Lee, Hayes have different priorities for Pennsylvania's 12th District

Each of the candidates vying to represent Pennsylvania’s 12th District in Washington, D.C., have different priorities.

Incumbent Democrat Summer Lee wants to focus on infrastructure along with environmental and economic justice. Republican challenger James Hayes honed in on supporting the energy industry, supporting law enforcement to create safer communities and focusing on illegal immigration at the southern U.S. border.

“I believe my values align the most with people in Western Pennsylvania, especially in terms of have safe communities,” said Hayes, 63, the chief financial officer for a sand and gravel company who is making his first run for political office.

“A large majority of people support law enforcement, and want to see criminals held accountable. Supporting the energy industry brings high-paying union jobs to the area. My opponent wants to see that industry shut down,” he said. “And we see the damage that illegal immigration brings in crime, which comes from having an open, unvetted border.”

Lee, 36, who won a contested Democratic primary against Bhavini Patel, said the 2022 collapse of the Fern Hollow Bridge put a spotlight on both local and national infrastructure needs.

“We’ve already delivered hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding for those efforts,” she said. “We need to continue securing funding and focusing on green energy to create union jobs while addressing environmental harm. Finally, we need to fight for economic justice to ensure that working class people don’t have to continue facing corporate price-gouging while those same folks buy out our political process and drown out our voices in doing so.”

The 12th Congressional District is split among Allegheny and Westmoreland counties. It includes:

• In Westmoreland County: Adamsburg, Arona, Export, Jeannette, Irwin, Madison, Manor, Murrysville, North Huntingdon, North Irwin, Penn Borough, Penn Township, Sewickley Township, Sutersville, Trafford and parts of Hempfield and South Huntingdon.

• In Allegheny County: Pittsburgh and stretches from Plum and Monroeville in the north to Bethel Park, Jefferson Hills, McKeesport, South Park, West Mifflin, Whitehall and parts of Swissvale.

Hayes also pointed to his strong support for Israel.

“I think they’re one of our best allies in the world — a thriving democracy in the Middle East,” he said. “I think it’s strategically important, I support them and their efforts, and my opponent has made remarks which are at odds with Israel’s safety and security.”

Lee said her first term taught her the value of coalition building.

“It’s key to delivering results,” she said. “Whether it’s fighting for infrastructure, addressing environmental justice or taking on corporate influence in our democracy, we’ve built powerful partnerships with labor unions, community leaders and local elected officials. I’ll continue to fight for infrastructure investments, creating good-paying jobs and working to ensure that Black, brown and working class voices are heard in our government.”