Rep. Nick Pisciottano (D-Allegheny) was elected twice to the Pennsylvania State House and now he seeks to repeat the feat in 2024 for a seat in the Pennsylvania State Senate.

The 33-year-old West Mifflin native who celebrates a birthday tomorrow announced his candidacy for the 45th State Senatorial seat vacated by the retirement of Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny).

Brewster, who has served in Harrisburg since 2010, announced he will not seek re-election earlier in the week.

“My family has called the Mon Valley home since before the Civil War,” said Pisciottano in a press release. “I went into public service to make sure the next generation has the opportunity to succeed here like I did. That means good schools for every kid, safe communities, and good jobs that pay a fair wage. That’s what I fight for in the state House and I want to take that fight to the state Senate.

The chair of the Allegheny County House delegation, he already sports some impressive endorsements, including Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny), Speaker of the Pennsylvania House Joanna McClinton (D-Philadelphia/ Delaware) and House Majority Leader Matt Bradford (D-Montgomery).

A lifelong resident of the Mon Valley who graduated as valedictorian from West Mifflin Area High School before earning degrees at Washington & Jefferson College and Johns Hopkins University, Pisciottano says he has been a champion for working families and fought to make sure Allegheny County gets its fair share of state resources for local parks, job creation, older residents, and its fire, EMS, and police departments.

“I’m also proud of how my office cuts through the red tape to deliver services to thousands of families in our area and make government more accessible for everyone so that you can get the help and the benefits you deserve,” he said in announcing his candidacy.

He intends to focus his energies on his Senate campaign and will not run for re-election to the State House.

Pisciottano is the second Democrat to enter the race in the 45th. Licensed therapist and community organizer Makenzie White announced her own bid in the fall and plans a formal kickoff event tonight. No Republican has formally announced interest in the newly-vacated seat.

Defense of Brewster’s seat is vital to state Democrats in their quest to flip control of the chamber. Presently, Republicans hold a 28-22 advantage in the state Senate with all odd-numbered districts up for election in 2024.

The Allegheny County Republican Committee launched a salvo against Pisciottano after his announcement.

“The Mon Valley politics of yesterday strike again as they try to anoint a hand-picked successor to Senator Brewster,” wrote chair Sam DeMarco. “It is clear based on today’s announcement that Nick Pisciottano has been sitting in the back rooms for months preparing for this run while keeping the rest of the Mon Valley in the dark about the future of Senator Brewster. How else could he announce dozens of endorsements from across the state simultaneously to Senator Brewster’s retirement announcement.

“This election will not be decided by the backroom dealings of Pisciottano. It will be decided by the voters of the 45th District who are sick and tired of the same old politics getting them the same results of a stagnate economy and unsafe communities. It is time for a change in direction and we will have a candidate that presents voters with a real choice.”

Pisciottano and his wife, Molly, have a son and reside in West Mifflin.