State Rep. Emily Kinkead, D-Brighton Heights, won Tuesday’s Democratic primary in Pennsylvania’s 20th State House District, according to unofficial results.
As of Wednesday afternoon, with 97% of precincts reporting results, Kinkead had collected 65.6% of the votes counted compared with challenger Nick Mastros’ 34.4%, unofficial tallies showed. Mastros, of Ross, owns and operates the Allegheny Sandwich Shoppe on Pittsburgh’s North Side.
No Republicans appeared on the ballot in the district that includes Avalon, Bellevue, Ross, West View and the neighborhoods of Brighton Heights and Observatory Hill in Pittsburgh’s North Side.
Kinkead declared victory on Wednesday on social media.
“Thank you to all my staff, supporters, volunteers and voters,” tweeted Kinkead. “This victory is for everyone and I am excited for the opportunity to continue to fight for a better PA for all.”
Despite losing out on the endorsement of the Allegheny County Democratic Committee to Mastros, Kinkead was able to amass support from well-known local political figures like Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald and some labor unions.
Kinkead was first elected in 2020, after she unseated former state Rep. Adam Ravenstahl, D-Ross.
Her campaign was focused on progressive policies such as increasing the minimum wage, improving air and water quality, creating more affordable housing, lowering costs of prescription drugs, decreasing childcare costs and protecting access to abortions.
