Summer Lee, freshman congresswoman from Western Pennsylvania, is facing her first House reelection bid with Republican megadonor Jeffrey Yass funding a super PAC attacking her and supporting her primary challenger, Edgewood Councilmember Bhavini Patel. Lee, who is known for her honesty and consistency on major issues, is the favorite in the Democratic primary with support from left-wing groups, Pennsylvania senators, and local allies. She has also cultivated a working relationship with the White House, with President Joe Biden acknowledging her during a recent campaign stop in Pittsburgh.
Despite the support for Lee, notable groups like American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and Democratic Majority for Israel, who spent heavily against Lee in the past, have been absent from the current race due to concerns about Patel’s low profile and Lee’s strong polling. Lee’s views on Israel’s war in Gaza have been a point of contention, with some moderates criticizing her position on the issue. However, observers note that Lee has made some concessions to the pro-Israel community, leading to a decision by these groups to stay out of the race.
Patel’s campaign, supported by GOP billionaire Jeffrey Yass, has raised a substantial amount of money despite her lack of name recognition. The race has garnered attention for Yass’s involvement with Moderate PAC, which opposes Lee. While Patel denounces Yass and Trump, Lee and her supporters view the outside spending in the race as a destabilizing factor that can influence candidates’ decisions. The final days of the race are focused on Lee’s accomplishments in bringing federal funds to the district and the support she can provide to Biden in the upcoming election.
Progressive leaders and allies of Lee argue that her performance in Congress and ability to deliver funding to the district showcase her effectiveness as a representative. They believe that Lee’s supporters will be crucial for Biden to win Western Pennsylvania in the general election. Patel, on the other hand, criticizes Lee for undermining Biden’s efforts in Congress and supporting an “uncommitted” movement critical of the administration’s handling of Israel’s war in Gaza. Moderate PAC has echoed these criticisms in a recent television ad, highlighting Lee’s past criticisms of Biden.
Lee remains confident in the face of these attacks, stating that they come from a vocal minority and that she represents a strong majority. The race for the Democratic nomination in Pennsylvania’s 12th District has drawn attention for its funding sources, candidate dynamics, and implications for broader political trends in the region. Despite the absence of some influential groups, the race between Summer Lee and Bhavini Patel is poised to be a significant contest with potential implications for the upcoming elections in Western Pennsylvania.
