This Key Pennsylvania County Is Up for Grabs Again

MUNHALL, Pa.—Nestled in the serene suburbs of Pittsburgh lies Allegheny County, a pivotal region in American politics with a population of 1.2 million.

Allegheny County boasts a diverse demographic mix that shapes national politics, including urban professionals, steelworkers, college students, retirees, and union laborers. Despite its Democratic leanings, even a slight shift in support from this area can significantly influence Pennsylvania’s elections, which are increasingly decided by razor-thin margins.

In the 2024 election, President Donald Trump captured such votes, contributing to his victory.

With the commencement of Trump’s second term, Allegheny County is preparing to vote on March 25 for a new state representative.

The passing of state Rep. Matthew Gergely (D-McKeesport) on January 19 has left a vacancy in House District 35, which includes Munhall, McKeesport, and Homestead, among others.

State House elections typically focus on local issues rather than national political trends. Special elections, in particular, tend to attract low voter awareness and turnout. However, the recent federal government restructuring initiatives introduced by Trump and their implications on state governance are firmly on voters’ minds.

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The sweeping and swift changes introduced by the Trump administration to curtail the size and expenditure of the federal government have drawn criticism at town hall meetings nationwide. Voters in both Allegheny County and the broader state have played a role in this outcome, with their opinions on Trump’s actions serving as a barometer for national sentiment.

Additionally, Gergely’s passing has resulted in a stalemate within the state House of Representatives, leaving it evenly split at 101 Democrats and 101 Republicans. The winning party in this district can control the state legislature, which will evaluate Gov. Josh Shapiro’s final comprehensive budget proposal prior to his reelection bid. Consequently, voters in District 35 hold significant sway over the political trajectory of the state.

The Epoch Times engaged with candidates, voters, and political figures in District 35 to gain insights on this critical electoral contest.

DOGE and Tariffs

Trump’s federal spending reductions, driven by Elon Musk at the U.S. DOGE Service Temporary Organization, have faced backlash from both local Republican and Democratic voices.

“I don’t see eye-to-eye with some of it. He’s coming in and dismantling entire agencies. It should be a more measured approach; assess what’s truly necessary,” Chuck Davis, the Republican nominee for the special election, stated during a campaign event on March 21. “People are worried about it.”

Davis’s perspective contrasts with many Republican officials nationwide, who commend the administration’s efforts to streamline or eliminate what they consider superfluous agencies, like the U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Agency for International Development, particularly in light of the nation’s mounting debt.

Moreover, Republican voters in the district expressed apprehension regarding these initiatives, even while they support Trump’s vision for a leaner, more efficient federal government.

“I just think the pace at which they are doing things is too rapid. It’s causing a lot of anxiety because everything is happening too quickly,” stated Mary Tomasic, a McKeesport resident and registered Republican. “It feels too rushed, especially in an area struggling economically, and it terrifies people.”

Democrats in the area, echoing widespread concerns from their party, are opposed to the budget cuts and tariffs instituted by the Trump administration.

The Allegheny County Democratic Committee has been actively critiquing these policies through social media campaigns.

Historically, Allegheny and Pittsburgh have been central to Pennsylvania’s steel industry, an economic mainstay for the community. However, decades of factory closures have eroded many local economies.

Allegheny serves as a representative example of post-industrial America, which Trump successfully appealed to by promising tariffs to revive manufacturing jobs.

“Since the closure of the steel mills, the primary economic driver in this region, things have consistently declined,” Tomasic remarked.

The implementation of tariffs has contributed to rising grocery prices across the nation and stock market instability, issues which Democrats are leveraging to criticize Trump. Regardless of whether the tariffs are directly responsible, Allegheny voters are keen to associate rising food prices with these policies.

“All these tariffs, what benefits is this bringing us? It’s not,” said Donna Benius, a Munhall resident who voted by mail for the Democratic candidate. “The cost of everything is increasing… It’s hard to understand how families manage to get by. I really don’t know how they can even afford groceries.”

Benius questioned the rationale behind the tariff policies.

“The firms departed the U.S. because they couldn’t sustain wages to keep running. What incentive do they have to return to the U.S. when operating costs are so steep?” she pondered.

“Prices just keep rising. It appears there’s no halt to it.”

Brian Fodor, a Republican, conveyed his dissatisfaction, stating “the economy is terrible.”

“Things are tough here,” he stated as he exited a liquor store, noting the price hike of the beer he had just bought.

“I believe the tariffs and policies will yield positive results eventually, but currently, it’s a challenging process,” Davis remarked. “I’m optimistic for the long term.”

The Epoch Times met with Dan Goughnour, the Democratic nominee, at his campaign office, but his team denied a verbal interview for this article.

His campaign provided a statement to The Epoch Times indicating that the primary concern in the district is the cost of living, without mentioning tariffs or other pressing issues.

Control of the State House

As the special election nears, control of the Pennsylvania General Assembly hangs in the balance. While the House of Representatives is currently gridlocked, Republicans maintain a slight two-seat majority in the State Senate, with one vacant seat in a Republican district. Winning District 35 would grant the party control of the legislature and diminish Shapiro’s political foothold.

The GOP, following its victories in the 2024 statewide elections for U.S. senator and key state offices, is eager to unseat Shapiro, a prominent figure in the Democratic Party who was considered for the vice-presidential nomination in 2024, and is up for reelection in 2026.

“This changes everything. If we take the House, negotiations shift from the Democrats to directly with Gov. Shapiro, and we can pass any budget we propose, leaving him with no choice but to agree,” state Sen. Greg Rothman, chairman of the Pennsylvania Republican Party, expressed in an interview with The Epoch Times during a campaign event for Davis.

If the Republicans secure control of the House, they plan to concentrate on energy policies, specifically by withdrawing from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a cap-and-trade system that mandates costs for carbon emissions imposed on energy producers. This initiative is a cornerstone of Shapiro’s strategy to tackle climate issues, yet it has faced criticism from state Senate Republicans, who have voted to repeal it.

“We aim to unleash Pennsylvania’s potential for domestic energy production by promoting natural gas and reinstating coal-powered generation. A Republican legislature can make that happen,” Rothman stated. Natural gas, particularly via hydraulic fracturing, is a vital industry in the state.

“Gov. Shapiro and the Democrats in the State House are not making decisions that foster the growth of this industry,” said Jondavid Longo, Mayor of Slippery Rock, during his campaign for Davis in District 35. “Many individuals in this district rely on oil and gas jobs… they face threats to their livelihoods from damaging policies like RGGI that hinder oil and gas production in Pennsylvania and render it less profitable.”

Recently, Fetterman has diverged from several mainstream Democratic positions, notably expressing support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu amid ongoing conflicts with Hamas. He also endorsed the Laken Riley Act, which advocates for heightened detention of undocumented immigrants in the U.S., and supported a recent spending bill that imposed notable cuts to social programs, drawing mixed reactions within the Democratic Party.

In his home county, voters from both parties have reported admiration for Fetterman, though some Democrats have faulted him for his independent views.

“He supported the [continuing resolution] to avoid a government shutdown, which I consider reasonable,” remarked James Hayes, the GOP nominee for Congress in Pennsylvania’s 12th District, currently held by Rep. Summer Lee (D-Pa.) and comprises much of the county.

“I believe he is aligned with the community regarding support for Israel, which reflects the values of our local Jewish population,” Hayes added, though he critiqued Fetterman on issues related to transgender rights.

Rothman, serving as state party chair, stated he is actively attempting to persuade Fetterman to switch allegiances, although Fetterman has publicly expressed disinterest in changing parties.

“I’ve heard chatter among Democrats that he may face a primary challenge from more liberal factions. … His optimal strategy may be to realign with the Republicans, and we would welcome him,” Rothman stated.

Benius, the Munhall Democrat, remarked of Fetterman: “Thus far, he’s acceptable, and I believe he is trying to cater to various interests.”

John Thomas, a registered Republican and veteran from Munhall, expressed positive sentiments towards Fetterman, asserting that he feels Fetterman is performing well.

“I genuinely mean it,” he affirmed, expressing potential support for Fetterman in the 2028 election.

Tomasic, the McKeesport Republican, opined: “We evaluate the candidate, not the party.”

“We’re not fixated on whether they’re blue or red. We prioritize individuals who genuinely care and aspire to improve this area, irrespective of their party affiliation.”