Abigail Salisbury

Abigail Salisbury
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
from the 34th district
Assumed office
February 21, 2023[1]
Preceded bySummer Lee
Personal details
BornOhio, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseAndrew Horowitz[2]
Residence(s)Swissvale, Pennsylvania, U.S.
EducationCase 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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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2023 Pennsylvania's 34th House of Representatives district special election[15]
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

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  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ "Representative Abigail Salisbury". Pennsylvania General Assembly. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c "Abigail Salisbury". Pennsylvania House of Representatives Archives. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ a b Ulrich, Steve (December 19, 2022). "Salisbury, Gergely Tabbed By Allegheny Dems". PoliticsPA. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ "Rep. Abigail Salisbury challenged by progressive wing of Democratic Party in 34th House District". CBS News Pittsburgh. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ Potter, Chris (April 17, 2024). "Fueled by deep-pocketed progressives, Comans outraises incumbent Salisbury in HD-34". 90.5 WESA. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  11. ^ Wereschagin, Mike; Lauer, Hallie (April 23, 2024). "State Rep. Abigail Salisbury, challenged by progressive Democrat, wins primary". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ 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.
  14. ^ 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.
  15. ^ "2023 Special Election Results - 34th Legislative District". Allegheny County Elections Division. February 7, 2023. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
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