Dan Goughnour (D), Charles Davis (R), and Adam Kitta (L) are running in the special election for District 35 of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives on March 25, 2025.

Incumbent Rep. Matthew Gergely (D) died on January 19. Gergely’s death left the state House tied 101-101. Before his death, Democrats controlled the House 102-101.

Goughnour is a police officer from McKeesport. He is a member of the McKeesport Area School District school board. Goughnor says he wants to continue Gergely’s work: “Matt Gergely was a close friend of mine, and we worked closely to make McKeesport a great city…I plan to continue his tradition of commitment throughout the Mon Valley.” Goughnor also supports increasing funding for emergency services, and his website says he would “Strengthen public safety by providing funding for firefighters, police, and first responders.”

Davis is a volunteer firefighter from White Oak. He is a member of the White Oak Borough Council. In a Facebook post, Davis said he wanted to bring change to the district: “For over 50 years, Democrats have controlled HD-35, yet county data still shows that many areas in our district lack the resources, services, and support they desperately need. It’s time for new ideas.” Davis is also campaigning to lower taxes, and his website says, “Families and seniors are struggling with high costs…Chuck Davis will fight to lower taxes for everyone.”

This district has voted for Democratic candidates in recent elections. Gergely ran unopposed in 2024, while Kamala Harris (D) won the district with 54% of the vote on the same ballot. Gergely was first elected in a 2023 special election to fill the vacancy left by Pennsylvania’s Lt. Governor Austin Davis (D). He won 75% to 25%.

Observers and party officials view the race in a national context. Democratic National Committee chair Ken Martin (D) campaigned in the district and highlighted the race as important to the national party: “The way we win back working people is making sure that we’re competing and contesting every single race up and down the ballot.” Some observers have pointed to recent Republican gains in the district’s surrounding areas as potentially improving the party’s chances of victory. Delaware Valley Journal’s Linda Stein wrote, “Though it’s a traditionally Democratic outpost, it’s a part of Pennsylvania where Trump’s vision of the Republican Party has proven popular.”

Kitta answered Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey. To read his responses, click here.

Pennsylvania has a divided government. Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) is a Democrat, while Republicans control the state Senate. Democrats still control the state House after Gergely’s death left it tied. To read more about state government trifectas, click here.