Pennsylvania Rep. Chris Deluzio’s first ad of his reelection bid focuses on his work responding to the 2023 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.
“Disasters like this happen when corporations put their profits ahead of our families’ safety,” the freshman Democrat said in the ad, shared first with CQ Roll Call. “So in Congress, I’m leading the Railway Safety Act, working with Democrats and Republicans to hold them accountable.”
The northern part of Pennsylvania’s 17th District borders East Palestine, where a train derailed in February 2023, releasing hazardous materials into the air, soil and water in the surrounding areas. That occurred just a month after Deluzio joined the House.
“Those toxins went into our air and water in western PA,” Deluzio said in the ad.
Deluzio introduced bipartisan legislation meant to hold Norfolk Southern railroad responsible for the crash and to prevent future wrecks, but the legislation has stalled.
Deluzio’s six-figure ad buy running on broadcast and cable in the Pittsburgh area comes the day after his Republican opponent, state Rep. Rob Mercuri, released his first ad on Wednesday. Mercuri’s ad shows his family watching a 2016 presidential debate between former President Donald Trump and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and he introduces himself to voters as a veteran and business owner.
“It was the debates. I thought, ‘is this what our kids will think America can be?'” he said in the ad. “I’ve never shied away from service, whether at West Point or two tours in Iraq. I started a business, gave back to the community that raised me. Washington can do more to lower costs, protect our families and secure our future.”
Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rates the race as Lean Democratic. The National Republican Congressional Committee last month added Mercuri to its Young Guns program for promising challengers.
Deluzio leads the race in fundraising. He had $1.9 million on hand as of June 30, compared to Mercuri’s $801,000.
The post Deluzio’s first ad focuses on East Palestine response work appeared first on Roll Call.
