2026 Pennsylvania General Election 

Aerion Andrew Abney

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Aerion is a native of Philadelphia and moved to Pittsburgh when he was 18 years old, where he has spent his entire adult life. Currently he lives in Manchester on the Northside of Pittsburgh where he has been for nearly 10 years.

About Aerion

Education

Aerion has a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and a Master’s degree in Social Work both from the University of Pittsburgh.

He currently resides in Manchester with his wife Tamara and two sons, Aerius and Amari.

Rep. Aerion Andrew Abney's Biography

Aerion Andrew Abney is originally from Philadelphia and moved to Pittsburgh at age 18. He earned a bachelor's degree in communications and a master's degree in social work from the University of Pittsburgh. He lives in Manchester with his wife, Tamara, and their two sons.

Rep. Aerion Andrew Abney - Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Prior to his election, he served as the Pennsylvania director of special projects for All Voting Is Local, a national organization fighting to remove discriminatory barriers at the ballot box. In this position, he was a fierce advocate for the expansion of voting rights, especially for incarcerated Pennsylvanians.

As a former program officer with the POISE Foundation, a grantmaking institution aimed at empowering Black people across the Pittsburgh region, Abney is well-versed in recognizing community needs and securing funds to address them. He approved more than $1.7 million in grants to local nonprofit organizations in this role.

Aerion previously served as Pennsylvania director of special projects for All Voting Is Local and as a program officer with the POISE Foundation.

ABNEY, Aerion Andrew, a Representative from Allegheny County; graduated, Cardinal O'Hara High School, 2006; B.A., communications, University of Pittsburgh, 2010; M.S.W., social work, University of Pittsburgh, 2012; social worker; program officer, POSE Foundation; Pennsylvania director of special projects, voting rights advocacy organization; elected, city committee, Pittsburgh; unsuccessful campaign, Pennsylvania House of Representatives (2018, 2020); board member, Hill District Federal Credit Union; board member, Human Services Center Corporation; elected as a Democrat to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in a Special Election, April 5, 2022; Sworn-In, April 26, 2022 to serve the remaining 2021 term; reelected to the House for the 2023 and 2025 terms.

Official Website - PA House Archives Official Website

Aerion currently serves in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. He was elected in a special election in 2022 and reelected for the 2023 and 2025 terms. He previously ran unsuccessfully for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 2018 and 2020.

Proposes policies to prevent displacement, including first-time homebuyer programs, one-for-one housing replacement, and tax abatements for seniors and long-term residents.

Affordable housing is an ongoing concern on the Northside where we both live. You mention ‘anti-displacement strategies’ in your campaign. Please give us an example of such a strategy and how it would work on the Northside. 
We need to work towards building place and building people at the same time and bring responsible development to our neighborhoods that doesn’t displace current residents.

I want to develop anti-displacement strategies that are integrated into our policies, planning, and programs. This includes but is not limited to: expanding first time home buyer programs for residents unfamiliar with the process but interested in buying a home, one-for-one housing replacement or no net loss housing, tax abatement opportunities for seniors and long term residents in transitional areas.

Q&A with Aerion Andrew Abney, candidate for PA State House District 19

Supports policies promoting public access to data intended to help small businesses grow and service organizations meet community needs.

As State Representative, I would promote and support innovation in the State Legislature that would save taxpayers money without cutting needed services like pushing for same day voter registration. I would also support open data policies that will help our small businesses grow and our service organizations better meet the needs of the community.

The Issues

Supports raising Pennsylvania’s minimum wage to $15 by 2029 and allowing municipalities to reach $15 sooner.

Pennsylvania House Democrats have acted on this issue — twice in the past year, in fact.

We recently passed H.B. 2189, which would raise the minimum wage to $15 by 2029 and allow municipalities to reach the $15 mark sooner. The bill is now pending in the Senate.

District 19 Update: It’s time to raise PA’s minimum wage

Economy

Plans to work with community organizations to identify mental-health needs and seek funding for services and public awareness.

Mental Health Reform

Mental Health Services are oftentimes very underfunded and as a result, individuals who may benefit from those services are unable to receive the treatment they need. This can lead to poverty, incarceration, and death. As a community, we can not let this continue and that is why we must find ways to get help to those in need and support initiatives that strengthen the awareness and availability of mental health services. As State Representative, I would partner with our community organizations to identify the needs that they see exist in the district and then I would return to Harrisburg and fight for funding.

Advocates establishing community health equity zones to address health disparities.

I will push to reinvest in the Department of Environmental Protection to develop innovative ways to use water, wind, and other renewable energy to promote a clean green environment. I will be a tireless champion to establish community health equity zones to eliminate the vast health disparities in our communities.

Healthcare

Advocates providing schools with resources to support teachers and educate students.

Educational Opportunity

Our youth deserve a quality education that will position them for success in the 21st century. However, some of our schools do not have the funding they need to best support our teachers and educate our students. I believe that we can do better and that we must give our schools the resources they need to best support our teachers and educate our students. As State Representative, I will work to create an environment in our area that promotes education and puts our students first.

Education

Plans to reinvest in the Department of Environmental Protection, curb pollution, and develop water, wind, and other renewable energy sources.

No matter your zip code we all deserve to breathe clean air and drink clean water. We know the negative impacts things such as lead in water can have on cognitive skills and the high rate of children growing up with asthma due to our poor air quality. That is why I will fight back against special interests that put our future at risk by polluting our environment for financial gains. I will push to reinvest in the Department of Environmental Protection to develop innovative ways to use water, wind, and other renewable energy to promote a clean green environment.

Energy & the Environment

Proposes criminal-justice reforms that reduce incarceration of nonviolent first-time offenders through job training and educational programs.

Criminal Justice Reform

As State Representative, I will support policies and propose legislation that reforms our criminal justice system by reducing the number of non-violent, first time offenders in our jails. These individuals should be rehabilitated through job training and educational programs and given the opportunity to turn their lives around.

Supports stronger gun laws and proposes legislation to improve police-community relations and give local officials more authority to protect residents.

Safe Communities

Violence in our communities not only affects the victims of such senseless crimes but also directly impacts the quality of life for our residents that live in those areas. In addition to strengthening gun laws to protect our citizens, I will support and put forward legislation to improve police and community relations, promote safe streets, and puts the power to protect citizens back in the hands of our local officials instead of being subject to overarching mandates crafted by lobbyists.

Public Safety

Plans to expand ballot access through same-day registration, automatic registration, pre-canvassing, and other voter-access policies.

Voting Rights

The freedom to vote is a major civil rights issue that is constantly under attack. Voters deserve a government that is not just focused on administering elections but encouraging voter participation. As State Representative, I will work to expand access to the ballot for all eligible PA voters. I will push for same day registration, automatic registration, pre-canvassing and other pro-voter policies. It is time we move this state into the 21st century and reform our voting laws to protect the safety and integrity of our democracy.

Voting & Elections

- Your state representative represents the interests of your local district in the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives. The State House of Representatives, along with the State Senate, makes up your state lawmaking body: the Pennsylvania General Assembly.
- Your state representative can author, sponsor, and vote on bills that may become state laws, including introducing tax bills. 
- State representatives and their staff respond to constituent concerns and questions through emails, phone calls, and website announcements. 
- State representatives oversee the executive branch and can vote to overrule a veto by the Governor.  
- They are elected to two-year terms and have a salary of $106,000, with a 1-3% annual increase

Your representative and state lawmaker in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives