Food & Water Action, the political arm of the national advocacy group Food & Water Watch, is endorsing three candidates for Allegheny County Council: Dennis McDermott (District 11), Dan Grzybek (District 5), and incumbent Bethany Hallam for the at-large seat.

The organization has spent the past five years building a strong grassroots presence in Allegheny County, working with residents to restrict fracking activities in 25 municipalities and scoring a major victory to ban fracking in county parks. 

In her first term on the County Council, Hallam led the charge to pass a ban on fracking in county parks, and also pushed to expand voting access – showing that she is already a leader in standing up for the people of Allegheny County. 

McDermott was previously the Allegheny County Canvass Director for Food & Water Action, giving him direct experience in community engagement. His campaign is emphasizing expanding public transit and holding polluting corporations accountable. 

Grzybek is running for County Council to increase our sustainability efforts, improving local air quality and holding corporate polluters accountable.

“We are thrilled to support these progressive champions as they work to make Allegheny a safer, more sustainable place to live and work,” said Food & Water Action Pennsylvania Director Megan McDonough. 

In 2022, Food & Water Action knocked on tens of thousands of doors and made nearly half a million calls to Allegheny County voters, helping to elect Summer Lee and Chris Deluzio to Congress. 

Food & Water Action has already knocked on 6,000 doors talking to voters about the county executive election. The group endorsed Sara Innamorato in late February.