State Sen. Devlin Robinson, R-Bridgeville, on Thursday announced his reelection campaign in a pivotal Southwestern Pennsylvania district that could help determine which party controls the Senate.

Robinson, a Marine veteran who served in the Gulf War following the September 11 attacks, said he is running for reelection in District 37 because he has always been drawn to public service.

“I am proudest of two things in my life. The first was wearing our nation’s uniform in combat in Iraq and the other is fighting for the people of Allegheny County in Harrisburg,” he said.

Robinson, 40, was first elected in 2020. He flipped the district from Democratic hands by defeating Pam Iovino. The district has a history of swinging between the major parties. Democrat Matt Smith held it from 2013-2015, then Republican Guy Reschenthaler took over for four years. Democrat Pam Iovino then served from 2019-2020, before Robinson won control.

District 37 includes Allegheny County suburban communities stretching from the Mon Valley through southern and western parts of the county and into the North Hills.

The district has nearly an equal number of registered Republicans and Democrats. It could prove key for control of the Senate, where Republicans hold a 28-22 majority.

The GOP, which has controlled the Senate since 1994, is looking to defend three swing seats, including District 37.

If Democrats flip those districts, the Senate would be tied 25-25. But Democrats would hold the tie-breaking vote thanks to Democratic Lt. Gov. Austin Davis.

Robinson’s opponent, former Jefferson Hills councilwoman and Democrat Nicole Ruscitto, has criticized Robinson for being too conservative for the moderate district.

But Robinson has rejected those claims, touting his ability to pass several bills under Democratic governors and his support from some labor unions.

On Thursday, he announced endorsements from the Pittsburgh Regional Building Trades Council, which is made up of 19 trades unions. One of them, Bricklayers Local 9, praised Robinson for securing grants for the union and applauded his commitment to their goal of boosting workforce training.

“As the grandson of a member of the Iron Workers union, I grew up understanding the importance of giving people a voice in their workplaces,” said Robinson.

He said his experience in Harrisburg is valuable, and he touted his efforts to stop the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation from adding tolls to bridges on Interstate 79 in the South Hills. Robinson said the move would have cost local motorists millions of dollars and added congestion to nearby roads with many drivers wanting to avoid the tolls.

“Someone had to put a halt to this shortsighted move, and I was proud to be that someone,” he said.

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