Conor Lamb

On March 13, 2018, Conor Lamb won the special election for Pennsylvania's 18th congressional district, defeating Republican Rick Saccone in a district that Donald Trump had carried by nearly 20 points in the 2016 presidential election. This victory was significant as it was seen as a major upset and a potential bellwether for Democratic performance in the 2018 midterm elections. Lamb's campaign focused on working-class issues and he ran as a moderate Democrat, which helped him to appeal to traditionally conservative voters in the district. The narrow victory was confirmed after a lengthy count of absentee ballots, and Lamb's performance was seen as an indication of growing Democratic momentum leading into the 2018 midterms.

On November 6, 2018, Conor Lamb won election to the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania's 17th congressional district. This election followed a court-ordered redistricting in Pennsylvania that reshaped many of the state's congressional districts. Lamb, a Democrat, defeated Republican incumbent Keith Rothfus, marking the first time since 2002 that a Democrat had represented the district. The 17th district, which became more favorable to Democrats following redistricting, covers parts of the Pittsburgh suburbs. Lamb's victory was part of a broader wave of Democratic successes in the 2018 midterm elections, as the party regained control of the House of Representatives.

On July 25, 2019, Conor Lamb voted to table a resolution to impeach President Donald Trump. The resolution, brought forth by Representative Al Green of Texas, sought to impeach President Trump on charges of racism after the president's controversial remarks about four minority congresswomen. The vote to table effectively killed the resolution, as a majority of House Democrats joined Republicans in opposing the measure at that time. Lamb, representing a swing district, was one of the Democrats who voted against proceeding with impeachment at that juncture, highlighting the political complexities faced by moderate Democrats during the Trump administration. Lamb's vote indicated a cautious approach to impeachment, underscoring the diverse opinions within the Democratic Party regarding the issue.

On February 5, 2020, Conor Lamb voted to impeach President Donald Trump on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. This vote was part of the House of Representatives' impeachment proceedings against President Trump, following allegations that the president had solicited foreign interference in the 2020 U.S. presidential election and obstructed congressional investigations. Lamb, representing Pennsylvania's 17th district, joined the majority of House Democrats in supporting both articles of impeachment. The impeachment trial subsequently moved to the Senate, where Trump was acquitted. Lamb's vote reflected his alignment with his party on this issue, despite his earlier moderate stances on impeachment-related resolutions.

On November 3, 2020, Conor Lamb was re-elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania's 17th district. Lamb defeated Republican candidate Sean Parnell in a competitive race that garnered national attention and significant campaign funding from both parties. Parnell, a combat veteran and author, had the endorsement of President Donald Trump, making this one of the closely watched races in the 2020 elections. Despite the Republican push, Lamb managed to secure his seat with a narrow victory margin, demonstrating his continued appeal in a district that was seen as a bellwether for suburban voter sentiments. Lamb's victory solidified his position as a congressional representative capable of winning in a swing district.

On January 6, 2021, amid the chaos of the Capitol attack during Congress's counting of Electoral College votes, Conor Lamb delivered a powerful speech on the House floor. As rioters breached the Capitol building, Lamb emphasized the importance of certifying the election results and stood firmly against the unfounded claims of election fraud being propagated by President Trump and his allies. His speech came after the Capitol had been secured but tensions remained high. Lamb's address was noted for its call to uphold democratic processes and condemnation of the violence that took place, underscoring his defense of the integrity of the U.S. electoral system.

On April 30, 2022, reports emerged that Conor Lamb's campaign for the U.S. Senate was facing significant challenges. Despite being seen initially as a strong contender due to his centrist appeal and track record in Pennsylvania, Lamb struggled with fundraising and trailed significantly in polls against his Democratic primary opponent, Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman. The issues of inadequate funding and lack of a distinguishing platform contributed to the campaign's difficulties. Observers noted that while Lamb had been successful in swing districts, the statewide primary proved more challenging due to his moderate positions not aligning with the increasingly progressive state Democratic base.

On October 12, 2022, Conor Lamb voted in favor of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill. This legislation aimed to provide $1.2 trillion for various infrastructure initiatives, including rebuilding roads, bridges, and railways, expanding broadband access, and addressing clean water and climate resilience issues. Lamb, representing Pennsylvania's 17th district, emphasized the significant investments the bill would bring to his constituency, including much-needed upgrades to infrastructure and potential job creation in the region. The bill saw bipartisan support and was hailed as a major legislative achievement for the Biden administration, marking a commitment to renewing America's infrastructure.