Pennsylvania's 12th Congressional District election, 2026

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Pennsylvania's 12th Congressional District
General election
Election details
Filing deadline: Pending
Primary: Pending General: November 3, 2026
How to vote
Poll times: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voting in Pennsylvania
Race ratings
Cook Political Report: Solid Democratic DDHQ and The Hill: Pending Inside Elections: Solid Democratic Sabato's Crystal Ball: Safe Democratic
Ballotpedia analysis
U.S. Senate battlegrounds U.S. House battlegrounds Federal and state primary competitiveness Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2026
See also
Pennsylvania's 12th Congressional District 1st • 2nd • 3rd • 4th • 5th • 6th • 7th • 8th • 9th • 10th • 11th • 12th • 13th • 14th • 15th • 16th • 17th Pennsylvania elections, 2026 U.S. Congress elections, 2026 U.S. Senate elections, 2026 U.S. House elections, 2026 Alabama U.S. House racesAlaska U.S. House raceArizona U.S. House racesArkansas U.S. House racesCalifornia U.S. House racesColorado U.S. House racesConnecticut U.S. House racesDelaware U.S. House raceFlorida U.S. House racesGeorgia U.S. House racesHawaii U.S. House racesIdaho U.S. House racesIllinois U.S. House racesIndiana U.S. House racesIowa U.S. House racesKansas U.S. House racesKentucky U.S. House racesLouisiana U.S. House racesMaine U.S. House racesMaryland U.S. House racesMassachusetts U.S. House racesMichigan U.S. House racesMinnesota U.S. House racesMississippi U.S. House racesMissouri U.S. House racesMontana U.S. House racesNebraska U.S. House racesNevada U.S. House racesNew Hampshire U.S. House racesNew Jersey U.S. House racesNew Mexico U.S. House racesNew York U.S. House racesNorth Carolina U.S. House racesNorth Dakota U.S. House raceOhio U.S. House racesOklahoma U.S. House racesOregon U.S. House racesPennsylvania U.S. House racesRhode Island U.S. House racesSouth Carolina U.S. House racesSouth Dakota U.S. House raceTennessee U.S. House racesTexas U.S. House racesUtah U.S. House racesVermont U.S. House raceVirginia U.S. House racesWashington U.S. House racesWest Virginia U.S. House racesWisconsin U.S. House racesWyoming U.S. House raceSubmit

All U.S. House districts, including the 12th Congressional District of Pennsylvania, are holding elections in 2026. The general election is November 3, 2026. To learn more about other elections on the ballot, click here.

Candidates and election results

Note: The following list includes official candidates only. Ballotpedia defines official candidates as people who:

• Register with a federal or state campaign finance agency before the candidate filing deadline
• Appear on candidate lists released by government election agencies

Note: At this time, Ballotpedia is combining all declared candidates for this election into one list under a general election heading. As primary election dates are published, this information will be updated to separate general election candidates from primary candidates as appropriate.

General election

The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.

General election for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 12

Adam Forgie, Benson Fechter, James Hayes, and Arnold Santos are running in the general election for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 12 on November 3, 2026.

		Candidate
		Adam Forgie (D)
		Benson Fechter (R)
		James Hayes (R)
	Submit photo	Arnold Santos (R)

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	There are no incumbents in this race.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Candidate profiles

This section includes candidate profiles that may be created in one of two ways: either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, or Ballotpedia staff may compile a profile based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements after identifying the candidate as noteworthy. For more on how we select candidates to include, click here.

Adam Forgie

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography:  "Three term mayor of Turtle Creek, Pa, 24 year public school US History teacher, Veteran of the Army Reserves, Volunteer Firefighter, Father of two, and former six year teacher union president. Dedicated 30 year public servant who wants to bring that passion to serving Pennsylvania's 12th Congressional District. His extensive experience as a mayor, public school teacher, U.S. Army Reservist, volunteer firefighter, and teacher's union president reflects his deep commitment to the community and its people."

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Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

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What is most concerning is the massive fissure that exists in the Democratic party right here in Western Pennsylvania’s 12th Congressional district. Our current representative has become a firebrand and divisive legislator who represents only the extreme far-left socialist agenda. As a lifelong left-of-center, moderate Democrat, I am tired of being labeled a liberal, or socialist because of the current progressive movement. Their damaging agenda has stolen our party and chased many voters to the Republican party. We need to bring those votes back to the party and fill the 12th-district seat with a representative who will represent everyone, both Democrats and Republicans.

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Due to my 29 years of public service, I believe I am highly qualified to serve you all as your congressman and voice in D.C. My service as a three-term mayor of Turtle Creek Borough, volunteer firefighter, 24 year public school teacher, soldier in the US Army Reserves post 9-11, a six-year teacher’s union president, lifelong resident of western Pennsylvania are all testament of my devotion to the public. It is evidence of my patriotism, character, integrity, devotion, and tolerance. I am campaigning for my family, my friends, my neighbors, my students, my hometown, my party, my Republican friends, the black n gold, and my country. This effort is, “For all of US!”

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Ensure that federal funding is brought to the Mon Valley, Allegheny County, and parts of Westmoreland County that would improve public transit, job creation, and manufacturing.

Benson Fechter

Party: Republican Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography:  "I'm Benson Fechter - husband to Bella, new dad to our baby girl Kirstina, a lifelong Western Pennsylvanian, and a small-business builder who believes faith, family, and freedom are the backbone of our country. I started my first painting company in 2020 and went on to found Legacy Paint Holdings, which now supports jobs across several local brands. I've signed paychecks, wrestled with regulations, and learned that Washington rarely understands how hard it is to make payroll and keep a business alive. I'm running for Congress because the American Dream should still be possible for young families like mine - and too often it isn't. Groceries, housing, and energy keep getting more expensive. Crime and chaos are shrugged off while working people are told to accept less. I don't accept that. I want a government that lives within its means, a secure border, an economy that rewards work and ownership, and schools that partner with parents, not fight them. I'm pro-life, pro-police, and unapologetically pro-America. I'll bring a builder's mindset to Washington: set clear goals, measure results, fix what's broken, and stop what doesn't work. Pittsburgh is my home. I'm running to serve my neighbors with common sense and conviction - so our kids inherit a safer, stronger country than we did."

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Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

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Homeownership is the backbone of the American Dream. In Western PA, families are being priced out by inflation, high rates, red tape, and out-of-town investors. I'll fight to make it easier to buy a first home, keep it, and pass it on: stop Washington's inflation, restore stable and affordable mortgages, cut federal rules that drive up building costs, fast-track safe redevelopment of vacant lots, and back the skilled trades so we can build more starter homes. A teacher and a cop should be able to buy a home, raise a family, and retire with dignity - right here.

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Marriage and family are the heart of a healthy nation. As a husband and new dad, I'll champion policies that help families form, stay together, and thrive: lower the cost of living, expand the child tax credit for working families, make adoption faster and cheaper, protect parental rights in schools and healthcare, and strengthen skilled-trade paths to family-sustaining jobs. I'll defend the unborn, support mothers, and back faith-based and community groups that lift families up. Strong homes build strong neighborhoods - and a stronger America.

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Entrepreneurs are the engine of American prosperity. I started my first company with sweat equity and a shoestring budget - I know how red tape, taxes, and costly mandates choke growth. I'll fight to make it easier to start, hire, and build: lower the cost of doing business, cut needless regulations and fees, protect independent contractors, expand access to startup capital, and open federal contracting to local firms - not just well-connected. We'll champion the skilled trades, apprenticeships, and school-to-work paths so more people can own a business, not just work for one.

Voting information

See also: Voting in Pennsylvania

Ballotpedia will publish the dates and deadlines related to this election as they are made available.

Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

Click on a candidate's name to visit their Ballotpedia page.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Expand all | Collapse all

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Benson Fechter (R)

Homeownership is the backbone of the American Dream. In Western PA, families are being priced out by inflation, high rates, red tape, and out-of-town investors. I'll fight to make it easier to buy a first home, keep it, and pass it on: stop Washington's inflation, restore stable and affordable mortgages, cut federal rules that drive up building costs, fast-track safe redevelopment of vacant lots, and back the skilled trades so we can build more starter homes. A teacher and a cop should be able to buy a home, raise a family, and retire with dignity - right here.

Marriage and family are the heart of a healthy nation. As a husband and new dad, I'll champion policies that help families form, stay together, and thrive: lower the cost of living, expand the child tax credit for working families, make adoption faster and cheaper, protect parental rights in schools and healthcare, and strengthen skilled-trade paths to family-sustaining jobs. I'll defend the unborn, support mothers, and back faith-based and community groups that lift families up. Strong homes build strong neighborhoods - and a stronger America.

Entrepreneurs are the engine of American prosperity. I started my first company with sweat equity and a shoestring budget - I know how red tape, taxes, and costly mandates choke growth. I'll fight to make it easier to start, hire, and build: lower the cost of doing business, cut needless regulations and fees, protect independent contractors, expand access to startup capital, and open federal contracting to local firms - not just well-connected. We'll champion the skilled trades, apprenticeships, and school-to-work paths so more people can own a business, not just work for one.

Adam Forgie (D)

What is most concerning is the massive fissure that exists in the Democratic party right here in Western Pennsylvania’s 12th Congressional district. Our current representative has become a firebrand and divisive legislator who represents only the extreme far-left socialist agenda. As a lifelong left-of-center, moderate Democrat, I am tired of being labeled a liberal, or socialist because of the current progressive movement. Their damaging agenda has stolen our party and chased many voters to the Republican party. We need to bring those votes back to the party and fill the 12th-district seat with a representative who will represent everyone, both Democrats and Republicans.

Due to my 29 years of public service, I believe I am highly qualified to serve you all as your congressman and voice in D.C. My service as a three-term mayor of Turtle Creek Borough, volunteer firefighter, 24 year public school teacher, soldier in the US Army Reserves post 9-11, a six-year teacher’s union president, lifelong resident of western Pennsylvania are all testament of my devotion to the public. It is evidence of my patriotism, character, integrity, devotion, and tolerance. I am campaigning for my family, my friends, my neighbors, my students, my hometown, my party, my Republican friends, the black n gold, and my country. This effort is, “For all of US!”

Ensure that federal funding is brought to the Mon Valley, Allegheny County, and parts of Westmoreland County that would improve public transit, job creation, and manufacturing.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Benson Fechter (R)

I'm passionate about rebuilding the American Dream for working families: lowering the cost of living; making homeownership attainable; defending life, marriage, and parental rights; restoring safety with strong policing and a secure border; unleashing small-business growth by cutting red tape and taxes; expanding skilled-trade and apprenticeship pathways; empowering transparent, high-standards schools; and honoring our veterans and first responders. My compass is simple: faith, family, freedom - and a government that lives within its means.

Adam Forgie (D)

Ensure that federal funding is brought to the Mon Valley, Allegheny County, and parts of Westmoreland County that would improve public transit, job creation, and manufacturing.

Strongly support our military with the necessary funding, technology/research, diplomacy, expansion of benefits, and overdue pay raises.

Raise funding to our city and local police departments while providing accountability and transparency legislation.

Support and improve upon our immigration laws and processes while continuing to deport illegal immigrant criminals, and explore the constitutionality of sanctuary cities.

Support and fund Israel’s and Ukraine’s right to defend their sovereignty and borders.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Benson Fechter (R)

I look up to my grandfather, George Fechter, who built businesses the old-fashioned way - through grit, integrity, and keeping his word. I admire Jack Kemp's optimistic, pro-growth vision that invited everyone into ownership; Henry Hyde's moral courage on protecting life with compassion; and the quiet heroism of local teachers, cops, nurses, and small-business owners who show up every day for their families and communities. That's the example I want to follow: faith first, tell the truth, serve others, and build things that last.

Adam Forgie (D)

President Lincoln: His political genius is unmatched and unwavering. His commitment to our nation was invaluable during our most divisive times. He endured major trauma is his personal life but stayed focused on the goal of restoring our union that would eventually take his life due to his leadership.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Benson Fechter (R)

Character matters more than charisma. An elected official should be anchored in integrity - telling the truth, keeping promises, and refusing special-interest strings. Servant leadership comes next: listen first, stay close to the people you represent, and admit when you're wrong. Courage and prudence must go together - willing to take tough votes, but disciplined with taxpayers' money. Fidelity to the Constitution, the rule of law, and equal justice is non-negotiable. Transparency, measurable results, and a bias for local solutions over federal micromanagement round it out. In short: character, competence, and accountability.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Benson Fechter (R)

At its core, the job is to faithfully represent the people - rooted in the Constitution, not party bosses. That means writing and voting on laws that lower costs, strengthen safety, and expand opportunity; exercising real oversight of federal agencies; and guarding taxpayers' money in the budget and appropriations process. It also means relentless constituent service - and staying present in the district to listen, report back, and adjust. Results, transparency, and accountability to the voters are non-negotiable.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Benson Fechter (R)

I want to leave a legacy of families who are freer, safer, and more prosperous because we chose responsibility over excuses. If I do my job, more young couples will own homes, more small businesses will grow into employers, more kids will learn the truth and become skilled, and fewer parents will lose a child to fentanyl or despair. I want my daughter to inherit a nation that keeps its word, lives within its means, protects life, honors faith, and believes the American Dream still belongs to anyone willing to work for it. That's the legacy worth fighting for.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Benson Fechter (R)

I was born in 2001, just before 9/11, so my first clear national memory is the 2008 financial crisis and that election year's wall-to-wall news. I was 7, listening to my parents talk about jobs, mortgages, and gas prices at the kitchen table. It stuck with me how Washington's decisions ripple into real families' lives - and it shaped why I care so much about the cost of living, work, and ownership today.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Benson Fechter (R)

My first job was mowing lawns and shoveling snow for neighbors - basic, honest work that taught me to show up on time and do the job right. I kept those gigs through middle and high school, then turned that hustle into my first painting company in 2020. Those early lessons still guide me today.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Benson Fechter (R)

"Mere Christianity" by CS Lewis. It's clear, humble, and rooted in reason - challenging without being preachy. It helped shape how I think about right and wrong, forgiveness, and duty to others. In public life, that moral anchor matters: tell the truth, respect every person's dignity, and act with courage and charity even when it's hard.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Benson Fechter (R)

Samwise Gamgee from The Lord of the Rings. He isn't the loudest or the most powerful - he's the loyal friend who carries the load, keeps hope alive, and finishes the mission when others are spent. That's the kind of servant leadership I admire: quiet courage, faithfulness, and getting your neighbor up the mountain.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Benson Fechter (R)

Balancing big ambition with being the husband and dad I'm called to be has been a real struggle. I started companies young and tried to outrun every problem with more hours. That works - until it steals hours your family needs. I've also carried grief; my mom passed when I was young, and some days it still sneaks up on me. As a small-business owner, there were months when payroll felt like a mountain and I had to swallow pride, ask for help, and make hard calls. Those seasons taught me discipline, prayer, and better boundaries: put faith and family first, build strong teams, say no to distractions, and measure results. I'm not perfect, but I'm accountable - and I'll bring that same honesty and perseverance to serving this district.

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

Benson Fechter (R)

The House is the people's chamber - closest to the voters, elected every two years from equal-population districts, so it responds fast and often. It holds the "power of the purse,"' originates tax and spending bills, and can impeach federal officials. Its size and committee system let subject-matter experts dig deep and conduct aggressive oversight of agencies. Debate is governed by majority-set rules, so coalitions can actually move ideas to votes. In short, the House is designed for urgency, accountability, and fiscal control - reflecting the country as it is, in real time.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

Benson Fechter (R)

Experience can help - but it's not the only kind that matters. I value people who know how a budget works, how to build a team, and how to deliver results under pressure. My background is in starting and growing businesses, signing paychecks, and solving problems without excuses. In Congress, I'll pair that real-world perspective with a strong, experienced staff and committee partners. What matters most isn't a political resume; it's judgment, character, and the ability to get results for the people you serve.

What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

Benson Fechter (R)

America's biggest tests are stacked and intertwined: a crushing national debt and unsustainable interest costs; great-power competition with China (tech, trade, Taiwan) and rising global instability; a porous border fueling fentanyl and crime; de-industrialization and fragile supply chains; energy policy that drives prices up; and a collapse of trust - schools, media, and government - rooted in cultural and family breakdown. We need fiscal discipline, a secure border, energy abundance, US-made industry, world leading R&D and AI, school choice and skills training, and a moral renewal that rebuilds family and community.

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

Benson Fechter (R)

Yes. Two-year terms keep representatives close to voters and accountable. The downside is "permanent campaign" mode, but we can fix that without lengthening terms: enact term limits, ban stock trading and post-service lobbying, adopt biennial budgeting with a real appropriations calendar, and require single-subject bills with 72-hour public text. Keep the House the people's chamber - responsive, not careerist - while still doing serious work.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

Benson Fechter (R)

I support term limits. Public service shouldn't be a lifetime career - it should be a season of work and then a return to real life. I back a constitutional amendment capping House members at three terms (six years), and Senators at two terms (twelve years). Term limits would break the seniority game, curb lobbyist power, and bring fresh energy and accountability to Congress. I'll co-sponsor term-limits legislation and pair it with tougher ethics: a lifetime ban on lobbying the chamber you served in, strict stock-trading rules, and transparent committee assignments. If Washington refuses to act, I'll hold myself to the standard I'm asking others to meet.

Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Benson Fechter (R)

I don't chase a cult of personality, but I do have models. Jack Kemp for his optimistic, pro-growth focus on expanding ownership and opportunity. Henry Hyde for moral clarity on protecting life with compassion. And Pat Toomey for fiscal discipline and seriousness about free markets and debt (he started in the House before the Senate). I'd add the best of Western PA constituent service - relentless casework, constant town halls, and being present in the district. That blend - principled, hopeful, results-driven - is what I aim to bring.

Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

Benson Fechter (R)

At a meet-and-greet in Brentwood, a young couple handed me a folded Zillow printout. They've been married three years, both work full-time - a nurse and a lineman - and have saved every spare dollar. They've put in nine offers on starter homes and lost all nine to cash buyers - often LLCs that never turn on a porch light. "We just want a yard and a nursery," she said, tearing up. That moment crystallized why I'm running: tame inflation, build more attainable homes, crack down on predatory bulk purchases, and back skilled trades so supply meets demand. The American Dream shouldn't be a bidding war families can't win.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Benson Fechter (R)

Yes - when it serves the people and stays within clear principles. Compromise is how you turn ideas into laws in a divided country, but it can't mean surrendering core convictions: the Constitution, the sanctity of life, public safety, parental rights, or fiscal sanity. I'll negotiate on the "how" (timelines, pay-fors, pilots, bipartisan oversight) to deliver results that lower costs, strengthen families, and keep America safe. I won't trade away first principles for photo-ops or lobbyist wins. Results with integrity - that's the standard.

The Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected?

Benson Fechter (R)

It's a core lever for the agenda I'm running on. If all revenue bills must start in the House, then we set the terms: pro-growth, pro-family, and honest with taxpayers. I'll use that power to advance a simpler, flatter tax code that rewards work and ownership; permanent full expensing for small businesses and the skilled trades; a child tax credit focused on working families; and the removal of hidden "junk fees" and stealth taxes that raise prices. Just as important, I'll pair tax policy with spending discipline - single-subject bills, 72-hour public text, no omnibus cram-downs, and tough oversight of every dollar. The goal is straightforward: lower the cost of living, make it easier to start and build a business, and put Washington back on a budget so families in Western PA can get ahead.

Adam Forgie (D)

Representatives have a responsibility to their constituents who have entrusted them to lead. They must also be willing to explore ideas and compromise that may be against their own personal belief. They must be held accountable when their own personal agenda supersedes the needs of the nation as a whole.

How should the U.S. House use its investigative powers?

Benson Fechter (R)

The House should use its investigative power to defend taxpayers, the rule of law, and the truth - not to chase headlines. That means following evidence wherever it leads, exposing waste, fraud, and abuse, and reining in agencies that exceed their authority or target citizens for their beliefs. It means rooting out corruption and conflicts of interest, protecting whistleblowers, and demanding real fixes, not just soundbites - clear timelines, public reports, and legislative remedies. Subpoenas and contempt should be used when stonewalled, not as props. Oversight done right lowers costs, restores trust, and ensures government serves the people, not itself.

Candidates hear many personal stories from voters. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching or memorable?

Benson Fechter (R)

At a coffee shop in Carrick, I met a Marine veteran - I'll call him "Dave." He'd been waiting 14 months for a VA appointment to get new hearing aids. In the meantime, he lost a warehouse job because he couldn't safely hear forklifts backing up. He wasn't angry; he was embarrassed to ask for help. We sat with his paperwork, called the caseworker hotline, and finally got him on a faster track. That conversation stuck with me. It's why I'm obsessed with constituent service and why I'll push for VA accountability, faster scheduling, and portability so veterans can use local providers when the VA can't deliver. No one who served should fall through the cracks.

What is an accomplishment that you are proud of?

Benson Fechter (R)

I'm proud of building a business from nothing into a group of locally run painting companies that support good-paying jobs and careers. I started in 2020 with a beat-up ladder and a borrowed van; today we've trained apprentices, promoted foremen into managers, and put dozens of paychecks into Western PA families' hands. We've paid our bills on time, fixed mistakes when we made them, and earned repeat customers the old-fashioned way. Creating jobs, not just talking about them - and doing it while being a present husband and new dad - is the accomplishment that means the most to me.

What role should the United States government have in the development or use of artificial intelligence?

Benson Fechter (R)

AI is strategic - economically and for national security. Government's role: set clear light-touch guardrails and invest in US strength, not micromanage innovation. I'd back: tough privacy and data-security rules; transparency and accountability for high-risk uses (health, finance, elections); bans on CCP-style social-credit scoring and viewpoint targeting; strong IP and anti-deepfake protections (especially for kids); transparent standards for government use; liability clarity for real harms; and major R&D, workforce, and domestic chip/manufacturing incentives. Keep America first in AI - free, secure, and pro-innovation.

What legislation would you enact related to election administration in the United States?

Benson Fechter (R)

Free and fair elections need both access and integrity. I'd back a national floor of commonsense standards while leaving states to run their systems: photo voter ID with free IDs for anyone who needs one; accurate voter rolls with routine list maintenance; paper ballots or auditable paper trails; uniform deadlines - no ballots accepted after Election Day except timely postmarked military/overseas; clear chain-of-custody and bipartisan observers; risk-limiting audits and fast public reporting of results; real penalties for intimidation or fraud; a ban on private funding of election offices; and secure, accessible options for seniors, people with disabilities, and our military.

You can ask candidates in this race to fill out the survey by clicking their names below:

• James Hayes

Campaign finance

Name	Party	Receipts*	Disbursements**	Cash on hand	Date
Adam Forgie	Democratic Party	$23,636	$10,761	$7,974	As of September 30, 2025
Benson Fechter	Republican Party	$0	$0	$0	Data not available***
James Hayes	Republican Party	$5,085	$606	$5,164	As of September 30, 2025
Arnold Santos	Republican Party	$0	$0	$0	Data not available***
Source: Federal Elections Commission, "Campaign finance data," 2026. This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC). * According to the FEC, "Receipts are anything of value (money, goods, services or property) received by a political committee." ** According to the FEC, a disbursement "is a purchase, payment, distribution, loan, advance, deposit or gift of money or anything of value to influence a federal election," plus other kinds of payments not made to influence a federal election. *** Candidate either did not report any receipts or disbursements to the FEC, or Ballotpedia did not find an FEC candidate ID.

General election race ratings

See also: Race rating definitions and methods

Ballotpedia provides race ratings from four outlets: The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and DDHQ/The Hill. Each race rating indicates if one party is perceived to have an advantage in the race and, if so, the degree of advantage:

• Safe and Solid ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge and the race is not competitive.
• Likely ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge, but an upset is possible.
• Lean ratings indicate that one party has a small edge, but the race is competitive.
• Toss-up ratings indicate that neither party has an advantage.

Race ratings are informed by a number of factors, including polling, candidate quality, and election result history in the race's district or state.

Race ratings: Pennsylvania's 12th Congressional District election, 2026
Race tracker	Race ratings
	12/23/2025	12/16/2025	12/9/2025	12/2/2025
The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter	Solid Democratic	Solid Democratic	Solid Democratic	Solid Democratic
Decision Desk HQ and The Hill	Pending	Pending	Pending	Pending
Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales	Solid Democratic	Solid Democratic	Solid Democratic	Solid Democratic
Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball	Safe Democratic	Safe Democratic	Safe Democratic	Safe Democratic
Note: Ballotpedia reviews external race ratings every week throughout the election season and posts weekly updates even if the media outlets have not revised their ratings during that week.

Ballot access

The table below details filing requirements for U.S. House candidates in Pennsylvania in the 2026 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Pennsylvania, click here.

Filing requirements for U.S. House candidates, 2026
State	Office	Party	Signatures required	Filing fee	Filing deadline	Source
Pennsylvania	U.S. House	Ballot-qualified party	1,000	$150.00	TBD	Source
Pennsylvania	U.S. House	Unaffiliated	2% of votes cast in the district in the last election	$150.00	TBD	Source

District history

The section below details election results for this office in elections dating back to 2020.

• 2024
• 2022
• 2020

General election

General election for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 12

Incumbent Summer Lee (D) defeated James Hayes (R) in the general election for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 12 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Summer Lee (D)	56.2	234,802
		James Hayes (R)	43.5	181,426
		Other/Write-in votes	0.3%	1,280

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source 1 Source 2	Total votes: 417,508
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary

Democratic primary for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 12

Incumbent Summer Lee (D) defeated Bhavini Patel (D) in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 12 on April 23, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Summer Lee	60.4	64,594
		Bhavini Patel	39.2	41,902
		Other/Write-in votes	0.4%	415

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source 1 Source 2	Total votes: 106,911
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Laurie MacDonald (D)

Republican primary

Republican primary for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 12

James Hayes (R) defeated Paul Bryant (R) in the Republican primary for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 12 on April 23, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		James Hayes	98.5	34,759
		Paul Bryant (Write-in)	0.0	0
		Other/Write-in votes	1.5%	543

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source 1 Source 2	Total votes: 35,302
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Paul Berginc Sr. (R)
• Laurie MacDonald (R)

General election

General election for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 12

Summer Lee (D) defeated Michael Doyle (R) in the general election for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 12 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Summer Lee (D)	56.2	184,674
		Michael Doyle (R)	43.8	143,946

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 328,620
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Stephanie Fox (D)
• Bhavini Patel (D)
• Jake Webster (D)
• Donald Nevills (R)

Democratic primary

Democratic primary for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 12

Summer Lee (D) defeated Steve Irwin (D), Jerry Dickinson (D), Jeff Woodard (D), and William Parker (D) in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 12 on May 17, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Summer Lee	41.9	48,002
		Steve Irwin	41.0	47,014
		Jerry Dickinson	10.9	12,440
		Jeff Woodard	4.8	5,454
		William Parker	1.5	1,670

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 114,580
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary

Republican primary for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 12

Michael Doyle (R) advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 12 on May 17, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Michael Doyle	100.0	39,531

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 39,531
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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General election

General election for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 12

Incumbent Fred Keller (R) defeated Lee Griffin (D) and Elizabeth Terwilliger (L) in the general election for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 12 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Fred Keller (R)	70.8	241,035
		Lee Griffin (D)	29.2	99,199
		Elizabeth Terwilliger (L) (Write-in)	0.0	0

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 340,234
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary

Democratic primary for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 12

Lee Griffin (D) advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 12 on June 2, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Lee Griffin	100.0	41,313

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 41,313
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary

Republican primary for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 12

Incumbent Fred Keller (R) advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 12 on June 2, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Fred Keller	100.0	87,886

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 87,886
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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District analysis

Click the tabs below to view information about voter composition, past elections, and demographics in both the district and the state.

• District map - A map of the district in place for the election.
• Competitiveness - Information about the competitiveness of 2026 U.S. House elections in the state.
• Presidential elections - Information about presidential elections in the district and the state.
• State party control - The partisan makeup of the state's congressional delegation and state government.

• District map
• Competitiveness
• Presidential elections
• State party control

Below is the district map in place for this election. Click the map below to enlarge it.

See also: Primary election competitiveness in state and federal government, 2026

Information about competitiveness will be added here as it becomes available.

Partisan Voter Index

See also: The Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index

Heading into the 2026 elections, based on results from the 2024 and 2020 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district is D+10. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 10 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made Pennsylvania's 12th the 131st most Democratic district nationally.

2020 presidential election results

The table below shows what the vote in the 2024 presidential election was in this district. The presidential election data was compiled by The Downballot.

2024 presidential results in Pennsylvania's 12th Congressional District

Kamala Harris	Donald Trump
59.0%	40.0%

Presidential voting history

See also: Presidential election in Pennsylvania, 2024

Pennsylvania presidential election results (1900-2024)

• 14 Democratic wins
• 17 Republican wins
• 1 other win

Year	1900	1904	1908	1912	1916	1920	1924	1928	1932	1936	1940	1944	1948	1952	1956	1960	1964	1968	1972	1976	1980	1984	1988	1992	1996	2000	2004	2008	2012	2016	2020	2024
Winning Party	R	R	R	P	R	R	R	R	R	D	D	D	R	R	R	D	D	D	R	D	R	R	R	D	D	D	D	D	D	R	D	R

See also: Party control of Pennsylvania state government

Congressional delegation

The table below displays the partisan composition of Pennsylvania's congressional delegation as of October 2025.

Congressional Partisan Breakdown from Pennsylvania
Party	U.S. Senate	U.S. House	Total
Democratic	1	7	8
Republican	1	10	11
Independent	0	0	0
Vacancies	0	0	0
Total	2	17	19

State executive

The table below displays the officeholders in Pennsylvania's top four state executive offices as of October 2025.

State executive officials in Pennsylvania, October 2025

Office	Officeholder
Governor	Josh Shapiro
Lieutenant Governor	Austin Davis
Secretary of State	Al Schmidt
Attorney General	Dave Sunday

State legislature

Pennsylvania State Senate

Party		As of October 2025
	Democratic Party	23
	Republican Party	27
	Other	0
	Vacancies	0
Total		50

Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Party		As of October 2025
	Democratic Party	102
	Republican Party	101
	Other	0
	Vacancies	0
Total		203

Trifecta control

Pennsylvania Party Control: 1992-2025
One year of a Democratic trifecta  •  Twelve years of Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

Year	92	93	94	95	96	97	98	99	00	01	02	03	04	05	06	07	08	09	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25
Governor	D	D	D	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	R	R	R	R	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D
Senate	R	D	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R
House	D	D	D	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	D	D	D	D	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	D	D	D

See also

Pennsylvania	2026 primaries	2026 U.S. Congress elections
Pennsylvania congressional delegation Voting in Pennsylvania Pennsylvania elections: 2026 • 2025 • 2024 • 2023 • 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018	Democratic primary battlegrounds Republican primary battlegrounds U.S. Senate Democratic primaries U.S. Senate Republican primaries U.S. House Democratic primaries U.S. House Republican primaries	U.S. Congress elections U.S. Senate elections U.S. House elections Special elections Ballot access

External links

• Search Google News for this topic

Footnotes

[show]

Pennsylvania's current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

John Fetterman (D)

David McCormick (R)

Representatives

District 1

Brian Fitzpatrick (R)

District 2

Brendan Boyle (D)

District 3

Dwight Evans (D)

District 4

Madeleine Dean (D)

District 5

Mary Scanlon (D)

District 6

Chrissy Houlahan (D)

District 7

Ryan Mackenzie (R)

District 8

Rob Bresnahan (R)

District 9

Dan Meuser (R)

District 10

Scott Perry (R)

District 11

Lloyd Smucker (R)

District 12

Summer Lee (D)

District 13

John Joyce (R)

District 14

Guy Reschenthaler (R)

District 15

Glenn Thompson (R)

District 16

Mike Kelly (R)

District 17

Chris Deluzio (D)

Republican Party (11)

Democratic Party (8)

2025-2026 Elections to the United States Congress

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Election information

Ballot access for major and minor party candidates • List of candidates running for election • List of congressional challengers • Retiring senators • Retiring representatives

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Super PACs/Organizations

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