Lee challenged incumbent Representative Paul Costa in the Democratic primary for the 34th district in 2018. An organizer from Pittsburgh'sDSA chapter approached her about running after she led a successful write-in campaign for a school board candidate.[10] She defeated Costa, 67.8% to 32.2%, attributing her victory to grassroots campaigning.[11] She was unopposed in the general election.
Lee won the Democratic primary election on May 17, 2022, defeating rival Steve Irwin. Though Irwin had an early lead on election night with early and mail-in ballots, Lee emerged with a victory of around 740 votes once in-person Election Day votes were counted. She won the Allegheny County portion of the district by almost 4,500 votes. Most networks had declared Lee the winner by May 20, and Irwin conceded that day.[15]
In the November 8 general election, Lee defeated Republican Mike Doyle (no relation to the Democratic incumbent).[16]
Lee simultaneously ran for reelection to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives; she was reelected to a third term with little opposition, but was required to resign the seat to assume her new role in the U.S. House, which she did on December 7, 2022.[17][18] With elections in the 32nd district, where incumbent Tony DeLuca died in October 2022 but was reelected posthumously to a 21st term,[19] and the 35th district, where incumbent Austin Davis was simultaneously reelected to a third full term and elected lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania, an unusual situation arose in which the Democratic Party gained control of the chamber, having won 102 seats to the Republican Party's 101 in the 2022 elections, but would begin the new legislative term with just 99 members, due to these three vacancies in solidly Democratic districts in Allegheny County.[20]
In 2024, Lee faced a primary challenge from Edgewood Councilwoman Bhavini Patel, who ran towards the political center compared to Lee.[21] Amid concerns that her criticism of Israel could cost her renomination in a district with a significant Jewish population, Lee cultivated endorsements from prominent Democrats including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senator Bob Casey Jr.[22] The race between Lee and Patel, who is pro-Israel, was seen as a bellwether for other primary races where pro-Israel candidates are challenging progressive, Israel-critical incumbents.[23] Ultimately Lee defeated Patel,[24] but unlike Lee fellow progressive Israel critics Jamaal Bowman and Cori Bush were defeated for renomination by pro-Israel candidates who, unlike Patel, received backing from the pro-Israel AIPAC.[25][26][27]
Tenure
Abortion
Lee supports abortion rights.[28] Lee joined forty other House Democrats in a letter calling on the Biden Administration to use all means possible to preserve FDA approval for Mifepristone and protect access to these treatments nationwide, in response to a ruling by Northern District of Texas Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk.[29][30]
Lee was among the 46 Democrats who voted against final passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 in the House.[32] She was the only no-vote among western Pennsylvania house members.[33] She had previously decried Republicans' willingness to take the country "to the brink of economic catastrophe" to win budget concessions.[34]
Gun control
On March 29, 2023, two Pittsburgh Catholic schools received what investigators deemed were hoax active shooter threats that prompted evacuations, lockdowns and large responses from police.[35] This came two days after a highly publicized school shooting in Nashville.[36] In response, Lee said that having to endure active shootings and related evacuations, drills and hoaxes is "no way for our kids to live," and blamed the proliferation of guns in America for causing the widespread panic of the fake active shooting reports.[37]
On April 7, 2023, Lee harshly criticized the Tennessee House's expulsion of Democratic representatives Justin Pearson and Justin Jones.[38] The lawmakers were expelled after joining a protest against mass shootings on the Tennessee house floor.[39] Her criticism was also aimed at Republican's overall treatment of gun control, saying "people are dying because Republicans want to put politics over the lives of the people they represent. They ask for safety for themselves, but not for school children, and they'll sacrifice the lives of our loved ones for their lobbyists."[40]
Infrastructure
After a Norfolk Southern train derailed in Pittsburgh on April 8, 2023, Lee called for more accountability from railroads, and protection from so-called "bomb trains" that carry hazardous materials through populated areas.[41] This was two months after a train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, which also involved a Norfolk Southern train.[42] In response to these events, Lee publicly supported multiple bills in Congress that look to enforce strict regulations on the rail industry.[43] She is an original co-sponsor of the DERAIL Act, which would put stricter federal rail safety regulations in place that were rolled back during the Trump administration.[44][45]
On April 25, 2023, Lee was one of 19 Representatives (18 Democrats and 1 Republican) to vote against House Resolution 311, a resolution honoring America's relationship with Israel on the 75th anniversary of its independence.[49]
On May 5, 2023, Lee was one of 17 cosponsors of the "Defending the Human Rights of Palestinian Children and Families Living Under Israeli Military Occupation Act," which "prohibits U.S. taxpayer funding to the Government of Israel from being used for the military detention, abuse, or ill-treatment of Palestinian children in Israeli military detention."[50][51][52]
On June 13, 2023, Lee was one of 13 representatives (eleven Democrats and two Republicans) who voted against a bill mandating the Biden administration appoint a special envoy for the Abraham Accords.[53]
On October 25, 2023, Lee and eight other progressive Democrats (Ocasio-Cortez, Bowman, Bush, Carson, Omar, Ramirez, Tlaib, and Al Green), along with Republican Thomas Massie, voted against a resolution supporting Israel in the wake of the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. The resolution stated that the House of Representatives: "stands with Israel as it defends itself against the barbaric war launched by Hamas and other terrorists" and "reaffirms the United States' commitment to Israel's security"; the resolution passed by an overwhelming 412-10-6 margin.[56][57] Lee has instead voiced support for a ceasefire in the wake of Israel's military campaign against Hamas,[21] co-sponsoring an opposing resolution demanding a ceasefire in the conflict.[58] She has condemned Hamas's attack. She has also accused Israel of war crimes.[23] Lee voted against a foreign aid package for Israel.[59]
Russia
Lee, along with nearly fifty other members of Congress, were barred from entering Russia on May 19, 2023.[60][61]
Syria
In 2023, Lee was among 56 Democrats to vote in favor of H.Con.Res. 21, which directed President Joe Biden to remove U.S. troops from Syria within 180 days.[62][63]
TikTok
In light of a potential ban on TikTok in the United States, Lee has supported the platform, calling it "an incredible organizing tactic."[64][65] She voted against a bill that would force TikTok's parent company to sell the app or face a ban.[66]
^ abc"Representative Summer Lee". The official website for the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Archived from the original on March 30, 2019. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
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