Who's running in Pennsylvania's 17th congressional district
2 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
2 candidates · ballot order · Chris Deluzio currently holds this seat
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Reindustrialising American manufacturing; he has proposed a Build America Fund Act.
Union rights and the right to organise, as a member of the Congressional Labor Caucus.
Health care as a necessity rather than a luxury.
Infrastructure investment, workforce development and childcare.
Election security and voting rights, drawing on his legal career.
Small business growth in western Pennsylvania.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
U.S. Representative for the 17th District since January 2023; seeking a third term.
U.S. Navy surface warfare officer from 2006 to 2012; served in Iraq.
Voting rights lawyer working on election security and civil rights before Congress.
Member of the Congressional Labor Caucus.
Unopposed for the Democratic nomination in the May 19, 2026 primary.
Has signalled he may run against Sen. John Fetterman in a 2028 Democratic primary.
Arguments in favor
The major industrial unions have endorsed his reindustrialisation legislation, and he sits on the Congressional Labor Caucus — support his campaign presents as the core of his case in a steel and manufacturing district.
— United Steelworkers, United Auto Workers, the Teamsters and the AFL-CIO, which endorsed his Build America Fund Act
The state Democratic party points to his record holding a district that has been trending Republican, which he first won by assembling a coalition across party lines.
— Jack Doyle, Pennsylvania Democratic Party spokesperson; Pennsylvania Capital-Star reporting on his first win
Arguments against
The Republican Committee of Allegheny County calls him a servant of Washington elites who neglects local energy workers and small businesses.
— John Schnaedter, executive director of the Republican Committee of Allegheny County
What we couldn’t verify
The Schnaedter quotation was found only in an automated news aggregator; it could not be corroborated in an established outlet, though the same characterisation appeared in more than one search result.
He has signalled he may run for the U.S. Senate in 2028; a voter re-electing him is choosing someone who may seek another office partway through the term. No opponent was found making that an argument.
A second published criticism of him, from a source other than the county Republican party, could not be found.
Backing police and first responders, drawing on his career in law enforcement.
Border security: funding the wall, deporting people convicted of crimes and stopping fentanyl trafficking.
Pro-growth economic policy for small business and what he calls energy dominance.
Distrust of federal law enforcement leadership; he has said Democrats weaponised agencies from the Justice Department to the FBI.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Elected sheriff of Beaver County.
Served 26 years with the Pennsylvania State Police from 1984, in patrol, criminal investigations and as a polygraph examiner.
Lifelong resident of Beaver County.
Won the May 19, 2026 Republican primary against Jesse James Vodvarka.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
No published criticism of Guy by name could be found. Searched: his name with 'criticism' and 'controversy', against Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee material, against Chris Deluzio's campaign, and against Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, CBS Pittsburgh, WESA and Beaver County Times coverage. Because no case against him exists on the record, no case for him is presented either.
His endorsements and fundraising were not established from sources read; forecasters treat the incumbent as a heavy favourite.
His positions on questions outside law enforcement, immigration and energy were not established from sources read.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
Pennsylvania held its primary on May 19, 2026. Democratic incumbent Chris Deluzio was unopposed for renomination; Beaver County Sheriff Tony Guy beat Jesse James Vodvarka for the Republican nomination. The district covers all of Beaver County and the northern, eastern and western parts of Allegheny County, outside Pittsburgh itself. Roster confirmed against Ballotpedia, CBS Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporting. Criticism of Guy by name could not be found, so his entry carries no arguments in either column.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A Pennsylvania ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.
Your ballot is determined by your election authority, not by us. Verify your registration, precinct, and sample ballot at Pennsylvania Department of State.