While his brother — former Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl — decided to get out of local politics last year, state Rep. Adam Ravenstahl (D-Summer Hill) has decided to seek a third term in office.

“It has been an incredible honor to serve the residents of the 20th Legislative District and I hope to earn their support for another term,” Ravenstahl said in his announcement release (available after the jump). “I’m proud of my record of fighting for good paying jobs and more funding for local school districts. Ensuring that our children have the opportunity to receive a quality education will remain a top priority of mine.”

The new 20th District is not the same North Side-centric area that Ravenstahl first began representing in 2010. A few suburban areas were also added into the mix during redistricting including Bellevue, Avalon and parts of Ross Township.

While it’s unclear if he will see a primary challenger, Ravenstahl will see opposition in November from Bellevue resident, pastor at Emmanuel Christian Church in Brighton Heights and U.S. Air Force veteran Tom Fodi. Fodi, who PoliticsPa calls a “self-declared Libertarian-Republican, has scheduled his official campaign kick-off for Feb. 3.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE ADAM RAVENSTAHL ANNOUNCES RE-ELECTION BID

PITTSBURGH, Jan. 23 —State Rep. Adam Ravenstahl, D-Allegheny, today announced he will seek re-election to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

“It has been an incredible honor to serve the residents of the 20th Legislative District and I hope to earn their support for another term,” Ravenstahl said. He has served in the State House since 2010.

“I’m proud of my record of fighting for good paying jobs and more funding for local school districts,” Ravenstahl said. “Ensuring that our children have the opportunity to receive a quality education will remain a top priority of mine.”

Also important to him are the inequities with Marcellus Shale drilling. He said the industry is paying far less than their share thanks to a Gov. Corbett-led initiative that requires an impact fee that will cost the industry very little.

“These big corporations are making money hand over fist,” Ravenstahl said. “Gas drilling is hard on our environment and in the end it’s the taxpayers that will pay the price for that. It’s time for these big corporations to chip in instead of allowing the burden to continue to fall on the people of Pennsylvania.”

Some highlights of Ravenstahl’s legislative record include a vote against Gov. Corbett’s severe education cuts; support for a tax on wealthy Marcellus Shale drillers; a vote to reduce the size of the legislature; support for stronger child protection reforms and property tax reform; and support of equal pay and anti-discrimination legislation.

Due to the legislative redistricting process that coincides with the Census every 10 years, the 20th District will now include Avalon, Bellevue, Northview Heights and additional parts of Ross Township.

“I look forward to establishing new relationships and earning the trust of the people in these great communities,” Ravenstahl said. Portions of Lawrenceville, Polish Hill, the Strip District, parts of the North Side and West View remain in the district.

Ravenstahl and his wife, Alisha, reside in the North Side of Pittsburgh.