Adam Forgie drops out of District 12 Democratic primary

“Many circumstances have brought me to this decision,” he said.

Congressional hopeful Adam Forgie has dropped his challenge to Rep. Summer Lee in Pennsylvania’s 12th Congressional District.

Forgie, who called himself a “traditional blue-collar Democrat,” entered the race nearly a year ago, telling the Chronicle that Lee had taken the Democratic party “so far to the left it doesn’t represent what it is to be a true Democrat.”

The now-former congressional candidate is the mayor of Turtle Creek and teacher in the Woodland Hills School District. He had pledged to visit all 47 communities in Allegheny County and 16 in Westmoreland County that are part of the district.

During the last year, Forgie became a staple at Jewish events, including the Jewish Community Center’s Big Night earlier this month, in contrast to Lee, who has been absent from local mainstream Jewish gatherings and who has not responded to requests to speak with the Chronicle.

Forgie also visited Poland with Classrooms Without Borders. He said the experience led to his belief that Holocaust education should be taught in every school and should be federally funded.

He also has stated that Israel has an absolute right to defend itself.

“I am 100% committed to standing with Israel, whether I’m elected or not,” he said. “That’s who I am.”

In the statement announcing his withdrawal from the race, Forgie expressed regret about his decision, but also said he was grateful for those who supported his campaign.

“Many circumstances have brought me to this decision,” he said.

And while he didn’t elaborate on what those circumstances were during an interview with the Chronicle, he did talk about the campaign in positive terms.

“I’ve made dozens of new friends and people,” he said. “I have a new appreciation of what the problems are that people are experiencing across the district. I’m really thankful for the people who wanted to help.”

Asked if he would consider a bid for the seat during the next election cycle, Forgie said that “anything is possible.”

For now, he’s content to focus on work in Turtle Creek.

“There’s a lot of good things happening in the borough and a lot of good things that are going to be happening. There are some new trails we’re trying to get in and some improvements for the parks, litter clean ups, that sort of thing. And I’m going to be active in the Turtle Creek Bike Connector from Rankin to Turtle Creek,” he said.

Lee will now face William Parker, a perennial candidate who previously ran for Allegheny County executive and Pittsburgh mayor, in the Democrat primary. James Hayes, who challenged Lee for the seat two years ago, has qualified for the Republican ballot. Both Benson Fechter and Arnold Santos have announced their intention to challenge Hayes, although it is unclear if they qualified for the ballot.

Any Republican candidate faces a stiff challenge, as the majority of voters in District 12 are registered Democrats. In 2018, the previous12th district was redrawn and renamed District 17. Since 2018, District 12 covers much of the old 10th district and includes Pittsburgh, much of Allegheny County and some of Westmoreland County. In the 2020 presidential election, District 12 voted in favor of Joe Biden for president 59%-39%. In 2024, the district went to Kamala Harris by nearly the same percentage. In 2024, Lee beat Hayes, winning nearly 57% of the vote.

Pennsylvania’s primary election is May 19, 2026.

The Chronicle reached out to Lee’s campaign for a reaction to Forgie’s withdrawal, however, did not receive a response. PJC

David Rullo can be reached at drullo@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.