A pair of state representatives from Allegheny County are seeking a high post in Pennsylvania that receives low attention.
While the governor's race takes up most of the campaign oxygen, Democratic state Rep. Austin Davis and Republican state Rep. Carrie Lewis DelRosso say their bids for the lieutenant governor's seat matter, too. The winner of this upcoming election will replace Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, who is running for U.S. Senate.
Here are their thoughts on the position's responsibilities: chairing the commonwealth's board of pardons, steering emergency response policy and — in an extreme event — taking the mantle as governor.
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Governing priorities
If the governor is sidelined because of a health problem, faces a significant legal issue or simply decides to resign, the lieutenant governor is called to fulfill those duties. This scenario isn't unheard of: It happened just a year ago in New York, when then-Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul replaced scandal-ridden Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
Davis said that's one of the reasons this office matters.
"My opponent is just as extreme and dangerous as her running mate [Doug Mastriano]. She has stood shoulder to shoulder on every policy position. She will be equally as dangerous as Doug Mastriano in the lieutenant governor's office," Davis said, adding that he's personally looking forward to advancing the agenda of fellow Democrat and running mate Josh Shapiro.
"I would say, look, this race is critical because literally the lieutenant governor is a heartbeat away from being governor in the worst of situations."
Unlike Davis, who was Democratic gubernatorial nominee Josh Shapiro's pick for lieutenant governor, DelRosso didn't receive Mastriano's early support.
Mastriano — whose staunch anti-abortion views and endorsement from ex-President Donald Trump have made him a far-right darling — instead endorsed Teddy Daniels in the primary. But DelRosso acknowledged that the two of them have quickly become a team.
"We have had an open communication and, quite honestly, he's going to be a fantastic governor," DelRosso said.
"He listens. We have a great working relationship."
According to DelRosso, her experience in running her own marketing business gives her an edge on economic issues over her "career politician" opponent.
She noted that while she's been against the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, Davis has been in favor of it. The initiative is designed to reduce CO2 emissions in the power sector.
Gov. Tom Wolf and other proponents have cited this as a way to combat climate change. DelRosso and other critics, however, point to job losses, including 50 from the Cheswick Generating Station, a power plant that closed this year after operating in DelRosso's district for a half-century.
"What it's done," DelRosso said of RGGI, "is it's caused the electric bills to go up."
PA Board of Pardons
The current lieutenant governor's work with the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons has recently been subject to campaign fodder in race against Republican Dr. Mehmet Oz.
Using attack ads, Oz has pounced on Fetterman's progressive approach to the role. Annual pardons and commutations have multiplied in recent years under Fetterman and Gov. Tom Wolf.
According to Davis, many of the people who come before the board are, like himself, of color. He said he'll bring that perspective to the role and work to make fair, just decisions.
"It's a role that I'm really looking forward to serving in," he said, noting that he'd be the first Black person on the board.
DelRosso, meanwhile, said she'd take a conservative approach.
"I think we need to be very cautious," she said. "[Make sure] the punishment fits the crime."
"It's better to be safe and sound at this point. Some of the [crime] that's going on right now ... it's just eye-opening."
Managing Pennsylvania's emergencies
The other main role for Pennsylvania's lieutenant governor is having a seat on the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Council.
Davis said his years in government would serve him well in this position. He founded and served as chair of the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council under McKeesport Mayor Jim Brewster before working for Allegheny County and becoming a state rep in 2018.
"I'm by far the most experienced candidate in government service and getting things done ... and bringing people together," Davis said, adding that it's critical to have clear communication from the agency.
"I want to make sure we have strong leadership at PEMA [Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency] that's ready to respond to any crisis the commonwealth might face."
If she's elected, DelRosso said, a priority will be to review the procedures and functions of the emergency agency to make sure it's operating efficiently.
"We have to sit down at the table together and see where there's a need for improvement," she said.
PA lt. gov polls?
Looking ahead to November, there are few bellwethers in this contest. Even comprehensive polling sites such as FiveThirtyEight offer no predictions.
Both candidates, however, expressed optimism about their chances.
"I decided to run for lieutenant governor primarily for two reasons," Davis said. "One, to be a strong governing partner with Shapiro, [and to be] a champion for working-class families in Pennsylvania."
"Working-class families are struggling here in Pennsylvania. And everyone deserves the chance to live the American dream."
DelRosso said she plans to bring increased transparency and financial accountability to the office.
"I don't retreat," she said. "I'm a fighter. I put my boots on the ground."
"I will support working-class families and make sure jobs are secure, union and non-union."
Bruce Siwy is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network's Pennsylvania state capital bureau. He can be reached at bsiwy@gannett.com or on Twitter at @BruceSiwy.
Austin Davis background
- A graduate of McKeesport Area High School and the University of Pittsburgh.
- Represents Pennsylvania's House District 35, which covers a portion of Allegheny County.
- Assigned to the Appropriations, Consumer Affairs, Insurance and Transportation committees.
- Lives in McKeesport with his wife.
Carrie Lewis DelRosso background
- Born and raised in Scranton, she stayed in the Pittsburgh area after earning her degree from the University of Pittsburgh.
- Represents House District 33, which covers parts of both Allegheny and Westmoreland counties.
- Resident of Oakmont for more than two decades, where she had a three-year stint on local borough council
- Has three young children.
- Assigned to the House Aging and Older Adult Services, Gaming Oversight, Human Services and Urban Affairs committees.
Editor's note: This story has been amended to correct an error from the original version. Pennsylvania lieutenant governors are elected as a ticket with their party's governor nominee.