Bhavini Patel announces candidacy for state House seat vacated by Summer Lee

Election Day is over but there are still some Pennsylvania state House seats that will need representatives. One Edgewood elected official is putting her name up for consideration.

Bhavini Patel, an Edgewood councilwoman and Democrat, announced on Monday her candidacy for state House District 34, which includes Pittsburgh neighborhoods Homewood, Point Breeze, and Regent Square, as well as Braddock, Churchill, Edgewood, East Pittsburgh, Forest Hills, Rankin, Swissvale, Wilkinsburg, and Wilkins Township.

District 34 will be vacant to start the next legislative session, because its incumbent Summer Lee won her congressional race. She will be seated in the U.S. House of Representatives at the start of the new year. A special election will take place sometime in 2023, but has yet to be scheduled.

Patel said her campaign will focus on investing in public safety, supporting small businesses, and funding maintenance of infrastructure. If elected, she said she will prioritize constituent services and bringing resources back to District 34.

“It would be my absolute honor to serve our community and represent all of us in Harrisburg as we pursue the common goal of improving our home,” tweeted Patel on Monday.

My name is Bhavini Patel, and Pittsburgh has always been my home. Today, I’m proud to announce my candidacy for the Special Election to represent Pennsylvania’s 34th House District. pic.twitter.com/Lsklm1OG34

— Bhavini Patel (@PatelForPA) November 28, 2022

Last year, Patel ran in the primary for the 12th Congressional District, which was eventually won by Lee. Patel dropped out of that race before the May election.

In addition to serving on Edgewood borough’s council, Patel works as the Community Outreach Manager for Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald. She has been featured in Pittsburgh Magazines 30 under 30 and 40 under 40 issues.

Before a special election is held for District 34, political parties will select nominees, usually through a nominating session. The Allegheny County Democratic Committee selects nominees through a session where only committee members that live within the district meet and vote.

Because the makeup of District 34 is so overwhelmingly Democratic, it’s likely whoever wins the Democratic committee nominating session will prevail in the special election, which is open to all registered voters in the district.

The result of that special election will likely have a role in the balance of power in the state House. Democrats won 101 districts in the last election, giving them a narrow 1-seat majority. However, with three of those districts currently vacant due to candidates winning other elections or passing away, Democrats need to win all three special elections to maintain their majority.