2 Pittsburgh Democrats vying for Jake Wheatley's former state House seat

The Rev. Glenn Grayson said he lost “by a fluke” this month in a Democratic committee vote to become the party’s nominee in a special election to fill Jake Wheatley’s former state House seat for the rest of the year.

Grayson, 62, tied social worker and community activist Aerion Abney, 33, in the vote by Democratic committee members and, to break the tie, a name was drawn from an empty margarine container. Abney earned the nod after his name was drawn.

“You’d think in the 21st century, there would be better metrics to figure out what happens to a tie. To be that close, really, he won by a fluke. So now it’s the people’s choice,” said Grayson, pastor of Wesley Center A.M.E. Zion Church and founded of the nonprofit Center that CARES.

Grayson, of Pittsburgh’s Hill District, said he isn’t abandoning the April 5 special election race and is mounting a write-in campaign against the Democratic nominee Abney, of the city’s Manchester neighborhood.

Then in the primary contest, currently scheduled for May 17, both men will seek the Democratic nomination to run in the November election for a two-year term in Harrisburg.

Abney said his experience as a community activist and social worker would guide him in Harrisburg.

“Both social work and being an elected official, they’re both helping professions,” he said. “Elected officials, if they’re doing their job correctly, are just social workers with a different level of influence.”

Abney said he aims to be a voice for those “who feel like they don’t have a voice at the table,” including people of color who he said are underrepresented in Harrisburg.

If elected, Abney said, he would work to ensure that everyone in the community has access to economic opportunity, good-paying jobs and quality housing. He said he would also aim to combat gentrification, support schools and teachers, increase easy access to health care, fight for criminal justice reform and protect people’s right to vote. Grayson — who previously worked as a social worker — said his work as a pastor and experiences serving his community give him a deep understanding of the community he would represent. He serves on numerous boards that work toward improving the community.

“I bring gifts and talents, skills and experience to go across party lines and broker deals that will benefit Pittsburgh and the 19th district,” Grayson said. “I think all those experiences shaped me as a person to be able to serve. The ability to know people, understand people, meet their needs, know their hearts — I’m a very hands-on, reachable person.”

Grayson said he would use his voice in state government to advocate for violence prevention and to curb gun violence. He said he would also work to revitalize local neighborhoods without gentrifying them. Grayson said he is an advocate for education equity and the city’s Black residents, especially those who have felt they aren’t heard by local leaders.

Wheatley, 50, of the Hill District, had been in his 10th term in Harrisburg before stepping down to become chief of staff for newly elected Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey.