The countdown is underway to the 2024 Pennsylvania presidential primary.

Even though the presidential candidates for the Republican and Democratic parties have been decided, there are still plenty of important primary races taking place around the Commonwealth.

In the third of our series, PoliticsPA will take a look at two races in Allegheny County in the 34th and 38th districts.

ALLEGHENY COUNTY

34th State House District
Abigail Salisbury (D) vs. Ashley Comans (D)

Salisbury, who won a special election in 2023 after Summer Lee was elected to Congress, is a progressive who has stressed the importance of her diversity as a Jewish woman, bisexual and on the spectrum for autism. Her top priorities include revitalizing community properties, championing investment in infrastructure, supporting reproductive justice, and raising the minimum wage. Salisbury has been endorsed by the Allegheny County Democratic Committee.

• Party: Democrat
• Residence: Swissvale
• House Committee Assignments: Appropriations, Liquor, Environmental Resources & Energy, Commerce, and Local Government.
• Last Election: defeated Robert Pagane, 88-12%, in a 2023 special election
• Experience: PA State House (2023-present); Swissvale Borough Council; Attorney.
• Quotable. “I am your representative in the truest sense of the word, advocating for our district in the same way I advocate to get the best I can for my law clients.”
• Education: B.A., Case Western Reserve; J.D., Pitt Law School
• Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | PA Family Voter Guide | League of Women Voters
• Fundraising (as of 3/4/2024)
  • Raised: $36,478.99 | Spent: $53,978.65 | Cash on Hand: $8,064.57

Comans is also a progressive and previously sought the Democratic nomination in the 2023 special election that went to Salisbury. Comans, whose husband is mayor of Wilkinsburg, says she wants to give district residents the chance to choose their representative, rather than party committee members. Her top priorities include advocating for an $18 state minimum wage and a ban on fracking. Comans has the backing of Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey, Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato and U.S. Rep. Summer Lee.

• Party: Democrat
• Residence: Wilkinsburg
• Experience: Media & Government Relations Manager for the nonprofit Healthy Start; Wilkinsburg School Board Director; Alliance for Police Accountability program manager.
• Quotable. “Your zip code shouldn’t predetermine your opportunities.”
• Education. B.A, Clarion University
• Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | PA Family Voter Guide | League of Women Voters
• Campaign Announcement. WESA (11/20/2023)
• Fundraising (as of 3/4/2024)
  • Raised: $32,678 | Spent: $32,566.61 | Cash on Hand: $12,076.16

District Composition. Part of ALLEGHENY County consisting of the CITY of Pittsburgh (PART, Wards 13 [PART, Divisions 01, 08, 10, 13 and 14] and 14 [PART, Divisions 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18]) and the TOWNSHIP of Wilkins and the BOROUGHS of Braddock, Braddock Hills, Chalfant, Churchill, East Pittsburgh, Edgewood, Forest Hills, North Braddock, Rankin, Swissvale and Wilkinsburg.

ALLEGHENY COUNTY

38th State House District
John Inglis (D), Anthony J. “AJ” Olasz (D) and Victoria Schmotzer (D)

The 38th District looks for new representation as Rep. Nick Pisciottano is leaving the House for a run at the State Senate. To call the race a ‘family affair’ might be an understatement, as all three candidates have family connections to the seat in Harrisburg. The winner will likely meet Republican Stone Sobieralski in November.

 

Inglis is a longtime public school teacher and counselor who stresses the need for more student support services. He’s also a union member who’s been a municipal official in his native West Mifflin for the better part of a decade. Inglis launched his bid within hours after Pisciottano, his cousin, declared his candidacy for Senate. His priorities include providing access for children to get a high-quality education, protecting workers’ rights, and protecting reproductive freedom. Inglis has the backing of the Allegheny County Democratic Committee, as well as Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, and Reps. Jessica Benham and Arvind Venkat.

• Party: Democratic
• Residence: West Mifflin
• Experience. Public educator (2009-present); West Mifflin Borough Council member (2018-present).
• Quotable. “For us to guarantee those same opportunities to the next generation, we need to build a top-flight education system, create and protect good paying union jobs, and keep the community safe.”
• Education. B.S., Duquesne; M.Ed., Westminster
• Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | PA Family Voter Guide | League of Women Voters
• Fundraising. (as of 12/31/2023)
  • Raised: $0 | Spent: $0 | Cash on Hand: $24.19

 

Olasz is vying for the seat once held by his grandfather, Richard Olasz. His father has also served as a magisterial district justice in the community for over 30 years. A first-time candidate, his priorities include helping senior citizens, investing in public safety, improving infrastructure, opposing the sale of US Steel, and protecting women’s rights. He was a pitcher at the University of Cincinnati for four seasons, striking out 84 in 124 2/3 innings with a 5.99 ERA. Olasz continues to serve as a volunteer baseball coach with the West Mifflin varsity and jayvees.

• Party: Democratic
• Residence: West Mifflin
• Experience. Law clerk in firm whose attorneys serve as solicitor for number of local governments.
• Quotable. “Every day is a new opportunity. You can build on yesterday’s success or put its failures behind and start over again. That’s the way life is, with a new game every day, and that’s the way baseball is.”
• Education. B.S., University of Cincinnati; J.D., Northern Kentucky University.
• Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | PA Family Voter Guide | League of Women Voters
• Fundraising. (as of 3/4/2024)
  • Raised: $3,000 | Spent: $3,000 | Cash on Hand: $0

Schmotzer, whose father Martin Schmotzer held a separate House seat for a term, is the lone woman and the lone candidate from the South Hills. She includes among her priorities to establish term limits, fight for a higher minimum wage and women’s reproductive rights, and individualized education programs.