Mon Valley State Rep. Matt Gergely dies after suffering medical emergency

MCKEESPORT, Pa. — State Representative Matt Gergely has died.

“We lost a true champion for working families, and true champion for the Mon Valley,” said Pennsylvania Lt. Governor Austin Davis.

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At just 45 years old, Gergely died over the weekend after suffering a medical emergency at the end of last year. He took over for Davis to serve McKeesport, Clairton and Munhall communities in the House and was elected for a full term just this fall.

“In his short time, he showed himself to be a thoughtful, caring and active legislator. Someone who came to Harrisburg to fight to revitalize his communities and everyday he went to work that was his singular goal improving the lives of the people of the Mon Valley and the people of Pennsylvania,” Davis said.

Gergely was a prime sponsor of legislation to improve testing of blood plasma and to add more flexibility for businesses licensed to serve alcoholic beverages. Both bills were signed into law last year.

Prior to serving the state, he worked for the City of McKeesport.

“It’s the loss of a family member of a friend, and a community leader. Somebody we are never going to replace but we are grateful for the life Matt Gergely lived,” Davis said.

His death now leaves the State House deadlocked again with 101 Republicans and 101 Democrats. We checked in with Chris Bonneau who is a political professor from the University of Pittsburgh. He believes it will only be a short time before Democrats take control of the House again.

“In the last election, it was the same division between Republicans and Democrats, and Democrats held despite the majority of the state going republican. Houses are made up of many districts. Districts tend to be favorable to one party or the other. Very few are marginal districts,” Bonneau said.

A special election to fill his seat can’t happen for at least 70 days per state law.

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