Penn Hills mayor seeks Democratic nomination for DeLuca's former house seat

Penn Hills Mayor Pauline Calabrese is seeking the Democratic nomination for the Pennsylvania House seat previously held by the late Tony DeLuca, her campaign announced Wednesday, Jan. 24.

The April 23 primary will be Democratic voters’ first chance to weigh in on the nominee to succeed DeLuca, who served for 40 years before his death in October 2022, one month before the general election. DeLuca’s name still appeared on the ballot and he won what would have been his 21st term, triggering a special election.

Rep. Joe McAndrew cruised to victory against Republican Clay Walker in February after beating out Calabrese and other candidates for the nomination from the Allegheny County Democratic Committee.

“This has never gone to a primary election yet,” Calabrese said. “And I think that the voters should be given a choice.”

Calabrese said the seat would be a natural progression from the mayorship, where she has ushered an improved fiscal outlook, upgraded infrastructure and full police staffing.

“I turned things around in Penn Hills,” Calabrese said. “We were headed for bankruptcy, and I’ve tripled our fund balance.”

She added that the seat would allow her to better secure funding for the 32nd District, which includes Penn Hills, Oakmont, Verona and parts of Plum.

“Frankly, instead of asking somebody in Harrisburg to bring funding back to this region, I’d like to go and speak for us directly,” Calabrese said.

McAndrew said the Calabrese’s announcement came as “a bit of a surprise.”

“I really think she should be prioritizing focusing on her responsibilities that she was just elected for in her municipality,” McAndrew said.

He touted his record in Harrisburg of bringing $13.5 million to the district and handling about 10,900 constituent cases last year, more than double the average representative.

McAndrew also took credit for helping to advance legislation in a House that has alternated between a one-seat Democratic majority and an even split.

“I’ve been in Harrisburg doing my job and pushing a Democratic agenda forward for Josh Shapiro,” McAndrew said.