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Democrats in Pennsylvanias 14th Congressional District know there is a steep hill to climb.

Businessman Ken Bach of Smithton or retired U.S. Navy veteran Christopher Dziados of South Strabane will attempt in November to oust three-term Republican incumbent Guy Rescenthaler, who has represented the six-county district since 2019.

Both Bach and Dziados concede the task ahead is difficult. But they insist that although Democrats account for about 37% of registered voters in the district that includes all or part Westmoreland, Washington, Fayette, Greene Indiana and Somerset counties, the current political environment gives the minority party a chance to succeed in 2024.

Redistricting altered the the district prior to the 2022 election and, according to national experts, is now solidly Republican. Its one where former President Donald Trump won by more than 40 percentage points four years ago, based on 202o vote totals.

Rescenthaler is unopposed in the Republican primary.

Rescenthaler hasnt done a lot to endear himself to the constituents, Dziados said. He doesnt show up, he doesnt come back (home), and he aligns himself very much with Trump. There are moderate Republicans not happy with the public image he has.

Bach said Rescenthaler, who is the chief deputy House Republican whip and who has taken on a growing leadership role among the GOP delegation, has focused more on political ambition in Washington and less on his districts needs back at home.

Republicans see Guy Rescenthaler wants to go up the chain of command, and its not what they want, Bach said.

Bach, 56, owns an auto repair business. He has twice run unsuccessfully for a seat in the state House. He served 14 years as a member of the Yough School Board, including four years as its president.

He pledged to represent the district and not his own political views.

The big issue I see in whats wrong with Congress is many there dont represent their district, Bach said. I will represent the people of this district. Im talking about listening and talking to everyday people.

Rescenthaler doesnt have town halls, and he doesnt communicate with the people. He is pushing his own agenda.

Bach described himself as a pro-choice Democrat and said a solution to the abortion issue is improving economic conditions that makes it easier for woman and families to decide to continue rather than terminate pregnancies.

Bach said he supports the bi-partisan immigration bill negotiated earlier this year in the Senate and backs aid for Ukraine and Israel.

The biggest issue I see is that the ultra wealthy are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer, Bach said. We have to address that. No one piece of legislation is going to fix that. We have to lift everyone up. Its a long process but it has to be done.

Dziados, 43, retired late last year after a more than two-decade career in the U.S. Army. He served multiple deployments to Iraq, served on staff for the under secretary of Defense and for the last year as a member of the U.S. Space Force staff. A native of Indiana County, Dziados returned to Southwestern Pennsylvania earlier this year after he decided to run for Congress.

He said his political aspirations fomented following the Jan. 6, 2021 storming of the Capitol.

Guy Rescenthaler voted not to certify the election, and not recognize what the voters wanted in Pennsylvania. It was a call to action, Dziados said. I absolutely wanted to come back home and make Congress my full-time job.

He said he his is a full-throated supporter of President Joe Bidens agenda, is pro-choice, favors increasing security along the U.S. southern border and backs financial aide for Ukraine and Israel.

Dziados said he is positioned to run a successful campaign against Rescenthaler this fall.

Both he and Bach would enter the fall race at a significant financial deficit with the incumbent. According to federal campaign figures, Rescenthaler had raised more than $1.3 million for his re-election campaign heading into this year. Bachs campaign listed just more than $2,000 in the bank and while Dziados had yet to file a campaign finance statement.

Dziados said the race will be a referendum Reschenthalers conservative politics.

I think the country wants to get through this period, Dziados said. There are a lot of moderates who remember Jan. 6. They want a steady hand.

Rich Cholodofsky is a TribLive reporter covering Westmoreland County government, politics and courts. He can be reached at rcholodofsky@triblive.com.

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Democrats Bach, Dziados seek opportunity for fall race to unseat Reschenthaler in Congress - TribLIVE