Democrats Kettering, Warden-Rodgers vie for nomination as Ross 6th Ward commissioner

Two Democrats are vying in the May 20 primary for the Ross commissioner seat representing the township’s sixth ward. The candidates are incumbent John W. Kettering and challenger Haley Warden-Rodgers.

The Republican candidate, Justin Jeffrey, is unopposed in the primary. Ross has nine commissioners, each from a ward, who are staggered so that roughly half of the board is up for election in each municipal election year. Candidates in three other wards also are uncontested — incumbent Democrat Chris Rand Eyster and Republican Joseph Aguglia in Ward 2, Democrat Dwayne Lee Allen and Republican Jared Miller in Ward 4, and incumbent Democrat Denise Rickenbrode and Republican Dean C.



Riegel in Ward 8. John Kettering Age : 38 Political affiliation : Democrat Education : Bachelor’s degree in economics and history, University of Pittsburgh; juris doctor from University of Pittsburgh School of Law Occupation : Attorney Residence : Ross Elected experience : Appointed Ross commissioner Why I’m running : I believe local government works best when it focuses on practical improvements that make residents’ lives better. That’s why I’m running for a full term as commissioner.

Ross Township needs leadership dedicated to tangible improvements to our roads and infrastructure, responsible financial management, and better communication with residents. My legal background and deep local connections give me the tools to address these challenges effectively. I understand what makes our township special and the issues we face daily.

I’m committed to finding achievable solutions that work for everyone — identifying problems and solving them efficiently with common sense. I’ll also prioritize enhancing our parks to create vibrant community spaces for residents of all ages. Working together we can preserve what we love about Ross while moving forward with smart, responsible governance that puts residents first.

Haley Warden-Rodgers Age : 39 Political affiliation : Democrat Education : Joint bachelor’s and master’s degrees, Yale University; juris doctor from Duke University School of Law Occupation : Attorney Residence : Ross Elected experience : None Why I’m running : I am running for the Ross Township Board of Commissioners because I believe that on a hyper-local level, we have much more that brings us together than pulls us apart. As I watch the chaos and uncertainty resulting from the Trump administration, I am mindful of the impact on our community — whether that means reduced funding for critical public services, job insecurity or loss of hard-earned retirement benefits. I want to do my part to ensure my neighbors have what they need to thrive.

My priorities include promoting sustainable development, supporting local businesses, enhancing public services, making government more responsive to the needs of underrepresented groups and combating food insecurity. In addition, I would be (to my knowledge) the first openly gay elected official in Ross Township. I am committed to making a positive impact.

If elected, I will donate 100% of my pay as commissioner to local charities..