The field to replace Pittsburgh Councilwoman Theresa Kail-Smith just shrank.
Two Democratic candidates vying for her seat on City Council will not appear on the ballot in the May primary following a court ruling.
Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge John McVay last week determined that David Binkoski, 36, of Duquesne Heights did not file required financial disclosure and ethics forms.
McVay also ruled that Amanda Neatrour, 43, of Sheraden, did not submit enough valid signatures on her petition.
Only Kim Salinetro, Kail-Smith’s longtime chief of staff, is left on the Democratic ticket.
Pittsburgh’s City Council District 2 will this year elect a new council member for the first time since 2009, as Kail-Smith, D-West End, plans to retire at the end of her term.
“I take full responsibility for the administrative oversight,” Binkoski told TribLive Monday. “To go out on a minor technicality is disheartening. It’s frustrating. This was never about myself — this was about the people of District 2.”
Though he told TribLive he respected the judge’s decision, in a social media post, Binkoski said he felt that disqualifying a candidate “over a minor technical issue does a disservice to the democratic process.”
Binkoski said he will throw his support behind Neatrour, who is launching a write-in campaign.
Neatrour’s campaign did not immediately respond to requests for comment Monday.
In a social media post, Neatrour said she and Binkoski are aligned in their vision of community-centered leadership that would bring more resources to the district.
“I am honored to have his support and look forward to working alongside him for our campaign to #WriteInForChange,” she wrote.
Salinetro, 58, of Banksville, in January told TribLive her experience working in Kail-Smith’s office makes her uniquely familiar with the needs of the people she hopes to represent.
Salinetro said she wants to transform blighted properties into affordable housing, increase staffing in the city’s police bureau and encourage restaurants and other small businesses to open in the area.
“We gathered over 600 signatures from every neighborhood in the district — a clear sign of strong community support,” Salinetro said in a statement. “With years of experience and a dedicated team already knocking on doors, I’m focused on connecting with voters and delivering the leadership our district deserves.”
Erin Koper, 44, of Elliott, is running unopposed on the Republican side.
She drew attention last summer for criticizing Pittsburgh’s Democratic leaders at the Republican National Convention.
District 2 includes the Banksville, Chartiers City, Crafton Heights, Duquesne Heights, Mount Washington, East Carnegie, Elliott, Esplen, Fairywood, Oakwood, South Shore, Sheraden, West End, Westwood and Windgap neighborhoods.