Summer Lee

Summer L. Lee (born November 26, 1987)[1] is an American community organizer and politician serving as a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 34th district.[2] She defeated incumbent Paul Costa in the 2018 Democratic primary election with over 67% of the vote, with the support of the local chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America.[3] Lee is the first black woman to represent Southwestern Pennsylvania in the state legislature.[2]

Summer Lee
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
from the 34th district
Assumed office
January 1, 2019
Preceded byPaul Costa
Personal details
Born (1987-11-26) November 26, 1987
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
EducationPennsylvania State University (BA)
Howard University (JD)
WebsiteCampaign website

In October 2021, Lee announced her candidacy for Pennsylvania's 18th congressional district after the incumbent representative Mike Doyle announced his retirement.[4] After Pennsylvania's new congressional districts were chosen in February 2022, Lee announced that she would run in the newly-redrawn 12th congressional district, which includes Pittsburgh as well as parts of the Mon Valley and Westmoreland County.[5]

Early life and education

Lee was raised in North Braddock, Pennsylvania and attended Woodland Hills High School. She graduated from Pennsylvania State University in 2009 and earned a Juris Doctor from the Howard University School of Law in 2015.[1][6][7] She campaigned for Bernie Sanders in the 2016 Democratic primaries after graduating.[8]

Pennsylvania House of Representatives
See also: 2018 Pennsylvania House of Representatives election

Lee challenged incumbent Representative Paul Costa in the Democratic primary for the 34th district in 2018. An organizer from Pittsburgh's DSA chapter approached her about running after she led a successful write-in campaign for a school board candidate.[8] She defeated Costa by a 67.8-32.2% magin, attributing her victory to grassroots campaigning.[9] She was unopposed in the general election.

2018
Democratic primary for Pennsylvania State Representative District 34, 2018[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Summer Lee 6,914 67.77
Democratic Paul Costa (incumbent) 3,288 32.23
Total votes 10,202 100
General election Pennsylvania State Representative District 34, 2018[11]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Summer Lee 21,240 100%
Total votes 21,240 100.0%
Democratic hold

2020
Democratic primary for Pennsylvania State Representative District 34, 2020[12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Summer Lee 11,863 76.36
Democratic Christopher Roland 3,672 23.64
Total votes 15,535 100
General election Pennsylvania State Representative District 34, 2020[13]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Summer Lee 27,129 100%
Total votes 27,129 100.0%
Democratic hold

Committee Assignments

Personal life

Lee lives in Swissvale, Pennsylvania.[8]

See also

References
  1. "Representative Summer Lee". Pennsylvania General Assembly. Retrieved March 23, 2019.
  2. Deto, Ryan (May 23, 2018). "Sara Innamorato and Summer Lee say their victories can open doors for non-traditional and minority candidates in Pittsburgh". Pittsburgh City Paper. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  3. "Pennsylvania Primary Election Results: State Legislature". WTAE-TV. May 16, 2018. Retrieved February 3, 2020.
  4. Gregory Krieg. "Progressive champion Summer Lee enters Pennsylvania primary to replace retiring Rep. Mike Doyle". CNN. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
  5. Koscinski, Kiley (February 23, 2022). "In new Pennsylvania congressional map, some U.S. House candidates find themselves in new districts". Retrieved March 3, 2022.
  6. Taylor Jr., Rob. "Summer Lee strives to brighten her community, as she runs for state House seat". New Pittsburgh Courier. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
  7. Griswold, Eliza (May 12, 2018). "The Hard-Left Candidate Taking On the Democratic Establishment in Southwestern Pennsylvania". The New Yorker. Retrieved February 3, 2020.
  8. Lancianese, Adelina; Davis, Kathleen (May 15, 2018). "Progressive Summer Lee Defeats Incumbent Paul Costa In 34th State House District". WESA. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
  9. Collier, Sean (October 17, 2018). "Q & A: Summer Lee – Why She Won and What's Next". Pittsburgh Magazine. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
  10. "Allegheny Primary Results 2018". Pennsylvania Secretary of State.
  11. "Allegheny General Results 2018". Pennsylvania Secretary of State.
  12. "Allegheny Primary Results 2020". Pennsylvania Secretary of State.
  13. "Allegheny General Results 2020". Pennsylvania Secretary of State.
  14. "Representative Summer Lee". The official website for the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
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