Congresswoman Summer Lee appears to have a clearer path toward a third term after one of her Democratic primary challengers abruptly ended his campaign.
Adam Forgie, the mayor of Turtle Creek who had mounted a moderate challenge to Lee’s progressive leadership, announced that he is withdrawing from the Democratic primary race in Pennsylvania’s 12th Congressional District.
Lee, a Swissvale Democrat, recently secured the official endorsement of the Allegheny County Democratic Committee, further strengthening her position ahead of the May primary. The endorsement came just days before Forgie ended his bid.
“Many circumstances have brought me to this decision,” Forgie, 48, said in a prepared statement announcing the move. “I am extremely grateful for all of those who supported me during this campaign.”
Forgie, a middle-school history teacher whose fourth term as mayor began in January, had argued that Lee’s political style was overly polarizing and out of step with some voters in the district. Throughout the race, he framed his campaign as an appeal for compromise in Washington.
“I think the biggest threat to us right now is division,” Forgie said during the campaign. “Our country was founded on compromise, and polarization brings stagnation. It doesn’t get results. It just breeds more hate. And people want results.”
Lee’s campaign declined to comment Tuesday following Forgie’s announcement.
The congresswoman recently told TribLive that current political conditions require new approaches from elected leaders.
“What we’re facing is so unprecedented, we can’t approach it in the ways we have in the past,” Lee said. “Everyday people want to have an equal voice in the government.”
With Forgie exiting the race, Lee’s only remaining Democratic challenger is William Parker, an app developer who has previously mounted low-budget campaigns for several offices, including Allegheny County executive, Pittsburgh mayor and U.S. senator.
Campaign finance reports underscore Lee’s strong position in the race. She raised roughly $1.13 million in 2025 for her reelection campaign, compared with about $26,000 raised by Forgie.
Republicans will also hold a primary contest ahead of the May 19 election, with retired businessman James Hayes facing conservative candidate Benson Fechter.
The district, which includes much of Pittsburgh and surrounding communities, remains strongly Democratic. Voters in Allegheny County hold roughly a 2-to-1 registration advantage for Democrats, shaping the political landscape in the 12th District.
