Abigail Salisbury
Abigail Salisbury | |
---|---|
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 34th district | |
Assumed office February 21, 2023[1] | |
Preceded by | Summer Lee |
Personal details | |
Born | Ohio, U.S. |
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse | Andrew Horowitz[2] |
Residence(s) | Swissvale, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
Education | Case Western Reserve University (B.A.) University of Pittsburgh (J.D., M.P.P.M.) |
Abigail Salisbury is an American politician who represents the 34th district in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. She is a member of the Democratic Party.
Early life and education
[edit]Salisbury was born in Ohio,[3] but moved to Pennsylvania in grade school.[4] She graduated from Fairview High School in 2000. Salisbury attained a bachelor of arts degree from Case Western Reserve University in 2004 and a juris doctor and a M.P.P.M. from the University of Pittsburgh in 2007 and 2013, respectively.[3]
Career
[edit]An attorney, Salisbury ran a low cost law firm representing nonprofits and small businesses.[4] She was also a First Amendment law professor at the University of Pittsburgh and the executive director of the university's legal news and research service.[5][6] Salisbury previously taught international human rights law in Kosovo and Ethiopia.[5]
From 2018 to 2022, Salisbury served on the borough council of Swissvale, Pennsylvania. She served as council president during her final two years.[3]
In 2022, Salisbury challenged incumbent State Representative Summer Lee in the Democratic primary election. Despite being endorsed by the local Democratic committee, Salisbury was defeated by the incumbent.[6] After Lee was elected to the United States House of Representatives that same year, Salisbury ran in the 2023 special election to fill Lee's vacancy.[4] She defeated Republican Party candidate Robert Pagane. In conjunction with two other simultaneous special elections, Salisbury's victory affirmed Democrats' one-seat majority in the State House following the 2022 election.[7] In 2024, Salisbury faced a primary challenge from Ashley Comans, a progressive ally of Lee.[8][9] Despite Comans outraising Salisbury and earning the endorsements of Lee, Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey, and Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato,[10] Salisbury defeated Comans 65%-35%. She faces no opposition in the general election.[11]
Political positions
[edit]Salisbury supports legalizing marijuana and psilocybin. She identifies as pro-choice.[12] Salisbury opposes fracking and wants stricter standards for charter schools.[13]
Personal life
[edit]Salisbury is Jewish. Both her and her husband are involved in their congregation.[4] She identifies as bisexual and is on the autism spectrum.[13][14]
Electoral history
[edit]Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Abigail Salisbury | 10,282 | 87.60 | |
Republican | Robert Pagane | 1,416 | 12.06 | |
Write-in | 39 | 0.33 | ||
Total votes | 11,737 | 100.00 | ||
Democratic hold |
References
[edit]- ^ Murphy, Jan (February 21, 2023). "Pa. House, now at full complement, focuses on legal relief for childhood sexual abuse survivors". PennLIVE Patriot-News. Advance Local Media LLC. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
- ^ "Representative Abigail Salisbury". Pennsylvania General Assembly. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
- ^ a b c "Abigail Salisbury". Pennsylvania House of Representatives Archives. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
- ^ a b c d Rullo, David (December 23, 2022). "Jewish candidate runs for Summer Lee's vacant PA House seat". Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
- ^ a b Routh, Julian (December 16, 2021). "Swissvale attorney, borough council president Abigail Salisbury eyes run for Pa. House 34th District". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
- ^ a b Ulrich, Steve (December 19, 2022). "Salisbury, Gergely Tabbed By Allegheny Dems". PoliticsPA. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
- ^ Vigdor, Neil (February 7, 2023). "Sweep in 3 Special Elections Gives Democrats Control of Pennsylvania House". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
- ^ "Rep. Abigail Salisbury challenged by progressive wing of Democratic Party in 34th House District". CBS News Pittsburgh. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
- ^ Cole, John (November 17, 2023). "Election 2024 Government & Politics Comans to mount primary challenge to Pa. Rep. Salisbury". Pennsylvania Capital-Star. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
- ^ Potter, Chris (April 17, 2024). "Fueled by deep-pocketed progressives, Comans outraises incumbent Salisbury in HD-34". 90.5 WESA. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
- ^ Wereschagin, Mike; Lauer, Hallie (April 23, 2024). "State Rep. Abigail Salisbury, challenged by progressive Democrat, wins primary". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
- ^ Zenkevich, Julia (March 25, 2024). "Voter guide to Pennsylvania State House 34th District Democratic primary: Comans v. Salisbury". 90.5 WESA. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
- ^ a b Morrison, Oliver (February 1, 2023). "Former cop Pagane faces attorney Salisbury in 34th District special election to replace Summer Lee". 90.5 WESA. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
- ^ Potter, Chris (March 20, 2024). "Gainey, Innamorato endorsement in House contest raises eyebrows along with challenger's hopes". 90.5 WESA. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
- ^ "2023 Special Election Results - 34th Legislative District". Allegheny County Elections Division. February 7, 2023. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
External links
[edit]- Abigail Salisbury at Ballotpedia
- Abigail Salisbury, Pennsylvania House of Representatives (official website)
- 21st-century American legislators
- 21st-century American women politicians
- Women state legislators in Pennsylvania
- Democratic Party members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
- Living people
- People from Swissvale, Pennsylvania
- 21st-century Pennsylvania politicians
- Jewish American state legislators in Pennsylvania
- Jews from Pennsylvania
- Jewish American people in Pennsylvania politics
- 21st-century American Jews
- Case Western Reserve University alumni
- University of Pittsburgh alumni
- University of Pittsburgh faculty