Federal

U.S. Representative, 12th Congressional District

Vote for: 1
Term: 2 years
Candidates: 2
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: A member of the U.S. House of Representatives votes on federal laws, taxes and spending on behalf of the district.

Covers all of Pittsburgh and most of Allegheny County's eastern and southern suburbs, including McKeesport, Monroeville, Plum, West Mifflin, Bethel Park, Upper St. Clair, Baldwin, Whitehall, Clairton and the Mon Valley boroughs, plus part of Swissvale. Also includes part of Westmoreland County.

Candidates Compare by issue

James Hayes

Republican

Economist; strategic planning and acquisitions · Shadyside, Pittsburgh

The gist

Calls for reducing regulation and improving permitting to bring back union jobs and protect small businesses.
Supports an all-of-the-above energy strategy and greater use of Pennsylvania's natural gas.
Supports law enforcement, crime prevention funding and holding repeat violent offenders accountable.
Supports expanding school choice for families.
Calls for reining in government spending, more transparency and a balanced budget.
Says he will work across the aisle to bring accountability and civility back to Congress.
Says environmental protection and business growth are not a tradeoff.

More about James

View sources (2)

Calls for reducing regulation and improving permitting to bring back union jobs and protect small businesses.
Summer Lee, James Hayes set for rematch in Pa.'s 12th Congressional District
Interview · Mon Valley Independent · Sep 2, 2026 · Hayes interview with TribLive · monvalleyindependent.com
“improve the permitting processes”
Policy Vision | James Hayes for Congress
Campaign website · James Hayes for Congress · Reviving Our Economy … Reviving Our Economy · jameshayesforpa.com
“I've seen how overregulation has crushed local businesses and sent jobs elsewhere. … I'm committed to policies that support working families, bring back good-paying union jobs, and protect small business owners.”
Supports an all-of-the-above energy strategy and greater use of Pennsylvania's natural gas.
Summer Lee, James Hayes set for rematch in Pa.'s 12th Congressional District
Interview · Mon Valley Independent · Sep 2, 2026 · Hayes interview with TribLive · monvalleyindependent.com
“We have this unique, God-given resource here — natural gas — and we should be taking more advantage of that”
Policy Vision | James Hayes for Congress
Campaign website · James Hayes for Congress · Securing Energy Independence · jameshayesforpa.com
“I support an all-of-the-above energy strategy that keeps our lights on, creates local jobs, and breaks our dependence on foreign powers.”
Supports law enforcement, crime prevention funding and holding repeat violent offenders accountable.
Policy Vision | James Hayes for Congress
Campaign website · James Hayes for Congress · Protecting Public Safety · jameshayesforpa.com
“That means supporting law enforcement, investing in crime prevention, and making sure repeat violent offenders are held accountable.”
Supports expanding school choice for families.
Policy Vision | James Hayes for Congress
Campaign website · James Hayes for Congress · Expanding Education Options · jameshayesforpa.com
“I support expanding school choice so families can find the best fit for their children.”
Calls for reining in government spending, more transparency and a balanced budget.
Policy Vision | James Hayes for Congress
Campaign website · James Hayes for Congress · Restoring Fiscal Responsibility · jameshayesforpa.com
“It's time to rein in wasteful government spending. I'll fight for transparency, balance the books”
Says he will work across the aisle to bring accountability and civility back to Congress.
Policy Vision | James Hayes for Congress
Campaign website · James Hayes for Congress · Restoring Fiscal Responsibility · jameshayesforpa.com
“work across the aisle to bring accountability and civility back to Congress”
Says environmental protection and business growth are not a tradeoff.
Summer Lee, James Hayes set for rematch in Pa.'s 12th Congressional District
Interview · Mon Valley Independent · Sep 2, 2026 · Hayes interview with TribLive … Hayes interview with TribLive · monvalleyindependent.com
“I don't see it as a tradeoff between protecting the environment and running a business. … we also agree that we want industry to be responsible and to care for the environment”

Summer Lee

DemocraticIncumbent

U.S. Representative · Swissvale, Allegheny County

The gist

Supports Medicare for All, eliminating copays, deductibles and premiums.
Sponsors the Abolish Super PACs Act and supports ending Citizens United.
Backs automatic and same-day voter registration, nationwide early and mail voting, and a federal right to vote.
Supports a Green New Deal transition to 100% clean and renewable energy, including ending fracking.
Calls for tuition-free public colleges and vocational programs and cancellation of all student loan debt.
Supports an assault weapons ban, expanded background checks and ending legal protections for gun manufacturers.
Co-leads the Drug Deal Disclosure Act to make public the administration's drug-pricing deals with manufacturers.In office
Helped lead the Stop Wall Street Landlords Act to limit corporate investor purchases of homes.In office
Introduced a bill to end coal-company 'self-bonding' so mine cleanup costs are secured up front.In office
Supports Allegheny County's proposed paid parental leave policy and a national paid family leave program.In office

In office = from the candidate's own official statements or legislation as an officeholder, not their campaign.

More about Summer

View sources (7)

Supports Medicare for All, eliminating copays, deductibles and premiums.
Issues | Summer Lee For Congress
Campaign website · Summer Lee for Congress · Medicare For All … Medicare For All · summerforpa.com
“Medicare for All would eliminate fees and expand coverage … No more copays, deductibles and premiums.”
Sponsors the Abolish Super PACs Act and supports ending Citizens United.
Issues | Summer Lee For Congress
Campaign website · Summer Lee for Congress · Democracy and Voting Rights · summerforpa.com
“comprehensive campaign finance reform that ends Citizens United”
Rep. Summer Lee, Sen. Bernie Sanders Unveil Bill to Abolish Super PACs, Stop Billionaires From Buying Candidates
Public statement · Office of Rep. Summer Lee · May 20, 2026 · Rep. Lee statement, May 20, 2026 · summerlee.house.gov
“lead sponsor of the Abolish Super PACs Act in the House to put democracy back in the hands of the people”
Backs automatic and same-day voter registration, nationwide early and mail voting, and a federal right to vote.
Issues | Summer Lee For Congress
Campaign website · Summer Lee for Congress · Democracy and Voting Rights · summerforpa.com
“federal automatic voter registration, nationwide early and mail voting, federal holidays for election days, and same day voter registration”
Reps. Lee, Neguse, Sen. Ossoff Reintroduce Right to Vote Act to Establish First-Ever Statutory Right to Vote in Federal Elections
Public statement · Office of Rep. Summer Lee · Jun 24, 2026 · Rep. Lee statement, June 24, 2026 · summerlee.house.gov
“I am proud to reintroduce this legislation to give people the power to fight back and make their voices heard.”
Supports a Green New Deal transition to 100% clean and renewable energy, including ending fracking.
Issues | Summer Lee For Congress
Campaign website · Summer Lee for Congress · Environmental Justice … Environmental Justice · summerforpa.com
“I've fought tirelessly for a Green New Deal to transition to a 100% clean and renewable energy economy … This includes ending fracking, which poses a disproportionate threat to communities like ours.”
Calls for tuition-free public colleges and vocational programs and cancellation of all student loan debt.
Issues | Summer Lee For Congress
Campaign website · Summer Lee for Congress · Education · summerforpa.com
“Public colleges and universities and vocational programs should be tuition-free and ALL existing student loan debt should be canceled - period.”
Supports an assault weapons ban, expanded background checks and ending legal protections for gun manufacturers.
Issues | Summer Lee For Congress
Campaign website · Summer Lee for Congress · Gun Violence · summerforpa.com
“I've helped lead the fight to pass an assault weapons ban, expanded background checks, end protections for corporate gun manufacturers”
Co-leads the Drug Deal Disclosure Act to make public the administration's drug-pricing deals with manufacturers.
Reps. Lee, Chu, Castor, Pappas Introduce Drug Deal Disclosure Act to Force Transparency for Trump's Secret Big Pharma Deals
Public statement · Office of Rep. Summer Lee · Jul 15, 2026 · Rep. Lee statement, July 15, 2026 · summerlee.house.gov
“this bill would force the Administration to release these secret agreements and require independent analysis of whether they actually lower costs”
Helped lead the Stop Wall Street Landlords Act to limit corporate investor purchases of homes.
Rep. Summer Lee Blasts Trump for Holding Bipartisan Housing Relief Hostage
Public statement · Office of Rep. Summer Lee · Jun 24, 2026 · Rep. Lee statement, June 24, 2026 … Rep. Lee statement · summerlee.house.gov
“Corporate investors are buying up single-family homes and affordable buildings, driving up costs … That is why I helped lead the Stop Wall Street Landlords Act”
Introduced a bill to end coal-company 'self-bonding' so mine cleanup costs are secured up front.
Reps. Summer Lee and Chris Deluzio Introduce Zombie Mine Bills to Hold Coal Companies Accountable
Public statement · Office of Rep. Summer Lee · May 26, 2026 · Rep. Lee statement, May 26, 2026 · summerlee.house.gov
“My Coal Cleanup Taxpayer Protection Act ends the dangerous practice of self-bonding and makes sure companies put up real money to clean up their mess.”
Supports Allegheny County's proposed paid parental leave policy and a national paid family leave program.
Rep. Summer Lee Backs Paid Parental Leave Push, Says Families Shouldn't Have to Choose Between Care and a Paycheck
Public statement · Office of Rep. Summer Lee · Sep 24, 2026 · Rep. Lee statement, Sept. 24, 2026 … Rep. Lee statement · summerlee.house.gov
“No parent should have to choose between the time it takes to care for a new baby and the paycheck it takes … Paid leave gives families the time and financial stability to do both.”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 8 issues covered in this race.