Harry Readshaw announced his plans to retire at the end of the year on Tuesday
Pennsylvania State House
Readshaw announces retirement, and challengers eye a suddenly open seat
He is among a dwindling number of “old-school Democrats,” as he calls them.
-
Chris Potter/WESA
Pennsylvania State House
Harry Readshaw announced his plans to retire at the end of the year on Tuesday
(Pittsburgh) — State Rep. Harry Readshaw, who has represented portions of Pittsburgh and nearby suburbs for a quarter-century, announced that this year would be his last in Harrisburg. And already there are hopefuls seeking to replace him.
Readshaw, who is 78, cited age considerations as the reason for his decision to retire at the end of 2020. “In two more years, I’d be 81. Although I think I am in pretty good shape, the reality of those numbers sort of grabs you.”
Readshaw represents the 36th District, which includes Carrick and other south Pittsburgh neighborhoods, as well as Brentwood, Mount Oliver, and parts of Baldwin. First elected in 1994, he led Democrats on the House Professional Licensure Committee, which handles matters related to 29 board and commissions under the jurisdiction of the Pennsylvania Department of State. Readshaw himself is the third-generation owner of a family funeral home in Carrick. He said he was especially proud of bringing home state grants and other financial support for his district over the years.
Readshaw is also among a dwindling number of “old-school Democrats,” as he calls them: strong supporters of unions and labor, but often opposed to abortion rights and gun control.
The number of such Democrats has shrunk in recent years, as a progressives have mounted challenges to more conservative Pittsburgh-area representatives like Dom Costa. Readshaw himself was facing a challenge from Jessica Benham, of the South Side Slopes.
Readshaw said the challenge from Benham – who earlier in the day announced the backing of City Council President Theresa Kail-Smith – was not a factor in his decision. He easily brushed back a progressive foe in Erin Molchany back in 2014. “I’ve had opponents before, that certainly doesn’t annoy or frighten me,” Readshaw said. “It’s called politics.” He also dismissed the possibility that his district would be redrawn or eliminated after the 2020 Census: Democrats have speculated that he would step down after a final term, to make it easier to sacrifice a district as the region continues to lose clout.
But he allowed that Pittsburgh, and Democratic politics, were changing to at least some extent.
“There’s been a dramatic change in some areas. There has been change in the 36th District, but I do believe even to this date that it is more moderate than liberal in its make-up,” he said. “There are more younger people in the district now than probably ever has been. … But compared to some city districts, it’s stayed pretty moderate in its political philosophy.”
He lamented that fact that both parties had become more ideological. “For the government to work, there needs to be compromise,” he said. “I would hope whoever follows me does in fact have the word ‘compromise’ in their vocabulary, and would be concerned about good government as opposed to good politics.”
He said that in addition to Benham, Heather Kass of the 29th Ward Democratic Committee was running. Kass could not immediately be reached for comment, though she has placed an ad announcing her bid in the South Pittsburgh Reporter, a neighborhood paper.
As for Benham, she thanked Readshaw for his work as a legislator. “I wasn’t running because of just one person. So I am looking forward to a robust primary of engagement with voters whether or not we end up with anyone else in the race. Whether it’s the frontrunner, underdog — whatever status I have, where my heart is one-on-one conversations with people.”
Still, Benham observed, “It did take a lot of courage to step up and run when it wasn’t an open seat. I’m hopeful that voters will see that as reflective of the courage that I will take with me to Harrisburg.”
The Purple Buck Newsletter
Get insights into WITF’s newsroom and an invitation to join in the pursuit of trustworthy journalism.
