Candidate withdraws from race for Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey's former Pa. House seat

A woman who planned to run for the state House seat vacated by Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey has rescinded her candidacy, citing proposed legislative maps that will likely put her in a different district.

Ashley Comans of Wilkinsburg had previously launched a campaign in the 24th State House District, which Gainey had represented before leaving the legislature to become Pittsburgh’s mayor.

Preliminary maps drawn in the state’s redistricting process show Wilkinsburg would become part of the 34th State House District starting next year. It is represented by state Rep. Summer Lee, D-Swissvale.

The new maps crafted in the redistricting process will impact the upcoming primary race, but not the special election scheduled for April 5 to fill Gainey’s seat through the end of the year. The special election will be based on the current district.

Comans said she will instead focus her efforts on supporting Lee’s bid for U.S. Congress.

“I know there is much work to be done and my plans of seeking a position in higher office is only delayed,” Comans said, promising to continue serving the community “in my day-to-day work.”

Comans has served on Wilkinsburg’s school board and worked with community organizations and nonprofits supporting social justice issues.

She said she also is focused on supporting her husband, Dontae Comans, who is Wilkinsburg’s newly elected mayor.

Another candidate vying for Gainey’s former seat, NaTisha Washington, 30, also lives in Wilkinsburg. Washington, who serves as the environmental justice organizer for One PA, had said she wanted to run in both the special election and primary races.

She also could be in a new legislative district for the primary if the preliminary maps are approved. Washington said she still plans to run for the special election, which is using the existing legislative district.

Martell Covington, a legislative aide to state Sen. Jay Costa, D-Forest Hills, also announced his bid for the seat. Covington, of Pittsburgh’s Homewood neighborhood, plans to run in the special election and primary.