Twenty-nine democrats have thrown their hat into the ring of the upcoming election cycle by seeking the endorsement of the county Democratic party, setting up potential primary battles for two U.S. House seats and two Pennsylvania house seats, according to the Allegheny Democratic Committee's website.

Technically, not all 29 candidates have officially announced, but all are seeking the endorsement of the committee. Some have officially announced, like social worker Jessica Wolfe for Pennsylvania House District 19 and incumbent state Sen. Jay Costa. Most of those seeking nominations so far are incumbents.

The highest profile contest appears to be for U.S. House District 12 seat held by Republican Keith Rothfus, which includes Beaver County and most of the North Hills of Allegheny County. Lawyer Steve Larchuk of Franklin Park hinted at talked about his campaign in an interview with City Paper back in October. He will square-off against Erin McClelland of Harrison Township, who won the Democratic nomination in 2014, but lost to Rothfus.

State House Rep. Ed Gainey of East Liberty will also face a primary challenger in activist Will Anderson, who has challenged Gainey in previous elections.

Dj Ryan, executive director of the Allegheny County Democratic Committee says the list of candidates seeking endorsement could change before the Jan. 22 deadline, so candidates could be added and could dropout before then.

See the full list of candidates seeking Allegheny County Democratic endorsements below:

U.S. House of Representatives

District 12 - Steve Larchuk, Erin McClelland

District 14 - Mike Doyle, Janis C. Brooks


Pennsylvania State Senate

District 37 - Ed Eichenlaub

District 43 - Jay Costa

District 45 – Jim Brewster


Pennsylvania House of Representatives

District 16 – Rob Matzie

District 19 – Jake Wheatley, Jessica Wolfe, Mark Brentley, Aerion Abney

District 20 – Adam Ravenstahl

District 21 – Dom Costa

District 23 – Dan Frankel

District 24 – Ed Gainey, Will Anderson

District 25 – Joe Markosek

District 27 – Dan Deasy

District 30 – Ray Linsenmayer

District 32 – Tony Deluca

District 33 – Frank Dermody

District 34 – Paul Costa

District 35 – Marc Gergely

District 36 – Harry Readshaw

District 38 – Bill Kortz

District 42 – Dan Miller

District 45 – Anita Astorino Kulik

District 46 – Joe Szpara