Who Is Running in Pennsylvania Congressional District 12th in 2026?
Last updated: March 2, 2026
Summer Lee
(Incumbent)Economy
HighSummer Lee advocates for policies that center workers and strengthen the labor movement, emphasizing the need for dignity, safety, and fair wages. She introduced the Empowering App-Based Workers Act and voted against a Republican continuing resolution to address rising healthcare costs. Lee also highlights securing over $2.7 billion in federal investments for Western Pennsylvania, including for infrastructure and clean energy, to create union jobs.
Immigration
HighSummer Lee voted against a Department of Homeland Security funding bill in January 2026, which included Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) funding, due to a lack of reforms. She co-introduced the Melt ICE Act, aiming to end DHS funding for immigrant detentions and reallocate funds to community services. Lee consistently advocates for the abolishment of ICE and supports a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, including Dreamers and TPS holders, emphasizing the necessity of a just and humane immigration system.
Healthcare
HighCongresswoman Summer Lee supports healthcare access, stating it is a fundamental human right and that Medicare For All would save money and lives. She voted against a Republican continuing resolution in November 2025, arguing it failed to address skyrocketing healthcare costs for Americans. In January 2026, she applauded the House passage of H.R. 1834 to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits, aimed at helping millions maintain health insurance.
Republican Candidate
No Republican candidate has been confirmed for this race yet. Check back after the primary.
| Issue | Summer Lee |
|---|---|
| Economy | Summer Lee advocates for policies that center workers and strengthen the labor movement, emphasizing the need for dignity, safety, and fair wages. She introduced the Empowering App-Based Workers Act and voted against a Republican continuing resolution to address rising healthcare costs. Lee also highlights securing over $2.7 billion in federal investments for Western Pennsylvania, including for infrastructure and clean energy, to create union jobs. High |
| Immigration | Summer Lee voted against a Department of Homeland Security funding bill in January 2026, which included Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) funding, due to a lack of reforms. She co-introduced the Melt ICE Act, aiming to end DHS funding for immigrant detentions and reallocate funds to community services. Lee consistently advocates for the abolishment of ICE and supports a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, including Dreamers and TPS holders, emphasizing the necessity of a just and humane immigration system. High |
| Healthcare | Congresswoman Summer Lee supports healthcare access, stating it is a fundamental human right and that Medicare For All would save money and lives. She voted against a Republican continuing resolution in November 2025, arguing it failed to address skyrocketing healthcare costs for Americans. In January 2026, she applauded the House passage of H.R. 1834 to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits, aimed at helping millions maintain health insurance. High |
| Climate & Energy | Representative Summer Lee advocates for environmental justice, believing all people deserve clean air and water. She has opposed fracking, citing a history of fighting proposals in the Mon Valley. In Congress, she denounced the EPA's repeal of the 2009 Endangerment Finding and voted against bills like the Homeowner Energy Freedom Act (HR 4758) and the Don't Mess With My Home Appliances Act (HR 4626). Lee cosponsored the Environmental Justice For All Act and is endorsed by the Sierra Club. High |
| Abortion & Reproductive Rights | Summer Lee strongly supports abortion rights and reproductive healthcare, advocating for federal protection and access. She backs legislation such as the Women’s Health Protection Act to codify abortion rights. Lee emphasizes addressing healthcare inequities, particularly for marginalized Black and brown communities and the LGBTQ+ community, to ensure safe, inclusive, and affordable care as a human right. High |
| Foreign Policy | Representative Summer Lee opposes what she describes as authoritarianism in government actions, including the use of force by Department of Homeland Security agents. She advocates for funding education over what she terms 'endless war and genocide in Palestine, Sudan, or anywhere else in the world.' Lee also states her commitment to human rights, dignity, and justice for all people, which has led her to oppose organizations like AIPAC because she believes they do not share this goal. High |
| Education | Summer Lee advocates for equitable access to first-rate, free public education, opposing funding mechanisms that disadvantage working-class communities and communities of color. She condemned the Trump administration's efforts to dismantle the Department of Education, asserting that students, families, and educators depend on its protections. She champions investments in public schools, support for teachers and staff, and protections for student civil rights. High |
| Gun Policy | Summer Lee supports an assault weapons ban and expanded background checks, advocating for the end of protections for corporate gun manufacturers. She also co-sponsored the Enhanced Background Check Act and the Office of Gun Violence Prevention Act. She states that addressing gun violence requires social investments in schools, after-school programs, and jobs, linking it to issues of poverty and underfunded communities. High |
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