Summer Lee
Summer Lee | |
---|---|
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Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 34th district | |
Incumbent | |
Assumed office January 1, 2019 | |
Preceded by | Paul Costa |
Personal details | |
Born | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. | November 26, 1987
Political party | Democratic |
Education | Pennsylvania State University (BA) Howard University (JD) |
Website | Campaign website |
Summer L. Lee (born November 26, 1987)[1] is an American lawyer, 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]
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[]
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.
Electoral history[]
2018[]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Summer Lee | 6,914 | 67.77 | |
Democratic | Paul Costa (incumbent) | 3,288 | 32.23 | |
Total votes | 10,202 | 100 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Summer Lee | 21,240 | 100% | |
Total votes | 21,240 | 100.0% | ||
Democratic hold |
2020[]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Summer Lee | 11,863 | 76.36 | |
Democratic | Christopher Roland | 3,672 | 23.64 | |
Total votes | 15,535 | 100 |
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] She tested positive for COVID-19 in early 2021.[15]
See also[]
- List of Democratic Socialists of America who have held office in the United States
- Sara Innamorato
References[]
- ^ a b "Representative Summer Lee". Pennsylvania General Assembly. Retrieved March 23, 2019.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ "Pennsylvania Primary Election Results: State Legislature". WTAE-TV. May 16, 2018. Retrieved February 3, 2020.
- ^ Gregory Krieg. "Progressive champion Summer Lee enters Pennsylvania primary to replace retiring Rep. Mike Doyle". CNN. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
- ^ Koscinski, Kiley (February 23, 2022). "In new Pennsylvania congressional map, some U.S. House candidates find themselves in new districts". Retrieved March 3, 2022.
- ^ Taylor Jr., Rob. "Summer Lee strives to brighten her community, as she runs for state House seat". New Pittsburgh Courier. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
- ^ Griswold, Eliza (May 12, 2018). "The Hard-Left Candidate Taking On the Democratic Establishment in Southwestern Pennsylvania". The New Yorker. Retrieved February 3, 2020.
- ^ a b c Lancianese, Adelina; Davis, Kathleen (May 15, 2018). "Progressive Summer Lee Defeats Incumbent Paul Costa In 34th State House District". WESA. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
- ^ Collier, Sean (October 17, 2018). "Q & A: Summer Lee – Why She Won and What's Next". Pittsburgh Magazine. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
- ^ "Allegheny Primary Results 2018". Pennsylvania Secretary of State.
- ^ "Allegheny General Results 2018". Pennsylvania Secretary of State.
- ^ "Allegheny Primary Results 2020". Pennsylvania Secretary of State.
- ^ "Allegheny General Results 2020". Pennsylvania Secretary of State.
- ^ a b c "Representative Summer Lee". The official website for the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
- ^ Felton, Julia (January 5, 2021). "State Rep. Summer Lee tests positive for covid-19". TribLive. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
External links[]
- Summer Lee for PA campaign website
- 1987 births
- 20th-century African-American people
- 20th-century African-American women
- 21st-century African-American politicians
- 21st-century African-American women
- 21st-century American politicians
- 21st-century American women politicians
- African-American state legislators in Pennsylvania
- African-American women in politics
- Howard University School of Law alumni
- Lawyers from Pittsburgh
- Living people
- Members of the Democratic Socialists of America
- Members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
- Pennsylvania Democrats
- People from North Braddock, Pennsylvania
- Politicians from Pittsburgh
- Women state legislators in Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania State House of Representatives stubs