Matthew Gergely | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 35th district | |
| In office February 21, 2023 – January 19, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Austin Davis |
| Succeeded by | Dan Goughnour |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1979-10-05)October 5, 1979 McKeesport, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | (aged 45) |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Holly[1] |
| Children | 2[2] |
| Relatives | Marc Gergely (brother) |
Matthew Robert Gergely[3] (October 5, 1979 – January 19, 2025) was an American politician. A Democrat, he was a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing the 35th district from 2023 until his death in 2025.
Early life and education
Gergely was born on October 5, 1979 in McKeesport, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Sofia and Robert Gergely.[2] He graduated from McKeesport High School and earned a bachelor of science degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2002.[4]
Career
From 2012 to 2017, Gergely was chief of staff to the mayor of McKeesport, Pennsylvania. He was subsequently the business manager for McKeesport Area School District until 2020. Gergely then became McKeesport's chief revenue officer from 2022 to 2023.[4]
In February 2023, Gergely won a special election to represent the 35th district in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives after Representative Austin Davis became the lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania. Gergely's victory in concurrence with two other special elections cemented Democrats' narrow majority in the House after vacancies following the 2022 election left control of the House in question.[5] The 35th district was previously represented by Gergely's brother Marc.[6]
Gergely had two bills he was the prime sponsor of signed into law. One sought to improve the testing of blood plasma, and the other gave licensed businesses more flexibility to serve alcohol.[7]
Death
In December 2024, Gergely suffered a medical emergency. The exact circumstances were not publicly disclosed. He was hospitalized and was thus unable to attend the swearing-in ceremony for legislators on January 7, 2025.[8] Democratic leader Matt Bradford said that Gergely was not expected to be in attendance “for some foreseeable time.”[9] Fellow Representative Andrew Kuzma described Gergely's hospitalization status as critical but stable on January 6.[10] Gergely's absence left the chamber with a partisan tie. During the election for Speaker of the House, Republican leader Jesse Topper withdrew his name after the first tied ballot to avoid deadlock, allowing Democrat Joanna McClinton to be reelected speaker.[11] Topper also wished Gergely a full and speedy recovery in remarks on the House floor.[12] Gergely later died on January 19. He was 45.[8]
Electoral history
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Matthew Gergely | 6,792 | 73.67 | |
| Republican | Don Nevills | 2,302 | 24.97 | |
| Write-in | 126 | 1.37 | ||
| Total votes | 9,218 | 100.00 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Matthew Gergely (incumbent) | Unopposed | |||
| Total votes | 23,550 | 100.00 | |||
| Democratic hold | |||||
References
- ^ "Representative Matthew Gergely". Pennsylvania General Assembly. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
- ^ a b "Matthew Robert Gergely". Retrieved January 20, 2025.
- ^ "Matthew R. Gergely". Tribune Review. January 22, 2025.
- ^ a b "Matthew R. Gergely". Pennsylvania House of Representatives Archives. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
- ^ Vigdor, Neil (February 7, 2023). "Sweep in 3 Special Elections Gives Democrats Control of Pennsylvania House". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
- ^ Morrison, Oliver (January 30, 2023). "In 35th District special election, GOP's Nevills takes on Democrat Gergely". 90.5 WESA. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
- ^ "Mon Valley State Rep. Matt Gergely dies after suffering medical emergency". WPXI. January 19, 2025. Retrieved December 7, 2025.
- ^ a b Riese, Tom (January 20, 2025). "Democratic state Rep. Matt Gergely dies, weeks after medical emergency". 90.5 WESA. Retrieved December 7, 2025.
- ^ McGoldrick, Gillian (January 6, 2025). "The Pa. House is tied 101-101 for the first day of the legislative session after a Democratic state rep suffered a health emergency". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved December 7, 2025.
- ^ Turner, Ford (January 6, 2025). "Republican lawmaker says hospitalization of a Mon Valley House Democrat won't erase Democratic majority". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved December 12, 2025.
- ^ Scolforo, Mark (January 7, 2025). "Democrat elected speaker of tied Pennsylvania House after GOP candidate bows out". WHYY. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
- ^ Scolforo, Mark (January 7, 2025). "Democrat Joanna McClinton reelected as Pa. House speaker after member's illness throws outcome into doubt". The Citizens' Voice. Associated Press. Retrieved December 12, 2025.
- ^ "FEBRUARY 7, 2023 SPECIAL ELECTION - PENNSYLVANIA 35TH LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT". Allegheny County, PA. February 21, 2023. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
