Democrat Pisciottano defeats Republican Dintini to replace retiring Brewster in state Senate

A Democrat Pennsylvania State House member will step over to the state Senate to replace the retiring Jim Brewster in the 45th Senatorial District.

With more than 99% all precincts in that district reporting, Nick Pisciottano, a two-term state representative, won the seat over Republican newcomer Jennifer Dintini, receiving 53% of the vote, according to unofficial Allegheny County election results.

Brewster, who has held the seat since 2010, had endorsed Pisciottano to succeed him. Brewster announced his retirement last January, effective at the end of his term in December.

The sprawling district includes Plum and stretches from Allegheny County’s Mon Valley and Pittsburgh’s eastern and southern suburbs, to Forward Township in the north and from Castle Shannon east to the county line. It includes the cities of Clairton, Duquesne and McKeesport; Baldwin, Elizabeth, Forward and North and South Versailles townships; and 29 boroughs.

Pisciottano, 34, of West Mifflin won most of the central area of the district, while Dintini, 43, a business owner from Plum, carried those at its northern and southern ends, according to the county’s results.

Pisciottano ran on a platform focused on state funding for public education, economic development and investing in safer communities by clearing blight and funding local first responders.

Dintini said her top three priorities would be economic revitalization, completing infrastructure projects that boost the economy and supporting police for safer communities.

Pisciottano was first elected to represent the state House’s 38th District in 2020 and was unopposed for reelection in 2022.

Pisciottano endorsed Democrat John Inglis, a member of West Mifflin Council, to replace him in the House. Inglis won with about 55% of the vote over Republican Stone Sobieralski, a member of Whitehall Council, according to unofficial election results.