U.S. Rep. Summer Lee, James Hayes Spar For 12th District House Seat

PITTSBURGH, PA —Two years ago, Democrat Summer Lee vaulted from the state House to the U.S. House after being elected to succeed retiring Rep. Mike Doyle. Now the progressive candidate is seeking re-election amid criticism from a member of her own party for her stance on last year's Hamas attack on Israel.

Her opponent, Republican James Hayes of Shadyside, is a first-time candidate with a background in finance whose conservative positions offer voters a stark contrast to Lee's political leanings.

The pair are battling for the seat representing Pennsylvania's 12th Congressional District, which includes Pittsburgh, some of its eastern suburbs, the Mon Valley and a slice of Westmoreland County.

Financially, Lee, 36, of Swissvale, has a huge edge over Hayes, having raised nearly $2.7 million in 2023-24 to his modest $86,000 during the same period. A much more known commodity than Haynes, Lee says she has helped to secure $1 billion in federal investments for Western Pennsylvania to improve infrastructure and transit and create thousands of union jobs.

Lee recently told the League of Women Voters of Greater Pittsburgh that democracy reform is the root of all issues America currently faces. "We have never delivered on the promises of democracy. The legacy of slavery has carried on through gerrymandering and voter suppression," she said.

Lee also believes that some of the key issues facing the region are its poor air quality, the need to transition to a renewable energy, a first-rate, free public education and the restoration of women's right to control their own bodies.

Lee, Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey and Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato recently were criticized by U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, a fellow Democrat, for a joint statement the trio released on the Oct. 7 anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel. The statement was pro-Palestinian and did not criticize Hamas for its role in the attacks that left 1,200 Israelis dead.

Casey, however, has not withdrawn his endorsement of Lee.

Hayes recently told the League of Women Voters that the number one issue facing the nation is the loss of control over the southern border. "I believe that the U.S. House's HR2 needs to become law so that the asylum loopholes are closed and there are meaningful and effective controls at the border," he said.

Hayes also would like to see Congress eliminate restrictions placed on the energy industry and restore strategic pipeline infrastructure. He also would like to see education reform that would include implementing school choice "to allow the funds to follow the child."

Lee has been endorsed by the state AFL-CIO, various unions, numerous local, state and federal Democratic electric officials and Planned Parenthood. Hayes' endorsements include the Republican Committee of Pittsburgh.