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Michael Lamb (politician)

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Michael Lamb
City Controller of Pittsburgh
In office
January 7, 2008 – January 8, 2024
Preceded byAnthony Pokora
Succeeded byRachael Heisler
Personal details
Born1962 (age 61–62)
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseJill Zilka
RelativesThomas F. Lamb (father)
Conor Lamb (nephew)
EducationPennsylvania State University, University Park (BA)
Duquesne University (JD)
Carnegie Mellon University (MPP)

Michael Lamb (born 1962) is an American politician and attorney who served as Controller of the City of Pittsburgh from 2008 to 2024. He was most recently a candidate for Allegheny County executive, but was defeated in the Democratic Primary by Sara Innamorato.

Early life and education

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In 1962, he was born to politician Thomas F. Lamb and Barbara Joyce. In high school, he was on the student council and was voted as most active.[1] Lamb first attended Pennsylvania State University where during the 1984 presidential election he coordinated John Glenn's presidential campaign at the college level and eventually graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1984. Lamb earned a Juris Doctor from the Duquesne University School of Law and Master of Public Policy from Heinz College at Carnegie Mellon University.[2]

Career

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In 1986, Lamb volunteered for Representative Doug Walgren. In 2005, he ran in the Democratic primary for the mayoralty of Pittsburgh, but placed third. In 2007, he defeated city council president Doug Shields, former state senator Michael Dawida, and incumbent city controller Anthony Pokora in the Democratic primary for Pittsburgh City Controller.[3] In the general election his only opponent was Mark Rauterkus, a Libertarian, whom he defeated. This was the only time he faced an opponent for the office in a general election.[4]

In 2012, Lamb, along with Jim Burn, chairman of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, and Georgia Berner, criticized Mitt Romney for his statement that he will "take a lot of credit that the auto industry has come back".[5] On January 16, 2013, he announced that he would challenge incumbent Mayor Luke Ravenstahl in the Democratic primary, becoming his second challenger, but after Ravenstahl dropped out he also dropped out and endorsed Auditor General Jack Wagner, who came in second place.[6][7][8][9]

On November 19, 2019, he announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for Pennsylvania Auditor General and later received endorsements from Representative Mike Doyle, Representative Conor Lamb, state Senate Minority leader Jay Costa, and state House Minority Leader Frank Dermody.[10][11] He was defeated in the primary by former Philadelphia deputy mayor Nina Ahmad.[12]

Personal life

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In 1995, Lamb married Jill Zilka. Lamb's nephew, Conor Lamb, is an attorney and served as a member of the United States House of Representatives.

References

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  1. ^ "Lamb isn't unfamiliar to long-shots". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 1 May 2005. p. 10. Archived from the original on 28 November 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ "Controller Michael E. Lamb - Biography | pittsburghpa.gov". pittsburghpa.gov. Retrieved 2020-05-25.
  3. ^ "Pittsburgh City Controller - D Primary 2007". 31 August 2007. Archived from the original on 25 May 2014. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
  4. ^ "Pittsburgh City Controller 2007". 24 January 2008. Archived from the original on 25 May 2014. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
  5. ^ "PA DEMOCRATIC PARTY CHAIRMAN JIM BURN, PITTSBURGH CITY CONTROLLER MICHAEL LAMB AND BERNER INTERNATIONAL CEO & PRESIDENT GEORGIA BERNER CALL OUT MITT ROMNEY'S FALSE CLAIMS & LACK OF INTEGRITY". 9 May 2012.
  6. ^ Cato, Jason (16 January 2013). "City Controller Michael Lamb enters mayoral race with confidence". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Archived from the original on 26 February 2015. Retrieved 16 January 2013.
  7. ^ "Lamb Drops Out Of Mayoral Race". 1 April 2013. Archived from the original on 24 August 2019. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
  8. ^ "Lamb enters mayoral race". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 17 January 2013. p. 9. Archived from the original on 28 November 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Lamb enters mayoral race B2". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 17 January 2013. p. 10. Archived from the original on 28 November 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "Pittsburgh city controller launches bid for Pa. Auditor General". 20 November 2019.
  11. ^ "City controller Michael Lamb announces endorsements for state auditor general 2020 bid". 23 November 2019.
  12. ^ "Pittsburgh City Controller Michael Lamb Concedes Auditor General Primary Race To Nina Ahmad". June 11, 2020. Retrieved June 11, 2020.