Chris Deluzio

Chris Deluzio
Official portrait, 2025
Chris Deluzio
Born	Christopher Raphael Deluzio 13 7, 1984
Birthplace	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, attorney, former naval officer
Education	United States Naval Academy (BS) Georgetown University Law Center (JD)
Children	4
Website	[Official congressional website Official site]

Christopher Raphael Deluzio (born July 13, 1984) is an American politician, attorney, and former United States Navy officer serving as the U.S. representative for Pennsylvania's 17th congressional district since January 3, 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, Deluzio represents a district that encompasses most of the northwestern suburbs and exurbs of Pittsburgh, including the entirety of Beaver County. Before entering Congress, Deluzio served as a naval officer aboard the USS Higgins, deploying to Iraq during the Iraq War, and later built a career in law and cybersecurity policy. He succeeded Conor Lamb in Congress after winning the 2022 election and has since emerged as a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, focusing on issues including railroad safety, election security, and combating the fentanyl crisis. In February 2026, Deluzio announced his campaign for a third term in Congress.

Early Life

Christopher Raphael Deluzio was born on July 13, 1984, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He grew up in the Pittsburgh area, a region defined by its industrial heritage and strong union traditions. Deluzio's upbringing in western Pennsylvania shaped many of his later political positions, particularly his focus on working-class economic issues and manufacturing policy.

As a young man, Deluzio pursued a path of military service, which led him to seek an appointment to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. His decision to attend the Naval Academy reflected an early commitment to public service that would define much of his subsequent career in the military, law, and eventually electoral politics.

Education

Deluzio attended the United States Naval Academy, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree. Upon graduating from the Naval Academy in 2006, he was commissioned as an officer in the United States Navy and began his active-duty military career.

After completing his military service, Deluzio pursued a legal education at Georgetown University Law Center, one of the nation's prominent law schools, where he earned his Juris Doctor degree. His legal training at Georgetown provided the foundation for his subsequent career in election security law and cybersecurity policy. The combination of his military background and legal education positioned Deluzio for work at the intersection of national security and technology policy.

Career

Military Service

Deluzio served in the United States Navy from 2006 to 2012, reaching the rank of Lieutenant. He was assigned to the USS Higgins (DDG-76), an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer. During his service aboard the Higgins, Deluzio deployed to Iraq as part of the Iraq War, an experience that would later inform his positions on veterans' issues and foreign policy.

His six years of active-duty service provided Deluzio with firsthand experience in military operations and national security matters. After leaving active duty in 2012, he transitioned to civilian life, carrying his military background into his subsequent legal and academic career. Deluzio's veteran status later became a central element of his political identity, and he received the endorsement of VoteVets, a prominent veterans' political organization, during his congressional campaigns.

Cybersecurity and Academic Career

Following his military service and legal education, Deluzio developed expertise in cybersecurity and election security. He joined the University of Pittsburgh's Institute for Cyber Law, Policy, and Security (Pitt Cyber), where he served as a legal and policy scholar focused on election security issues. In this role, Deluzio researched and wrote about vulnerabilities in American election infrastructure, advocating for stronger protections against cyber threats to voting systems.

His work at Pitt Cyber established Deluzio as a voice on election integrity and technology policy in western Pennsylvania and nationally. The position allowed him to combine his national security background from the Navy with his legal training from Georgetown, applying both to the emerging field of election cybersecurity. This expertise became a distinguishing feature of his eventual political campaign, differentiating him from other candidates in the 2022 Democratic primary.

Political Involvement

Prior to running for office himself, Deluzio was involved in Democratic Party politics. In 2016, he was among the Bernie Sanders delegates who participated in the Democratic National Convention, reflecting his alignment with the progressive wing of the party. This early political engagement signaled the progressive orientation that would later characterize his congressional campaigns and legislative agenda.

2022 Congressional Campaign

When Conor Lamb, the incumbent representative of Pennsylvania's 17th congressional district, chose to run for the United States Senate rather than seek re-election in 2022, the seat became open. Deluzio entered the Democratic primary, running on a platform that combined his military service, election security expertise, and progressive economic positions. His campaign emphasized support for organized labor, veterans' issues, and protecting American manufacturing—themes with strong resonance in the district's working-class communities.

Deluzio won the Democratic primary and advanced to the general election, where he faced Republican candidate Jeremy Shaffer. The race attracted significant attention as one of several competitive contests that would help determine control of the U.S. House of Representatives. During the campaign, Deluzio highlighted his Navy service and his work on election security, while also focusing on bread-and-butter economic issues important to the district's voters.

On November 8, 2022, Deluzio won the general election, defeating Shaffer to become the representative-elect for Pennsylvania's 17th congressional district. His victory was part of a broader Democratic effort to maintain competitiveness in suburban and exurban districts in the Pittsburgh metropolitan area.

U.S. House of Representatives

Deluzio took office on January 3, 2023, succeeding Conor Lamb. Upon entering Congress, he joined the Congressional Progressive Caucus, aligning himself with the progressive wing of the House Democratic caucus.

Railroad Safety

One of Deluzio's early legislative priorities involved railroad safety, an issue that gained heightened urgency following the East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment in February 2023. The derailment, which occurred near the Pennsylvania border and affected communities in Deluzio's district, prompted him to co-sponsor legislation aimed at tightening safety regulations for freight railroads. Deluzio partnered with Representative Ro Khanna of California on a bill to strengthen rail safety standards. The legislation sought to address gaps in safety protocols that had been identified in the aftermath of the East Palestine disaster, including provisions related to train length, hazardous materials handling, and notification requirements for communities along rail corridors.

Fentanyl Prevention

Deluzio joined the bipartisan Fentanyl Prevention Caucus in Congress, reflecting his concern about the impact of the opioid epidemic on communities in western Pennsylvania. The caucus, which includes members from both parties, focuses on legislative approaches to combating fentanyl trafficking and addressing the public health consequences of synthetic opioid abuse. Deluzio's participation in the bipartisan group illustrated his willingness to work across party lines on issues directly affecting his constituents, as western Pennsylvania has been among the regions most severely impacted by the opioid crisis.

Immigration and Constituent Advocacy

In February 2026, Deluzio drew attention by questioning the detention of a Sewickley, Pennsylvania, resident by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The case involved Bruno Guedes da Silva, a 38-year-old man from Brazil and the father of a child whom supporters said was being treated for cancer. Deluzio publicly sought answers regarding the circumstances of the detention, drawing attention to the case's humanitarian dimensions. The case became a focal point for broader debates about immigration enforcement policies and their impact on families in suburban communities.

2026 State of the Union

In February 2026, ahead of the State of the Union address, Deluzio announced that his guest would be Jonathan Akanowicz, an independent pharmacist who owns Towne Drugs on Commercial Avenue in Aspinwall, a borough in Deluzio's district. The selection was intended to highlight the challenges faced by independent pharmacies in competing with large chain pharmacies and pharmacy benefit managers.

2026 Re-election Campaign

On February 20, 2026, Deluzio announced that he would seek a third term representing Pennsylvania's 17th congressional district. He launched his re-election campaign at an event in Green Tree, a borough in Allegheny County. His campaign filing is registered with the Federal Election Commission.

Personal Life

Deluzio is married; a 2015 announcement in The New York Times documented his marriage. He and his wife have four children. The family resides in the Pittsburgh area, within Pennsylvania's 17th congressional district.

Deluzio's identity as a veteran of the Iraq War and a western Pennsylvania native has been central to his public persona. His military service aboard the USS Higgins and his deployment to Iraq are frequently referenced in his public communications and campaign materials as formative experiences that motivated his entry into public service.

Recognition

Deluzio received the endorsement of VoteVets, a political action committee and advocacy organization representing post-9/11 veterans, during his congressional campaigns. As one of several military veterans elected to Congress in 2022, Deluzio was part of a cohort that drew attention for bringing national security and military experience to the legislative branch.

His work at the University of Pittsburgh's Institute for Cyber Law, Policy, and Security prior to his election was recognized within the academic and policy communities focused on election security. His research and advocacy on voting system vulnerabilities contributed to broader national conversations about protecting election infrastructure from cyber threats.

Deluzio's congressional activities have been covered by C-SPAN, which maintains a profile of his floor speeches and committee appearances. His voting record and policy positions are tracked by Vote Smart.