Apr 23, 2024 By Mike Jones 2 min read

South Strabane resident Chris Dziados appears to be on his way to victory over Ken Bach in the race for the Democratic nomination in the 14th Congressional District.

According to unofficial vote totals following Tuesday’s primary election, Dziados held just a 1,868-vote lead over Ken Bach of South Huntingdon in the district that includes all of Washington, Greene and Fayette counties, and parts of Westmoreland, Indiana and Somerset.

Dziados has a total of 27,588 votes compared to Bach’s tally of 25,722, with all in-person votes tabulated and most mail-in votes counted as of Wednesday afternoon. Greene County has released its final mail-in figures as of Wednesday afternoon, although there weren’t expected to be enough of those votes outstanding to alter the race.

Dziados, 43, said he was pleased with the results and ready to focus on the general election in the fall.

“Obviously, I’m happy it’s gone the way it’s gone,” he said Wednesday afternoon.

He will now face three-term incumbent Republican Congressman Guy Reschenthaler of Peters Township in the November general election. It will be an uphill battle for the Democrat to win in the 14th Congressional District that has a sizable registration advantage for Republicans, but Dziados said he’s ready for the challenge.

“I’ve come across a lot of people – Democrats, Republicans and independents, alike – who are unhappy,” Dziados said of the way Congress is functioning. “People want more of a calm, cool approach from their government. That’s what they want.”

Meanwhile, turnout for Tuesday’s primary was relatively light across the region due to few competitive races on the ballot.

In Fayette County, turnout was just above 24%, while the figure was around 25% in Washington County. Greene County elections officials did not immediately have final numbers available, but said turnout was “relatively low” Tuesday.

Staff writer Amy Fauth contributed to this report.