American politician
Abigail Salisbury is an American politician who represents the 34th district in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives since 2023. She is a member of the Democratic Party.
Early life and education.
Salisbury was born in Ohio, but moved to Pennsylvania in grade school. She graduated from Fairview High School in 2000. Salisbury attained a bachelor of arts degree from Case Western Reserve University in 2004 and a juris doctor and a M.P.P.M. from the University of Pittsburgh in 2007 and 2013, respectively.
Career.
An attorney, Salisbury ran a low cost law firm representing nonprofits and small businesses. She was also a First Amendment law professor at the University of Pittsburgh and the executive director of the university's legal news and research service. Salisbury previously taught international human rights law in Kosovo and Ethiopia.
From 2018 to 2022, Salisbury served on the borough council of Swissvale, Pennsylvania. She served as council president during her final two years.
In 2022, Salisbury challenged incumbent State Representative Summer Lee in the Democratic primary election. Despite being endorsed by the local Democratic committee, Salisbury was defeated by the incumbent. After Lee was elected to the United States House of Representatives that same year, Salisbury ran in the 2023 special election to fill Lee's vacancy. She defeated Republican Party candidate Robert Pagane. In conjunction with two other simultaneous special elections, Salisbury's victory affirmed Democrats' one-seat majority in the State House following the 2022 election. In 2024, Salisbury faced a primary challenge from Ashley Comans, a progressive ally of Lee. Despite Comans outraising Salisbury and earning the endorsements of Lee, Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey, and Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato, Salisbury defeated Comans 65%-35%. She faces no opposition in the general election.
Political positions.
Salisbury supports legalizing marijuana and psilocybin. She identifies as pro-choice. Salisbury opposes fracking and wants stricter standards for charter schools.
Personal life.
Salisbury is Jewish. Both her and her husband are involved in their congregation. She identifies as bisexual and is on the autism spectrum.
Electoral history.
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References.
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