Labor Party candidate Alex Rose defeated Republican Mike Embrescia in a special election Tuesday for one of two at-large seats on Allegheny County Council.

His election marks the first time a Republican has not held one of the seats. The county charter says each at-large member must be from different political parties — Democrat Bethany Hallam is the other at-large member.

With 90% of the county’s 1327 precincts reporting by 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, Mr. Rose was well ahead of Mr. Embrescia with 56% of the vote.

“It is with humility that I accept your mandate,” Mr. Rose wrote in a social media post late Tuesday. “It is with steadfast determination that I will fight for you. ...Tonight, we celebrate. Tomorrow, the work of serving you begins.”

Mr. Rose’s victory is a historic one. Despite hi

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