Congressional incumbents hold big cash edge

Financial filings with the Federal Election Commission had to be submitted last Wednesday.

By TOM FONTAINE
TribLive

Congressional incumbents seeking reelection in Western Pennsylvania have significantly more cash to fuel their campaigns than their challengers, new filings show.

U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio, D-Fox Chapel, has the biggest money advantage, according to the latest filings with the Federal Election Commission, which were due Wednesday. His campaign raised $2.1 million and spent $1.5 million from Jan. 1, 2025, through March 31 and ended the first quarter of this year with about $996,000 in available cash, according to a finance report filed with the Federal Election Commission.

He is seeking a third term representing the 17th Congressional District, which includes part of Allegheny County and all of Beaver County.

Two Republicans are seeking their party’s nomination in the May 19 primary to run against Deluzio in November. Beaver County Sheriff Tony Guy, of Hopewell, raised $7,932 and spent $59 through March 31, leaving him with $7,873 in available cash, according to the FEC. Robinson’s Jesse James Vodvarka did not file a campaign finance report. He previously told TribLive that he hasn’t raised or spent at least $5,000, the threshold that would require him to file a detailed campaign finance report.

“With just over six months until the election, Chris Deluzio’s campaign has dominant momentum, earning support from tens of thousands of grassroots donors across the commonwealth and the country,” campaign spokeswoman Zoe Bluffstone said in a statement.

In the 12th Congressional District, which includes parts of Allegheny and Westmoreland counties, U.S. Rep. Summer Lee, D-Swissvale, raised more than $1.3 million and spent just over $500,000 through March 31, leaving her with $1.8 million in cash on hand, according to the FEC. Democratic challenger William Parker, of Pittsburgh, did not file a campaign finance report. Republican James Hayes, also of Pittsburgh, raised $24,740 and spent $6,884, leaving him with $18,541 in available cash, records show.

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.

In the 14th Congressional District, which includes all of Fayette, Greene and Washington counties and parts of Westmoreland, Indiana and Somerset counties, U.S. Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, R-Peters, raised nearly $3.5 million and spent more than $3.1 million through March 31, leaving him with $908,487 million in cash on hand, according to the FEC.

A Democratic challenger, Donora native Alan Bradstock of Fayette County’s Dunbar Township, raised $114,273 and spent $67,647 through March 31, leaving him with $46,626 in available cash, FEC records show.

In the 16th Congressional District, which includes all of Butler, Lawrence, Mercer, Crawford and Erie counties and part of Venango County, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Butler, raised $846,094 and spent $717,011 through March 31, leaving him with nearly $1.2 million in available cash, according to the FEC.

A Democratic challenger, Justin Wagner of Mercer, raised $24,455 and spent $10,720 through March 31, leaving him with $13,735 in available cash, FEC records show.