Abigail Salisbury (0034)

Abigail Salisbury is a Democratic representative for Pennsylvania's 34th Legislative District in Allegheny County, which includes parts of Pittsburgh and surrounding municipalities. Elected in a special election on February 7, 2023, and sworn in on February 21, 2023, she is serving her first term. She is the first Jewish person, first Jewish woman, first openly non-neurotypical person, and first openly LGBTQIA+ person to represent the district. Prior to her election, she served five years on Swissvale Borough Council , including two years as president, focusing on police hiring, transparency, environmental initiatives, and youth activities. Her career includes international work on human rights and microfinance in Kosovo, Senegal, and Ethiopia; executive director of JURIST.org; teaching First Amendment law at the University of Pittsburgh; and founding a reduced-cost law practice for nonprofits and small businesses in Swissvale. Key issues include infrastructure updates, human rights, small business support, public schools, and environmental preservation. She resides with her husband in Swissvale and serves on House committees including Appropriations, Liquor, Environmental Resources & Energy, Commerce, and Local Government. Notable achievements include founding the bipartisan PA Charitable Nonprofit Caucus, passing bills to fight blight and aid grant writing for low-income municipalities, increasing grant access and training for her district's 13 municipalities, and hosting inter-municipal meetings.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: Graduated Fairview High School ; B.A. from Case Western Reserve University ; J.D. from University of Pittsburgh School of Law ; M.P.P.M. from University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public and International Affairs .
• Political Experience: Swissvale Borough Council ; unsuccessful 2022 House campaign; elected to Pennsylvania House in 2023 special election for District 34 .