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Deluzio wins marquee race in midterm election

By Brad Hundt staff Writer bhundt@observer-Reporter.Com 3 min read
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The “red wave” of Republican victories many prognosticators predicted did not sweep across the country in the midterm election that concluded Tuesday, and that was reflected in the victory of Democrat Chris Deluzio in the 17th Congressional District.

The district sweeps from Mt. Lebanon, South Fayette and Scott Township on its southern edge, up to Ross Township, Wexford and into Beaver County, mixing together upscale voters in suburban neighborhoods along with blue-collar voters in small towns and rural areas. It has all the ingredients of a swing district, and the contest between Deluzio and his Republican opponent, former Ross Township commissioner Jeremy Shaffer, was bitterly fought. Millions of dollars in attack ads flooded local airwaves paid for by the campaigns and outside groups. However, in the end, Deluzio won the seat with 52% of the vote to Shaffer’s 46%, as of totals available on Wednesday afternoon.

Deluzio, a voting rights attorney, had a slightly larger margin of victory than outgoing Democrat Conor Lamb, who did not run for reelection to the seat. In 2020, Lamb took 51% of the vote, with Republican Sean Parnell getting 48%.

In a statement released after the contest was called in his favor, Deluzio said, “We won this race because we offered something different. The good people of Western Pennsylvania believe, as I do, in fighting for the common good, for our shared prosperity, for a government that serves all of us and puts people first. It will be the honor of my lifetime to represent all of us in Congress.”

Conceding the race, Shaffer said, “We honor the results that are there. We’re going to be continuing to work in our communities to try to make a difference.”

U.S. Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, a Republican, ran unopposed in the 14th Congressional District, which includes Peters Township. Democrat Summer Lee will go to Capitol Hill in January, representing the 12th Congressional District, which includes Bethel Park, Bridgeville, Pittsburgh and parts of Westmoreland County. Lee defeated Republican Mike Doyle, a candidate with the same name as the veteran Democrat who is vacating the seat.

The battle between Deluzio and Shaffer was the marquee race in the South Hills, but voters also made decisions on who would represent them in Harrisburg. The night was good for incumbents, as Democratic incumbent state Rep. Anita Astorino Kulik won reelection in a redrawn 45th Legislative District against Republican Mike Pendel.

In the 40th Legislative District, which includes Peters Township, Upper St. Clair and Bethel Park, incumbent Republican state Rep. Natalie Mihalek easily won reelection over Democrat Chris Todd.

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