Who's In the Race
Democratic incumbent Summer Lee and Republican challenger James Hayes are facing off in Pennsylvania's 12th U.S. House District.
Lee, the Democratic incumbent running for re-election in Pennsylvania's 12th Congressional District, previously served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. She earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from Pennsylvania State University in 2009 and a law degree from Howard University School of Law in 2015, according to the Pennsylvania House Archives.
Hayes is a businessman and economist whose campaign biography says he worked at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. He holds a bachelor's degree from Georgetown University, an MBA in finance and accounting from the University of Chicago, and a doctorate in business administration from Case Western Reserve University, according to his campaign biography.
What They Stand For
Lee says she supports expanding Medicare to provide comprehensive health benefits to everyone in the United States without copays, premiums, or deductibles, according to her campaign issues page. She says federal policy should protect abortion rights and guarantee access to reproductive health care.
Hayes describes himself as a "principled, commonsense conservative" who would bring "real and reasonable solutions" to the district, according to his campaign website. Hayes's campaign website lists education options, energy independence, fiscal responsibility, public safety, and economic revival as elements of his policy vision.
The Money Behind the Race
Outside groups have spent $35,207 in the race as of Oct. 5, all of it supporting Democratic candidates and none opposing any candidate.
Solidarity Victory PAC has spent $12,116 across six records. Forgie Victory Fund spent $4,995, Straight Ahead Organization spent $3,500, and Rural Freedom Network spent $592.
Race Outlook: Ratings and Betting Markets
Cook Political Report, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and Inside Elections all rate the race "Solid Democratic," as of Sept. 25, Sept. 29, and Oct. 2, respectively.
Kalshi's prediction market gives Lee a 95.48 percent chance of winning and Hayes a 4.52 percent chance, as of Oct. 5.
Lee won the district with 56.2 percent in 2022 and 56.4 percent in 2024. A query of election records returned 9 Democratic and 6 Republican race winners for 2022 and 11 Republican and 6 Democratic winners for 2024, but the results do not show their year, office, or statewide scope, so they are not confirmed as complete totals. Republican Donald J. Trump carried Pennsylvania in the 2024 presidential election with 50.4 percent of the vote.
Voters in Pennsylvania's 12th District should confirm their registration deadline, early-voting options, and Election Day polling hours directly with the Pennsylvania Department of State, as those details for the Nov. 3 general election had not been verified as of Oct. 5, which does not establish that official information had not been published. Early voting and in-person mail-ballot site schedules are set by county election offices and may vary by county, so voters should also check with their county election office once details are available.
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