Sean Meloy announces run for Congress, would be first openly gay congressman from Pa. – WTAE Pittsburgh

Sean Meloy, a native of Western Pennsylvania, announced his candidacy for Congress on Monday.”I think Congress is a broken place. I think D.C. is a broken place and even our politics is largely broken,” Meloy said. Meloy said the top things he would fix if elected include campaign finance and what he calls the hyperpartisan social media misinformation network, education which Meloy said means making sure schools are funded and the students are well prepared and making sure Western Pennsylvania gets a piece of the “green industrial revolution.””The first thing is going to be making sure that all this money that is going to be coming into the region continues to come into this region and is spent well,” Meloy said. “It’s actually working to make sure we get great jobs, prepare people for the 21st-century economy, that includes education that includes fair wages.” Meloy, who if elected would become Pennsylvania’s first openly gay congressman, said that brings some perspective too.”I think that allows me to have a level of empathy that differentiates me from some other candidates,” Meloy said.Meloy said his roots in Western Pennsylvania prove his dedication.”My family’s story is similar to so many here in Western Pennsylvania,” Meloy said. “My grandfathers were coal miners and steel workers.”Meloy said his nonna ran the Indianola post officer, he started the Young Democrats as a student at Hampton High School and he said he is committed to doing the work. “There’s a lot of millionaires, there’s a lot of people who are there for their own ego or to grandstand,” said Meloy “That’s just not me. I like to get things done.”Sean Meloy is running for the seat that’s currently held by Congressman Conor Lamb. Lamb has announced a bid for United States Senate, to replace the retiring Republican Sen. Pat Toomey.Other Democrats running for Lamb’s seat include Iraq war veteran and Pitt Cyber Policy Director Christopher Deluzio and William Murray, a nuclear scientist and engineer.Campaign finance records say Republicans in the running include Tricia Staible and James Tomshay.