Forest Hills, PA – December 4, 2019 – State Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) today announced his intention to seek re-election to the Pennsylvania Senate from the 43rd District.
“I’ve been honored and privileged to represent my neighbors in the 43rd District and I’m proud of the work we’ve done together to make our district, Southwestern Pennsylvania, and our whole commonwealth, a stronger, healthier, and more equitable place,” Senator Costa said. “While we’ve come far, I know there’s still more to do. That’s why I’m running again: we need to make sure the state government keeps making progress on the issues that affect all our families.
“That starts with ensuring every Pennsylvanian has access to affordable, top-quality healthcare,” Leader Costa said. “I pushed to expand Medicaid for more than 700,000 working individuals and fought UPMC and Highmark to ensure that we have access to the doctors and hospitals of our choosing. And while some in government want to roll back care, I’ve fought for justice and inclusion for women, seniors, and members of minority communities. And, health issues aren’t just limited to the individual,” Costa continued.
“We also to need to find smart solutions to our state’s growing public health emergencies – like the opioid epidemic and community gun violence.”
“Something’s deeply wrong when more of our neighbors are working longer hours for lower pay. We need an economy that works for everyone, not just the people at the top. That means raising the minimum wage, encouraging small business development, and investing in new, sustainable job-training programs. It’s also important that we continue bringing investment back to the region to improve and rejuvenate our community assets and public institutions.”
“Every Pennsylvanian has the right to drink clean water and breathe pure air,” Costa concluded, “But preserving those rights doesn’t have to come at the price of developing our regional economy or supporting the jobs we already have. We can limit our state’s carbon footprint and invest in green industries all while maintaining the solvency of our middle class.”
A lifelong Allegheny County resident and the former Register of Wills, Leader Costa is a graduate of the Community College of Allegheny County, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and the Duquesne University School of Law. He and his wife Roxanne are the proud parents of three children.
