Challenger Comans seeks to oust incumbent Salisbury in Democratic primary for Pa. House's 34th District

In Pittsburgh’s East End neighborhoods and nearby suburbs, a Democratic primary battle for a state House seat is pitting a progressive challenger against a mainstream incumbent.

Ashley Comans, a Wilkinsburg school board member, said the 34th Legislative District is hungry for someone who champions progressive policies like boosting public schools, increasing the state minimum wage to $18 an hour, and more air quality enforcement.

“It is possible to have a strong and bold and progressive leader for issues that impact the community,” said Comans, 36.

Rep. Abigail Salisbury, D-Swissvale, said she has focused on constituent services and garnered praise for it from her Democratic caucus.

“I am the nuts-and-bolts, get-things-done kind of representative,” said Salisbury, 42.

The contest spans a district that is overwhelmingly Democratic. There is no Republican running in the primary.

The election on Tuesday will almost certainly determine the district’s next representative.

Both candidates are vying to represent a district that includes the Pittsburgh neighborhoods of Homewood, Point Breeze and Regent Square, as well as Braddock, Churchill, Edgewood, East Pittsburgh, Forest Hills, Rankin, Swissvale, Wilkinsburg and Wilkins.

Salisbury won a special election in February 2023 to fill a vacancy after Democratic Party insiders nominated her.

The candidates both believe they are needed to help diversify the state legislature.

Comans, who is Black, would be only the second Black woman from Western Pennsylvania in Harrisburg if elected.

Salisbury is the only Jewish woman in the state House and is one of just two openly autistic representatives.

The 34th District was formerly held by U.S. Rep. Summer Lee, D-Swissvale, a progressive.

Democrats have a 5-1 voting registration advantage over Republicans in the district, making it one of the most liberal in the region.

Ashley Comans

Comans was born and raised in the district. Her husband is Wilkinsburg’s mayor.

She cited her time on the Wilkinsburg School Board as valuable experience that could be useful in Harrisburg, particularly in boosting public education in the district and throughout the state.

She said the legislature needs to fix the formula it uses for public school funding, citing a state Supreme Court decision that found low-income districts to be underfunded.

Comans opposes proposals to use state taxpayer dollars to fund vouchers for private schools. She said the state should use part of its $14 billion surplus to increase funding to school districts in need.

That, along with addressing air quality concerns, is vital for the district, particularly in some hard-hit Mon Valley communities, according to Comans.

“We need to think about families moving to our community and finding a place to ground their roots,” Comans said. “We need to support them building and strengthening our communities.”

Comans said she supports Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro’s efforts to legalize recreational marijuana and tax “skill” gambling games to boost state revenue.

Comans touts her progressive support in contrast to Salisbury. She said Salisbury has “not stood with progressive leaders” like Lee, who won multiple races in the district by wide margins.

Lee, along with Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey and Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamaroto, endorsed Comans for the seat.

Comans’ campaign has also attracted considerable financial backing from progressive groups and like-minded politicians.

Comans raised over $105,000 between early March and early April, which is more than double what Salisbury raised in the same period.

Comans is also championing increasing the state minimum wage to $18 an hour from $7.25 and said a stronger focus on Black maternal health is important, given the region’s poor statistics concerning Black health and economic prosperity.

Abigail Salisbury

Salisbury said her work as the district’s state representative for more than a year has been crucial in driving her campaign.

She said many of the district’s 13 municipalities need assistance with everyday services, and she has been happy to help provide them.

“People are putting in the work for their communities, and they need help from the state,” Salisbury said.

She said that she introduced a bill to provide more grant funding to help struggling municipalities.

“Trash collection, code enforcement, policing — we have a need to all work together.”

Beyond assisting local municipalities, Salisbury said there needs to be more action taken to address gun violence.

She said the most important aspect of the race is maintaining Democratic control of the state House and flipping the state Senate to the Democrats.

She believes re-electing a self-described steady and pragmatic Democrat like herself is key to that effort.

Salisbury said that if Democrats don’t gain full control of the Pennsylvania Legislature, the party’s priorities — like increasing the minimum wage — won’t matter.

“There is legislation now to increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour, and we can’t even get that through the state Senate,” she said. “I know people who have been pushing for $18 and $20, but we have to at least get it increased first.”

Salisbury dismissed Comans’ support from progressives as merely the result of longstanding friendships with Gainey and Lee.

She said she has received more mayoral endorsements in the district than Comans. She also touted endorsements from Democratic House Speaker Joanna McClinton, the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers, and the Allegheny County Democratic Committee.

“This is about doing the work and doing that job, and I believe that is what I do,” Salisbury said.