2024 Pennsylvania general election voters' guide: U.S. House District 12

Candidates participating in this year's general election were invited to submit information to the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania, which partnered with PennLive to create this voters' guide.

The candidates below are in contested races to represent Pennsylvania in Congress and are in the order provided by the League of Women Voters.

District 12

Summer Lee

Party: Democratic

County: Allegheny

Occupation: American politician who is the U.S. representative for Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district

Education: I graduated from Pennsylvania State University in 2009 and earned a Juris Doctor from the Howard University School of Law

Qualifications: In 2022, I was the first Black woman from my region elected to represent Pennsylvania's 12th district. I secured $1 Billion in federal investments for Western PA, which will improve our infrastructure & transit and create thousands of union jobs. I also have leadership positions in many caucuses.

Contact: summerforpa.com facebook.com/SummerForPA www.instagram.com/summerleeforpa/

What do you see as the most pressing issues facing the country, and how would you address them?

Throughout our nation's history, we have never delivered on the promises of democracy. The legacy of slavery has carried on through gerrymandering and voter suppression, and democracy reform is the root of all issues we face today. Our region suffers from some of the poorest air quality in the nation. Environmental justice is one of our most pressing issues, which is why I've fought for a Green New Deal to transition to a renewable energy economy. Every child also deserves access to a first-rate, free public education despite their background. Right-wing extremists on the Supreme Court have gutted our right to abortion care. Congress must do everything in its power to restore our fundamental freedom to control our bodies and our futures.

What changes, if any, would you support that would help Congress function more efficiently and effectively?

I believe that we should end the filibuster, a tool used by segregationist Senators to oppose civil rights legislation, that stands in the way of progress today. We need to ban members of Congress from trading stocks because they should not be profiting off access to closed-door information about the companies they should be regulating. Members of Congress who trade stocks have a clear conflict of interest 'Äî they need to work for the people they represent, not for their own portfolios. I also want to enforce real ethics requirements, end lifetime appointments, and expand the federal courts so that right-wing extremists can't sell our freedoms to the highest bidder. As I said, we also need to get money out of politics more fundamentally.

What legislation would you support to protect voting rights and safeguard access to free and fair elections?

I support the Freedom to Vote Act, which improves access to the ballot for Americans, advances commonsense federal election standards and campaign finance reforms, and strengthens our democracy. I've also cosponsored the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2023 to protect voting rights against attacks by Republican state legislatures and right wing judges by revitalizing the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and strengthening legal protections against discriminatory voting policies and practices. By improving access to the ballot and passing legislation against discriminatory voting practices, we can protect voting rights for citizens all across the nation and make elections fair and free.

How do you view the role of the US in responding to challenges facing the international community?

We are a pro-peace office that believes the United States has a crucial role in the world. The United States must be a global leader in fighting climate change, promoting global economic justice, and creating a more peaceful and just world for all.

James Hayes

Party: Republican

County: Allegheny

Occupation: Chief Financial Officer

Education: B.S.F.S., International Economics, Georgetown Univ.; M.P.A., Economics and Policy, Princeton Univ.; M.B.A., Finance and Accounting, Univ. of Chicago; D.B.A., Management, Case Western Reserve Univ.

Qualifications: Accomplished business leader with extensive international business development, risk management, marketing, financial analysis, and strategic planning experience. Progressive leadership roles at prominent organizations, focusing on driving business growth and collaboration.

Contact: jameshayesforpa.com facebook.com/jameshayesforpa instagram.com/jameshayesforpa

What do you see as the most pressing issues facing the country, and how would you address them?

Loss of control of the southern border. I believe that the U.S. House's HR2 needs to become law so that the asylum loopholes are closed and there are meaningful and effective controls at the border.

Restoring energy independence/dominance. Congress should eliminate the restrictions placed on the energy industry, including restoring strategic pipeline infrastructure. We need permitting reform to remove the delay and uncertainty plaguing new projects and the industry needs to be free to grow while respecting environmental rules.

Education reform. It isn't fair that a zip code determines the quality of education a child receives. We need to implement School Choice to allow the funds to follow the child.

What changes, if any, would you support that would help Congress function more efficiently and effectively?

I think that Congress functions exactly how the Founding Fathers intended. There are legitimate policy differences between the two major parties and Congress provides a forum for these differences to be debated, developed into a consensus position and passed into law. It isn't meant to be easy and shouldn't be because the outcomes impact the lives of so many.

What legislation would you support to protect voting rights and safeguard access to free and fair elections?

I believe that it is not too much to ask for voters to be required to provide a photo ID when they go to vote. This requirement exists for many less important things that we do in our daily lives. I think a photo ID requirement would go a long way to reassure voters that only legitimate votes will be cast and counted. In general I would support any measure that creates more transparency in the process between when a vote is cast and when it is counted and recorded. Such measures can included improved cyber and physical security for the voting process.

How do you view the role of the US in responding to challenges facing the international community?

I believe that the constitution establishes a contract between the Government and the people of the USA. That contract is for those who are public servants to advocate for the interests of our country. The role of the US in responding to challenges facing the international community should be to always work toward ensuring the safety and prosperity of our nation's citizens.