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Gaydos Narrowly Defeats Knoll For PA's 44th House District Seat

Kathleen J. Davis
/
90.5 WESA
Democrat Michelle Knoll (left) and Republican Valerie Gaydos.

A seat in the northwest Pittsburgh suburbs long held by a Republican will stay in GOP hands after Valerie Gaydos won Tuesday’s race for Pennsylvania’s 44th House district.

The Aleppo Township resident narrowly defeated Democrat Michele Knoll.

Republican Rep. Mark Mustio has held the seat the past 15 years. Earlier this year, he decided to retire.

Gaydos said during the campaign that Pennsylvania lacks tax incentives for startup businesses, and she wants to establish them here. She also advocated for reducing the size of the Legislature, and for creating term limits for lawmakers.

Knoll, of Ohio Township, works with infants and toddlers with developmental disabilities. She is a former teacher with Pittsburgh Public schools and used to be Avonworth School Board member.