After unseating an incumbent in the 2020 primary, Democratic state Rep. Emily Kinkead is now facing a primary challenge in her reelection bid in Pennsylvania’s 20th State House District.

The district includes Avalon, Bellevue, Ross, West View and the neighborhoods of Brighton Heights and Observatory Hill in Pittsburgh’s North Side.

Nick Mastros, owner and operator of Allegheny Sandwich Shoppe on Pittsburgh’s North Side, has garnered the support of the Allegheny County Democratic Committee, as well as unions representing building-trades workers and police officers.

Kinkead, an attorney, has earned the support of local political leaders such as Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald and state Sen. Lindsey Williams, as well as unions representing service workers and firefighters.

The two candidates agree on many liberal priorities, and major differences in priorities can be difficult to distinguish. It all sets up an intra-party contest that may come down to who can turn out the most support from traditional Democratic voters on Tuesday.

No Republicans are on the primary ballot.

Emily Kinkead

Born in Pittsburgh, and raised all across the country, Kinkead, 34, returned to Pittsburgh to attend law school and has made the area her home since. She lives in Brighton Heights. Before being elected to the state House in 2020, she worked as an attorney and has experience working in offices shaping policy on the federal level.

Kinkead said she has been a zealous advocate for her district and would continue to be so if reelected. She said she has introduced legislation to provide insurance for those whose homes have been damaged by landslides, invest in programs that address gun violence and secure funding for infrastructure projects.

She said she has helped bring back $20 million in state funding to the district in the 17 months she has served.

“In Harrisburg, I have been a vocal advocate for the kinds of policies that our region needs most,” said Kinkead.

Kinkead said her platform is focused on progressive policies that will improve people’s lives. She said she supports increasing the minimum wage, improving air and water quality, creating more affordable housing, lowering costs of prescription drugs, decreasing childcare costs and protecting access to abortions.

She said while it might be difficult to distinguish between her policies and her opponent Mastros, she criticized him for not detailing what initiatives he supports.

“While my opponent has articulated some very general priorities, none of them are different from the work that I am already doing in the role,” Kinkead said.

Nick Mastros

Mastros, 65, has lived in Ross for 33 years. He grew up in Pittsburgh and graduated from Peabody High School, now named Obama Academy. Mastros has owned and operated Allegheny Sandwich Shoppe on the North Side for over 40 years. He said it taught him common-sense resourcefulness, grit and commitment.

“If elected, I intend to provide equal attention and focus to all residents within the 20th District,” said Mastros. “Like all communities, these residents should benefit from broader constituent services, business stimulus, infrastructure repair and improvement, public safety, enhanced education, as well as protections for women’s rights and the well-being of our seniors.”

Mastros said he also would focus on bringing funding back to the district. He said he would bring the district office to the North Hills, and added that residents’ needs have not been met adequately by the current representation in Harrisburg.

Some of Mastros’ priorities listed on his website align with Kinkead, like infrastructure spending, but others differ. For example, Mastros is calling for term-limits for politicians and wants to provide specific stimulus for small businesses.

He said he pledges to make himself fully accessible to community members.

“The voters supporting me want sincere common-sense action that provides help and solutions for matters that affect the daily lives of their families, businesses, livelihoods and contribute to safe, flourishing communities,” said Mastros.

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