Who's In the Race

A voter guide published Oct. 5 by 90.5 WESA highlighted sharp differences between the two candidates on immigration, with Guy aligned with the President Trump's enforcement agenda and Deluzio critical of mass deportations. Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-PA), the Democratic incumbent, faces Republican challenger Tony Guy in Pennsylvania's 17th U.S. House District. ​

Deluzio has represented the district since 2023; he is an Iraq War veteran, former U.S. Navy officer, and attorney whose work included voting rights and election security at the Brennan Center for Justice and Pitt Cyber.

Guy has served as Beaver County sheriff since 2016 and spent 26 years with the Pennsylvania State Police before that, working in patrol, criminal investigations, and the Special Emergency Response Team. Guy won the Republican primary on May 19, taking about 52 percent of the vote over Jesse James Vodvarka. The Democratic primary held May 19 lists one candidate, and no winner has been declared.

What They Stand For

Deluzio has said Congress should challenge "corruption and monopoly power" that drives up the cost of housing, healthcare, gas, and groceries, according to the 90.5 WESA voter guide. He backs changing immigration law so people who follow the rules can earn permanent status and citizenship while securing the borders, and he has called for an end to abuses under mass deportation policies, per the WESA voter guide. The WESA voter guide reports that, in Deluzio's view, the Iran War has been a failure, and that Congress should end it and bring U.S. troops home.

Congress should address AI risks, and local communities should be able to reject data-center construction that Deluzio considers harmful to water, air, utility costs, or labor, per the WESA voter guide. Among his priorities is the Railway Safety Act, which he says he will keep fighting for so communities do not bear the consequences of corporate decisions, the WESA voter guide notes.

Guy has supported an "America First Agenda," per his campaign website. His proposals include reducing Washington's regulatory burden, supporting Pennsylvania industries including manufacturing and natural gas, and pursuing trade policies that do not harm local businesses. Completing the border wall and enforcing immigration laws are goals he has called for, as is deporting "criminal illegals." The Beaver County sheriff says he will support officers, provide police with tools and training, and oppose efforts to defund police. Voter ID laws for all elections and Second Amendment rights also earn his support.

The Money Behind the Race

Federal Election Commission filings show Deluzio raised about $2.8 million through June 30 and had about $1.1 million in the bank. Guy raised about $118,000 through June 30 and had about $36,000 cash on hand; FEC filings also show he carried about $15,000 in debt.

Outside groups spent about $14,000 in the race as of Oct. 8, all of it supporting Deluzio. The largest outside spender was the Service Employees International Union Committee on Political Education, which put in about $12,000 in support of Deluzio.

Race Outlook: Ratings and Betting Markets

The Cook Political Report rated the race "Solid Democratic" as of Sept. 25; Sabato's Crystal Ball rated it "Solid Democratic" as of Sept. 29; and Inside Elections rated it "Solid Democratic" as of Oct. 2. As of the late afternoon on Oct. 8, the Kalshi market gave Democrats a 96 percent chance of winning Pennsylvania's 17th District, while Republicans had 4 percent.

Deluzio won the district in both 2022 and 2024, taking about 53 percent each time. Statewide, Democrats held a 9-to-8 edge in Pennsylvania's U.S. House delegation after 2022, but Republicans flipped the advantage to 10-to-7 after 2024. Donald Trump carried Pennsylvania in the 2024 presidential election with about 50 percent of the vote.

Pennsylvania's voter registration deadline for the general election is Monday, Oct. 19; online applications are accepted through 11:59 p.m. that day, while mailed and in-person applications must reach the county elections office by close of business. The deadline to apply for a mail ballot is Tuesday, Oct. 27, by 5 p.m. Polls on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

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