Mandy Steele defeats Tristan McClelland for Democratic nod in 33rd District House race

Mandy Steele of Fox Chapel has won the Democratic nomination for the 33rd District state House seat.

She defeated Tristan McClelland of O’Hara to represent the district, which stretches from Sharpsburg to Fawn.

Unofficial results from the Allegheny County Elections Department showed Steele won with 5,313 votes to McClelland’s 2,954 with all precincts reporting.

“I’m feeling great after a busy day at the polls,” said Steele, 44, a member of Fox Chapel Council, said earlier in the evening.

“I’m sunburned and got stung by a bee, but happy to have talked to so many great people that are excited about the potential to drive tremendous investment in clean energy jobs to this region,” Steele said.

Steele will compete in November against Ted Tomson of Fawn. He ran unopposed Tuesday on the Republican ticket.

In the Alle-Kiski Valley, the 33rd House District includes Brackenridge, Cheswick, East Deer, Fawn, Frazer, Harmar, Harrison, Springdale, Springdale Township and Tarentum.

It currently is represented by Republican Carrie DelRosso of Oakmont, who is running for lieutenant governor.

Steele, an environmental activist, ran on a platform of safe schools, women’s rights, a union- fortified economy, renewed infrastructure and renewable energy sources.

Steele was endorsed by the Allegheny County Democratic Committee. She grew up in O’Hara and lives in Fox Chapel, where she was elected to council in 2020.

She believes Southwestern Pennsylvania has the potential to be the clean-energy manufacturing center of the country.

“People are on board and excited,” Steele said. “Our time to reignite this area as a leader in manufacturing is now, this time with clean energy. We can build up and strengthen our communities for all us.”

McClelland, 21, grew up in Harrison and lives in O’Hara. He is a senior at the University of Pittsburgh where he will graduate this year with a double major in economics and international affairs.

He ran on a platform that touted a re-energized job market, union fortification and revamped infrastructure.

McClelland is endorsed by the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO. He said, “we need to reinvigorate our infrastructure with funding from the state, and we must protect the jobs we have and also create more through incentives for small businesses and building up our infrastructure.”

After the polls closed Tuesday, McClelland said he felt the day went well and he was proud of his campaign.

“I’m very happy with the colossal effort that was put in,” he said. “I talked to a lot of voters that were enthusiastic.

“I’m very proud of the people I have on my side.”