494	37.55%
	Republican	Tom McGahen	2,464	20.59%
Total votes			11,969	100.00%

General election

Results

2013 Erie County Executive election ^[7]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Kathy Dahlkemper	31,391	57.25%
	Republican	Don Tucci	23,436	42.75%
Total votes			54,827	100.00%
	Democratic hold

References

1. Speggen, Ben (February 25, 2013). "Dahlkemper Confirms Plan to Run for Erie County Executive". Erie Reader . Erie, Pennsylvania . Retrieved July 7, 2025.
2. Speggen, Ben (February 25, 2013). "Grossman Reacts to Dahlkemper's Announcement". Erie Reader . Erie, Pennsylvania . Retrieved July 7, 2025.
3. "DEMOCRATIC - MUNICIPAL ELECTION - MAY 21, 2013" (PDF). Erie County Department of Elections and Voter Registration. June 3, 2013. Retrieved July 7, 2025.
4. "The 13 Most Interesting PA Races of 2013". PoliticsPA. October 21, 2023. Retrieved July 7, 2025.
5. Vaillancourt, Cory (May 15, 2013). "Upfront: Debate Recap". Erie Reader . Erie, Pennsylvania . Retrieved July 7, 2025.
6. "REPUBLICAN - MUNICIPAL ELECTION - MAY 21, 2013" (PDF). Erie County Department of Elections and Voter Registration. June 3, 2013. Retrieved July 7, 2025.
7. "Erie County - General Election - Official" (PDF). Erie County Department of Elections and Voter Registration. September 5, 2014. Retrieved July 7, 2025.