Pennsylvania 12th District
Summer Lee (D) holds this seat and is running again. 2 candidates were on the ballot on November 3, 2026.
Who should win this race, and why?Say what you think. Other readers can answer you.Discuss
Summer Lee
Democrat · holds this seat today
FLiberty Score FOn the liberty side in 15 of 100 votes and bills.
Raised $1,630,368 since January 2025: 78% from people, 15% from PACs and other committees, 7% transfers and other income. The filing at FEC.gov
James Hayes
Republican · economist and business executive, steelworker's son
ALiberty Score A100 out of 100 across 4 principles. Graded on what Hayes has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for Hayes.
Raised $80,534 since January 2025: 92% from people, 7% from PACs and other committees. The filing at FEC.gov
Higher on Liberty Score: James Hayes. James Hayes: A, 100 out of 100 from words and actions, with no votes in Congress to count. Summer Lee: F, 10 out of 100 from recorded votes.
Voting in Pennsylvania: how to register, vote early or vote by mail. Election Day was November 3.
Side by side
A solid letter is a grade from recorded votes on that principle. An outlined letter is on the same scale, for a candidate with no votes: it comes from what that candidate has said and done, and every source is listed below.
James Hayes, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Hayes, so the grade above comes from this list: what Hayes has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
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Said Iran must be kept from threatening the US with nuclear weapons or terrorism, with diplomacy backed by economic pressure and American military strength.
“I support diplomacy when it can verifiably reduce those threats, backed by economic pressure and credible American military strength.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Pressure and military strength behind any diplomacy is the with side of the Iran regime measure.
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At his 2023 campaign launch he said he would never turn his back on Israel.
“I will never turn my back on our fellow democracy, Israel”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Backing Israel as an ally is with liberty on free nations.
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Called the US relationship with Israel absolutely important in his answer to a newspaper survey.
“The US relationship with Israel is absolutely important.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Treating Israel as an ally is with liberty on free nations.
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Said he struggles to see the strategic significance of the war in Ukraine for the US and did not say whether he would fund aid.
“I struggle to see the strategic significance of the war in Ukraine for the U.S.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
Doubt about the war without a stated vote on aid or sanctions does not settle the free nations test.
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His campaign site says he stands by America's allies, including Israel.
“I also believe in standing by our allies, including Israel, to keep America and the world safe.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Treating Israel as an ally is with liberty on free nations.
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Said the US should support Israel's security and work with allies to deter Islamic Republic aggression.
“support Israel’s security and work with our allies to deter Iranian aggression”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Supporting Israel's security is with liberty on free nations.
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His campaign site says overregulation has crushed local businesses and he backs policies that protect small business owners.
“I've seen how overregulation has crushed local businesses and sent jobs elsewhere.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Cutting regulation on business is with liberty on free markets.
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Said he does not support a higher federal minimum wage because the free market balances employers and workers.
“the free market generally does the best job of balancing the interests of employers and employees because businesses must compete for workers as well as customers”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Preferring the free market to a wage floor is with liberty on free markets.
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Called illegal border crossing a tragedy in his answer to a newspaper survey.
“Illegal border crossing has been a tragedy on many levels over the last three-and-a-half years.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Treating illegal border crossing as a harm to end is with liberty on borders.
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Said he supports securing the border and removing people who are here illegally, especially those who commit serious crimes.
“I support securing the border and removing individuals who are in the country illegally, particularly those who commit serious crimes or pose security threats.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Securing the border and removing those here illegally is with liberty on borders.
Who is on the ballot: the state election offices, as listed on Wikipedia on November 3, 2026, checked against the candidate file of the Federal Election Commission. See a name that is wrong or missing? Say so in the discussion.
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Pennsylvania 12th District
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