Voter guide to Pennsylvania State House 46th District election: Ortitay v. Taylor
What's at stake? Historically a Democratic stronghold, House District 45 flipped for the Republicans in 2014 with the election of Jason Ortitay, who has held the seat ever since. The district sits southwest of Pittsburgh along the Interstate 79 corridor and splits Allegheny and Washington counties. After beating a Democratic challenger by more than 10 points in 2018 , Ortitay's hold on the district swelled two years later. (The incumbent pulled in about two-thirds of the vote in 2020 and ran unopposed in 2022.) House District 46 includes Oakdale, South Fayette Township and part of McDonald in Allegheny County and Canonsburg, Cecil Township, Chartiers Township, Houston, Mount Pleasant Township, North Strabane Township and part of McDonald in Washington County.
District map:
Jason OrtitayOrtitay has represented the 46th House District for nine years. He stepped into politics after studying business, working in the banking industry and founding a cheesecake company that he said had raised more than $100,000 for charities. The Republican's share of the district vote has increased with each election; he faced no challenger in 2022. His campaign website highlights legislative accomplishments of improving literacy and mental health programs in schools, funding park upgrades and repairing infrastructure in his district.
: Republican Place of residence: Cecil Township, Washington County : Bachelor's degree in business administration, Robert Morris University; MBA, Stetson University Current occupation: Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 46 Related experience: State lawmaker since 2015, serving on House committees for Transportation, Education and Consumer Protection. Ortitay is the Republican chair of subcommittees on special education and highways/bridges. Supporters/endorsements: Pennsylvania Association of Realtors; state chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business Inc.; state Association of Staff Nurses & Allied Professionals : Website | Facebook | YouTube Total fundraising (reported as of 10/1/24): $17,095.00 (2023 ending cash balance: $27,398.75) : $ 27,453.10
Further reading: " Allegheny County lawmakers plan bipartisan effort to raise home care wages " (Sarah Boden, WESA) " New department of disability rights could knock down bureaucratic barriers, supporters say " (Ben Wasserstein, WESA) " Pa. schools won't be required to adopt the 'science of reading' next year " (Maddie Hanna, Philadelphia Inquirer)
WESA Candidate Survey
Alex TaylorTaylor has worked in health care support roles since graduating from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown with a political science degree. His campaign website says, if elected, he would push for legislation that protects the environment, fully fund schools, reform gun laws, lower medication costs and defend women's reproductive rights. Taylor has previously supported campaigns but has not run for office himself until challenging Ortitay.
: Democratic Place of residence: Canonsburg, Washington County : B.A. in Political Science and an international studies certificate, University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown Current occupation: Most recently, a patient support specialist Related experience: Has worked on campaigns for Congress, state legislature and local magisterial district court: canvassing, phone banking, sending mailers and poll watching, according to his social media accounts. Supporters/endorsements: He's endorsed by climate and environmental groups, Planned Parenthood, the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, the state AFL-CIO and CeaseFire PA : Website | Facebook | X | Instagram | LinkedIn Total fundraising (reported as of 10/1/24): $761.68 : $98.46
