WASHINGTON — One of the Washington-based publications that track congressional races now says U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio has a strong chance of being re-elected this fall.

Inside Elections now rates the 17th Congressional District seat as "likely Democratic. The Cook Political Report still gives Deluzio, D-Aspinwall, only a slight advantage over state Rep. Rob Mercuri, R-Pine, in Western Pennsylvania's only competitive House race.

"There's not much excitement from Republicans about this race," Inside Elections said, noting that Mercuri, who had $801,258 to spend at the end of June — less than half as much as Deluzio's $1.9 million — has not received much financial support from outside groups. The House Republicans' political arm jointly funded an ad with Mercuri. But that group nor the House GOP super PAC have spent other money in support of Mercuri, according to the research group OpenSecrets.

Deluzio raised $3 million through June 30, almost as much as the $3.3 million he raised for his entire 2022 campaign. Mercuri brought in $1.1 million.

"PA-17 is falling further and further out of reach for the out-of-touch, extreme, and underfunded Rob Mercuri," said Aidan Johnson, a spokesman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. "Chris Deluzio lets his hard work speak for itself and Western Pennsylvania will continue to have a real fighter for the region when he wins in November."

Still, House Republicans in July added Mercuri to their list of GOP challengers most likely to win a Democratic-held seat, bringing with the designation provides fundraising help and other assistance.

"Chris Deluzio has locked arms with the most radical members of his party like Summer Lee and Bernie Sanders, whose far left agenda is out of touch with Western Pennsylvania," said Mike Marinella, a spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee. "Rob Mercuri is a strong candidate with a proven ability to deliver results who serves as a stark contrast to Deluzio's extreme track record."

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