ASHLEY COMANS, second from right, is vying for the Pa. House District 34 seat. She is seeking the Democratic nomination in the April 23 Primary Election. She’s pictured with Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey, Allegheny County Chief Executive Sara Innamorato and Congresswoman Summer Lee. (Photo by Ben Filio)
Comans vying for House District 34 seat as Primary Election nears
by Maia Williams
For New Pittsburgh Courier
Pennsylvania House District 34 Democratic candidate Ashley Comans is embarking on an ambitious door-to-door canvassing campaign across Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas, working to secure votes as the April 23 Primary Election approaches.
Comans told the New Pittsburgh Courier her main priority is to show residents that she has an unwavering commitment to serving and representing the community.
“We’ve knocked on over 14,000 doors so far and we are on track to hit 20,000 by election day,” Comans said.
She is running against current House District 34 state Representative Abigail Salisbury, who was selected by the Allegheny County Democratic Committee to be the Democratic nominee in the February 2023 special election. Today, Comans is running to give people the opportunity to choose their 34th House District state representative, which was led by a Black woman, Summer Lee, prior to Salisbury. Lee is now in the U.S. Congress, representing Pa.’s 12th District.
On March 19, Comans was collectively endorsed by progressive leaders Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey, Congresswoman Lee, and Allegheny County Chief Executive Sara Innamorato.
“As a Wilkinsburg School Board member, Ashley Comans lowered property taxes and expanded enrollment and programming. Our families, communities, and futures depend on our children’s education. But right now, too many Black, brown, and low-income neighborhoods are denied resources and the safe environment and educational opportunities kids need to thrive,” Mayor Gainey said in a statement announcing the endorsement. “We need Ashley in Harrisburg to work with the city, school districts, teachers’ unions, and parents to rewrite the rules so every neighborhood public school is a place where all children can learn, grow, and thrive.”
“When Ashley Comans won her race for school board in 2017, she asked her friends to get to work with her. I was one of those friends,” Congresswoman Lee said in a statement. “Ashley’s energy and commitment to changing this region set the groundwork for me to become the first Black woman from Western Pa. to represent this region in Harrisburg and now in Washington, D.C. People like Ashley inspire all of us and remind us of what is possible when working families come together to elect transformational leaders. I’m proud to endorse her candidacy for my former seat. The district would be lucky to have her.”
“Earning their endorsement is further confirmation of the coalition that we have been building over the past several years, and having people who are in leadership that are aligned with the vision that we have for fighting for and advocating for the communities that we represent,” Comans told the Courier. “We have been building and empowering our communities to realize the power in their vote, and the power in having representatives that are reflective of the communities that we represent. I don’t take their support lightly.”
Comans believes this is just the beginning and looks forward to building the Black representation of leadership in Pittsburgh.
ASHLEY COMANS with husband, Wilkinsburg mayor Dontae Comans. (PHOTO BY J.L. MARTELLO
Throughout Comans’ campaign, she has achieved several milestones including receiving labor union endorsements such as ATU Local 85 and the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 57. She has also had several campaign volunteers willing to share her message to the community.
“We have been able to raise over $150,000 to really power this campaign and making sure that we are reaching as many voters as we possibly can,” Comans told the Courier.
District 34 residents across areas like Wilkinsburg, Rankin, Swissvale, Braddock, Braddock Hills, North Braddock and East Pittsburgh have experienced various systemic challenges such as pollution, lack of public school funding, and poverty. As a Wilkinsburg native who empathizes with these issues, Comans said she’s determined to prioritize addressing them in Harrisburg if elected.
“These are folks that I have been in community with all my life and can share the needs of why this is so important,” Comans said.
Comans believes that the voices and stories of community members should spearhead advocacy efforts for policy changes at the state level, drawing on her experience as a Wilkinsburg School Board Director to advocate for equitable education funding.
Comans has also drawn inspiration from the youth, whose passion and energy fuel her commitment to implementing positive change. “When they see someone that inspires them or encourages them to recognize what we are capable of being and doing, the motivation that gives me is just unmatched,” Comans said.
As a mother herself, Comans takes pride in instilling a sense of empowerment in her 4-year-old daughter to express herself and advocate for her beliefs. “As much as she’s only 4 years old, she gets it. She understands that we are fighting for a better future for her,” Comans said.
As a passionate community advocate who grew up in Pa. House District 34, Comans said she’s a voice for those who are often overlooked. She wants to fight for fairly funded public schools, paid family and medical leave, and increase the commonwealth’s minimum wage rate, amongst others. She recognizes that real change only occurs through action, and she said she’s committed to leading by example to build a stronger, more equitable House District 34.