Republican Rob Mercuri, a Pennsylvania state representative, is looking to unseat Democratic U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio in a pivotal congressional race that could be crucial in determining which party controls the U.S. House.
Fox Chapel’s Deluzio, a voting rights attorney and Iraq War veteran, defeated former Ross commissioner Jeremy Shaffer to win the congressional seat in 2022. He replaced Conor Lamb, who did not seek reelection that year.
Mercuri, a West Point graduate and small-business owner from Pine, is hoping to win the seat in a critical swing district for the GOP.
Pennsylvania’s 17th Congressional District includes all of Beaver County and part of Allegheny County, including suburbs stretching from the North Hills, East Hills and the Alle-Kiski Valley to the Pittsburgh International Airport area and South Hills.
The U.S. House has 220 Republicans and 212 Democrats, and the GOP is desperate to swing seats like Deluzio’s that it views as being in play.
Deluzio, 40, said in his first term in office he has resolved about 2,000 constituent cases and secured federal funding to help communities bolster police departments, create affordable housing and repair critical infrastructure.
He also has been a vocal advocate for railway safety after a fiery train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.
“I’ve been fighting hard for all of us and for our safety,” Deluzio said in a recent interview with TribLive.
Mercuri, 42, who also has served overseas, co-sponsored bipartisan legislation that enabled autonomous vehicle testing in Pennsylvania. He spearheaded a bill, signed by former Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf, that allowed people to get mortgages remotely in the wake of the covid-19 pandemic.
If elected to Congress, Mercuri said, he would prioritize improving energy policy to bring more jobs and energy independence to the Keystone State.
“Western Pennsylvania is poised to be a leader and to really benefit from clean natural gas production,” he told TribLive, adding that energy could become more expensive and less reliable if it’s coming from foreign nations.
Bipartisan bona fides
Deluzio promoted his efforts to grow union jobs and increase domestic manufacturing.
His “Make Stuff Here” agenda — which he rolled out in August with U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Braddock — includes targeted tariffs on products imported from countries such as China, Russia and Iran. It also calls for tax credits for domestic companies producing steel and magnets made from rare earth metals that can be used in cellphones, electric vehicles and MRI machines.
Deluzio portrayed himself as a bipartisan leader whose military background taught him to work with everyone. He belongs to the bipartisan For Country Caucus, which encourages military veterans in Congress to work together across party lines.
“There are still places where Democrats and Republicans can work together,” he said.
As an example, he cited legislation he is shepherding that would provide free firearm lock boxes for veterans to encourage safe gun storage and curb suicides. It’s something he hopes can generate wide bipartisan support.
Mercuri pointed to his own military career and time in the Legislature as evidence that he, too, can find solutions to tough problems and work across party politics.
He backed a measure recently signed by Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, that protects young people from exploitative AI-generated imagery.
That track record, Mercuri said, proves he would be able to get things done in Congress despite political divisions.
“It’s the issue of our time, really, how to find common ground across the aisle,” Mercuri told TribLive.
Deluzio, however, recently criticized Mercuri over a campaign stop with U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La.
Deluzio cast his opponent as someone “who regularly campaigns with extremist election deniers like Mike Johnson.”
“Let me crystal clear on this — Joe Biden was elected president four years ago, and Western Pennsylvanians have been losing ever since,” Mercuri said in response to Deluzio’s comments. “I’m ready to lead us forward. As your congressman, I will always honor my oath to protect and defend the U.S. Constitution just like I did as an officer in the U.S. Army.”
Stances on abortion
If reelected, Deluzio said his primary focus will be on continuing to fight for reproductive freedoms, keeping costs down and growing jobs in Western Pennsylvania.
Deluzio said he supports federal legislation to restore Roe v. Wade protections for abortion access.
“I think most people want the government out of these decisions,” Deluzio said. “I am not someone who thinks politicians need to be deciding these things for women.”
Mercuri in 2021 co-sponsored a “heartbeat bill” that would have restricted abortion in the commonwealth once a fetal heartbeat is detected.
“I’ve been clear that this is a state issue, that I don’t believe we need a federal policy or a federal ban on abortion in this country,” Mercuri said. “I believe in exceptions for rape, incest and life of the mother.”
He also voiced support for access to in vitro fertilization.
The economy
Both candidates acknowledged economic concerns are among top issues facing voters ahead of the November election.
Mercuri blamed Congress for worsening the nation’s economy by driving the country deeper and deeper into debt. He contrasted that with his work in the Legislature, where officials are tasked with passing a balanced budget each year.
Creating financial stability, Mercuri said, is a key priority.
Deluzio said he is pushing to eliminate “junk fees,” those hidden charges often tacked on to bills for concert tickets, hotel rooms or other items.
Deluzio said he also has supported efforts to lower drug prices for seniors on Medicare, protect funding for federal anti-trust enforcers and tackle shrinkflation, the practice of companies shrinking the size of their products without reducing costs.
“I hear from people a lot about their frustrations with getting ripped off, with seeing powerful companies gouge us,” Deluzio said.
Turning to a hotly debated international issue, Deluzio said he was hopeful recent news that Israel killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar could provide an opportunity to secure a ceasefire, return hostages and find a path to peace for Israel and Palestine.
“I’ve been very clear in my support of Israel’s ability and need to defend itself,” Deluzio said, adding he also consistently has called for better protection of civilians caught in the middle of the violence.
Mercuri said he wants to see taxpayer dollars continue funding Israeli missile defense programs such as the Iron Dome and David’s Sling. He has called for a two-state solution that preserves a secure Israeli state and a demilitarized Palestine.
“It’s important that we stand by our friend,” Mercuri said. “That means helping them win this war and defend their country.”