Democrat Erin Molchany has announced she will run against the incumbent, Dan Deasy, for Pennsylvania's newly-drawn 27th state House district.
Molchany said she hopes to take advantage of the reapportioned district.
"It's a virtually new district and I really feel strongly that we as citizens in this area deserve better representation, deserve attention paid to our issues, and deserve resources coming into our community to improve the quality of life," Molchany said.
The Mount Washington resident is a board member and Vice President for the Mount Washington Community Development Corporation. She is also director for the Pittsburgh Urban Magnet Project, a non-profit that provides opportunities for local young professionals. Molchany said her professional experience can translate into public office success.
"I've been really fortunate to be a part of the non-profit sector for more than a decade now and I feel that I have a great understanding of how leadership can really move a community into a positive direction," Molchany said. "About how collaboration works, how government and a sector can really partner with each other to make things better for everyone."
Molchany wants to put focus on some of the assets of her own community, and make a push for state-level funding for public transportation, which the Port Authority has claimed is necessary to prevent a continued series of cuts. She will also focus on improving access to a good education to provide an equal opportunity for all students to succeed.
The 27th district includes Kennedy Township, McKees Rocks, Stowe, part of Robinson Township, the neighborhoods of Banksville, Chartiers City, Crafton Heights, Duquesne Heights, East Carnegie, Elliott, Esplen, Fairywood, Oakwood, Ridgemont, Sheraden, West End, Westwood and Windgap, and parts of Mt. Washington and Beechview in the city of Pittsburgh.
