Jay Costa, a Democrat, represents Pennsylvania's 43rd Senate District, which includes portions of Pittsburgh, East Hills, Mon Valley, and South Hills in Allegheny County. Born November 17, 1957, in Pittsburgh, he is a lifelong Allegheny County resident, now living in Forest Hills with his wife Roxanne and their three children. Son of the late Allegheny County Treasurer Jay Costa Sr., he works as a principal at the Pittsburgh law firm Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote, P.C., focusing on public finance, municipal law, government, and estate planning. Elected in a 1996 special election, he has served multiple terms, rising to Senate Democratic Leader in 2010 . Notable achievements include signature legislation on education, family law, judicial reform, public safety, job creation, and health care; prime sponsorship of FAIRx to lower senior drug costs; support for CHIP and Medicaid expansion; resolving the Highmark/UPMC dispute; funding for libraries, transportation , Pittsburgh pensions , and stadiums ; and public safety measures like penalties for burglary and child protection upgrades. He chairs the Rules & Executive Nominations Committee, co-chairs the Arts and Culture Caucus, and previously chaired Appropriations, Judiciary, and served as Caucus Chair.

Education and Political Experience

Education:

- Taylor Allderdice High School

- Community College of Allegheny County

- Indiana University of Pennsylvania

- Duquesne University

- Allegheny County Police Academy

- Adjunct Professor, Community College of Allegheny County

Political Experience:

- Deputy Sheriff, Allegheny County

- Register of Wills, Allegheny County

- Shareholder, Grogan Graffam P.C.

- Pennsylvania State Senator, 43rd District

- Democratic Chair, Senate Judiciary Committee

- Caucus Chair

- Democratic Chair, Senate Appropriations Committee

- Senate Democratic Leader

- Democratic Chair, Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee