The socialists vs. the Costas: Upstart hard-left candidates challenge iconic old-school Pittsburgh

[TexasTowelie]

The socialists vs. the Costas: Upstart hard-left candidates challenge iconic old-school Pittsburgh political family

At first blush, you might not figure any politician with the last name of “Costa” would have much to fear from Sara Innamorato or Summer Lee. Neither woman has run for office before, and both are members of the Pittsburgh chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America — an upstart, hard-left group in a region not lately known for radical politics.

But just last month, DSA-backed lawyer Mikhail Pappas toppled Ronald Costa in an independent campaign for district judge in the East End. That upset has changed the landscape in 2018, said Ms. Lee, 30, who is challenging Democrat Paul Costa in the 34th state House district east of Pittsburgh.

“People told me I wasn’t just running against Paul: I was running against all the Costas, against the system,” she said. “But now they see it can be done.”

“Every time I’ve gone to vote, Dom Costa has been the only option,” said Ms. Innamorato, 31, who has been laying the groundwork to challenge the 21st district incumbent. “People deserve the choice.”

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-local/2017/12/08/dom-paul-costa-pennsylvania-house-democratic-socialists-challenge-sara-innamorato-summer-lee/stories/201712080134

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1. Guy Costa

was a member of my HS graduating class.