Democratic Representative Summer Lee has achieved a resounding victory in the primary election for Pennsylvania’s 12th Congressional District. The incumbent candidate garnered a significant lead over her sole challenger, Edgewood Borough Councilmember Bhavini Patel, securing 59% of the vote compared to Patel’s 41%. This outcome not only surpasses Lee’s own win in the 2022 primary but also marks a notable improvement in her performance across the district, including in Westmoreland County, where she previously faced a setback. Lee’s dominance extended to both in-person and mail-in votes, as well as Allegheny County, which encompasses Pittsburgh.
In the 2022 primary, Lee narrowly defeated attorney Steve Irwin by a margin of less than 5,000 votes in Allegheny County. Irwin had a strong showing in Westmoreland County, but the area constitutes a smaller portion of the district’s electorate. This year, Lee’s decisive victory was largely driven by her overwhelming support in Pittsburgh, where she outperformed Patel by a significant margin.
Lee’s primary campaign centered on her advocacy for peace in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and her criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza. She has also been a vocal supporter of efforts to send a message to the Biden administration over the conflict.
In the upcoming November election, Lee will face Republican candidate James Hayes. In the 2022 general election, Lee emerged victorious with 56% of the vote, demonstrating the district’s predominantly Democratic leanings. The 12th District has consistently favored Democratic candidates in recent presidential elections, with Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden securing substantial majorities in 2016 and 2020, respectively.
