Bethany Hallam
Bethany Hallam is an American politician. Since 2020, she has served as one of two at-large members of Allegheny County Council.
Early life
Hallam grew up in Ross Township, and graduated from Duquesne University.Political career
Hallam defeated a 20-year County Council incumbent, John DeFazio, in the 2019 Democratic primary, & secured the at-large seat in the following general election, making her one of a small number of formerly incarcerated people elected to office in the United States. She was sworn in on January 2nd, 2020.Hallam has been an advocate for a number of causes including criminal justice reform, criminal justice fine & fee reform, abolition of cash bail, harm reduction, and increasing the availability of substance use disorder recovery programs. She is known for her willingness to engage with people who disagree with her.
In her position as a County Councilor, Hallam serves on Allegheny County Jail’s Jail Oversight Board, Allegheny County’s Board of Elections, & Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s board of trustees.