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U.S. House District 12
2026 Pennsylvania U.S. House District 12 — General Election · November 3, 2026
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Last reviewed September 23, 2026Policy statements from campaign-controlled sources are labeled candidate positions; they are not independently presented as proven outcomes.
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Official result name: JAMES HAYES
Certified primary votes: 23,760
Only contact details published in official filing records, FEC filings, or a verified candidate-owned source with retained exact evidence appear here.
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FEC committee ID: C00838185
FEC committee name: JAMES HAYES FOR CONGRESS
Published email: [email protected]
Published email: [email protected]
Published website: https://jameshayesforpa.com/
Publication here means only that the contact detail appeared in the cited filing. It is not an endorsement, and older filings may remain visible until an amended official record is captured.
Verified records and candidate-provided claims are labeled separately.
The family wasn’t rich in dollars, but the support and drive to succeed left a young James Hayes well equipped for business and, ultimately, public service. From his days as the president of the Lancaster County Teenage Republicans to a business career that included a six-year stint with the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, Hayes built a knowledge base in business administration and economics. He holds a bachelor’s in international economics from Georgetown, a master’s in economics and policy from Princeton, underwritten by the National Science Foundation, an MBA in finance and accounting from the University of Chicago, and a doctorate in business administration from Case Western Reserve.
The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.
The family wasn’t rich in dollars, but the support and drive to succeed left a young James Hayes well equipped for business and, ultimately, public service. From his days as the president of the Lancaster County Teenage Republicans to a business career that included a six-year stint with the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, Hayes built a knowledge base in business administration and economics. He holds a bachelor’s in international economics from Georgetown, a master’s in economics and policy from Princeton, underwritten by the National Science Foundation, an MBA in finance and accounting from the University of Chicago, and a doctorate in business administration from Case Western Reserve.
When Hayes arrived in Pittsburgh, he and his family moved into the house once owned by Pitt football coaching legend Johnny Majors. After his service with The Fed in Richmond, he returned to the city, settling in Shadyside. He is married to Brenda Diaz, whom he met while working in Mexico in the early 90s. “I told her she was export quality,” he jokes. Brenda currently is employed as a teacher at the Community Day School in Squirrel Hill. The couple has three children, Brenda Theresa a Princeton graduate who is pursuing a career in the entertainment industry; Angela, is a graduate of Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service and currently works for the Georgetown Law School, and Jocelyn, a senior at Northeastern University in Boston studying marketing and design. Hayes also has a daughter, Courtney, that has built a successful career with a major insurance company after attending Clark Atlanta University.
The text below is the exact source material used for this statement.
When Hayes arrived in Pittsburgh, he and his family moved into the house once owned by Pitt football coaching legend Johnny Majors. After his service with The Fed in Richmond, he returned to the city, settling in Shadyside. He is married to Brenda Diaz, whom he met while working in Mexico in the early 90s. “I told her she was export quality,” he jokes. Brenda currently is employed as a teacher at the Community Day School in Squirrel Hill. The couple has three children, Brenda Theresa a Princeton graduate who is pursuing a career in the entertainment industry; Angela, is a graduate of Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service and currently works for the Georgetown Law School, and Jocelyn, a senior at Northeastern University in Boston studying marketing and design. Hayes also has a daughter, Courtney, that has built a successful career with a major insurance company after attending Clark Atlanta University.
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Each summary is supported by the candidate's own words from a campaign source, direct candidate response, or official primary record retained with the profile.
I’ve seen how overregulation has crushed local businesses and sent jobs elsewhere. I’m committed to policies that support working families, bring back good-paying union jobs, and protect small business owners. It’s time to rebuild our economy—with Western Pennsylvania workers at the center of it.
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I’ve seen how overregulation has crushed local businesses and sent jobs elsewhere. I’m committed to policies that support working families, bring back good-paying union jobs, and protect small business owners. It’s time to rebuild our economy—with Western Pennsylvania workers at the center of it.
I believe in an America where every person is treated with dignity—no matter their background, faith, or where they come from. My platform is rooted in freedom, opportunity, and respect. I also believe in standing by our allies, including Israel, to keep America and the world safe.
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I believe in an America where every person is treated with dignity—no matter their background, faith, or where they come from. My platform is rooted in freedom, opportunity, and respect. I also believe in standing by our allies, including Israel, to keep America and the world safe.
Western Pennsylvania has a proud legacy in energy. I support an all-of-the-above energy strategy that keeps our lights on, creates local jobs, and breaks our dependence on foreign powers. We can lead the future—right here at home.
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Western Pennsylvania has a proud legacy in energy. I support an all-of-the-above energy strategy that keeps our lights on, creates local jobs, and breaks our dependence on foreign powers. We can lead the future—right here at home.
It’s time to rein in wasteful government spending. I’ll fight for transparency, balance the books, and work across the aisle to bring accountability and civility back to Congress. We owe it to our kids and grandkids to get this right.
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It’s time to rein in wasteful government spending. I’ll fight for transparency, balance the books, and work across the aisle to bring accountability and civility back to Congress. We owe it to our kids and grandkids to get this right.
“People in the 12th District should be voting for people that represent their values,” Hayes says. “Right now, that’s not the case. We need to focus on jobs and crime in this region. The way to create jobs is to encourage business. The way to stop crime is to prosecute it.”
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“People in the 12th District should be voting for people that represent their values,” Hayes says. “Right now, that’s not the case. We need to focus on jobs and crime in this region. The way to create jobs is to encourage business. The way to stop crime is to prosecute it.”
Public safety isn’t political—it’s personal. After losing my son to violent crime, I’ve made it my mission to ensure our communities are safe. That means supporting law enforcement, investing in crime prevention, and making sure repeat violent offenders are held accountable.
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Public safety isn’t political—it’s personal. After losing my son to violent crime, I’ve made it my mission to ensure our communities are safe. That means supporting law enforcement, investing in crime prevention, and making sure repeat violent offenders are held accountable.
Every child deserves a great education—regardless of their zip code. I support expanding school choice so families can find the best fit for their children. Let’s give teachers the tools they need and empower parents to be true partners in education.
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Every child deserves a great education—regardless of their zip code. I support expanding school choice so families can find the best fit for their children. Let’s give teachers the tools they need and empower parents to be true partners in education.
I am running for Congress because I believe Western Pennsylvania deserves safer communities, stronger economic growth, and practical leadership focused on results — not political extremism. As the son of a steelworker and an economist who understands what it takes to create jobs and rebuild the region, it’s time to move Southwestern Pennsylvania forward again.
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I am running for Congress because I believe Western Pennsylvania deserves safer communities, stronger economic growth, and practical leadership focused on results — not political extremism. As the son of a steelworker and an economist who understands what it takes to create jobs and rebuild the region, it’s time to move Southwestern Pennsylvania forward again.
Protecting Public Safety
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Protecting Public Safety
Expanding Education Options
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Expanding Education Options
Adopt economic policies that support working families in Western Pennsylvania.
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Bring good-paying union jobs back to Western Pennsylvania.
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Protect small-business owners from economic and regulatory pressures.
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Support law-enforcement agencies working to keep communities safe.
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Invest federal resources in crime-prevention programs.
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Ensure repeat violent offenders are held accountable.
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Expand school-choice options so families can select the educational setting that best fits their children.
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Provide teachers with the tools needed to educate students effectively.
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Empower parents to serve as active partners in their children's education.
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Treat people with dignity regardless of background, faith, or country of origin.
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Continue United States support for Israel as an ally.
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Pursue an all-of-the-above energy strategy in Western Pennsylvania.
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Expand domestic energy capacity to reduce dependence on foreign powers.
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Reduce federal spending the candidate considers wasteful.
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Increase transparency in federal spending and budgeting.
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Move the federal budget toward balance.
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Work across party lines while promoting accountability and civility in Congress.
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Public-record research limitation
This does not mean the candidate has no prior public service or record. A record attaches only after authoritative office history and a stable provider identity are established; names, titles, attendance, sponsorship, and inferred responsibility are insufficient.
Official filings may be amended after publication.
FEC candidate totals January 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026.
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Candidate ID: H4PA12068
Name: HAYES, JAMES DR.
Office: House
State: PA
District: 12
Coverage start: 2025-01-01
Coverage end: 2026-06-30
Total receipts: $40138.76
Total disbursements: $31302.88
Cash on hand: $9521.39
Debts owed by committee: $12253.08
Every profile claim points back to retained source evidence.
Pennsylvania Department of State
Open Pennsylvania Department of StateFederal Election Commission
Open Federal Election CommissionJames Hayes campaign
Open James Hayes campaignLink checked September 15, 2026.
James Hayes campaign
Open James Hayes campaignLink checked September 15, 2026.
Federal Election Commission
Open Federal Election CommissionJames Hayes campaign
Open James Hayes campaign