Chris Rieger

CRANBERRY TWP — Butler County resident Chris Rieger has joined the race for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Rieger, an attorney, announced his candidacy to be the Democratic nominee for the state's Third Congressional District, which includes all of Butler County.

“I have always believed in the value of public service,” Rieger said in a news release. “I believe its fundamental purpose is to help people, plain and simple.”

Rieger lives in Cranberry Township, and his law practice is in Pittsburgh. He specializes in consumer protection matters and bankruptcy law. He aims to carry his economic experience to his campaign.

“We see broken promises that affect millions of American workers, (including) stripping away consumer and worker protections,” Rieger said.

Health care is another point of emphasis. Rieger said Congress needs to address that there are more than 20 million Americans without health care. He said one of the problems lies with politicians themselves.

“(Politicians) become increasingly inaccessible,” he said. “They often times don't listen to concerns with their constituents.”

Rieger will vie for the nomination against Brian Skibo, a Hermitage resident who announced his candidacy earlier this month. Whoever wins will face Republican incumbent Mike Kelly.

Rieger noted that Kelly's support for President Donald Trump's failed health care bill may find Kelly vulnerable.

“Many congressmen attached their name to that bill, which would have stripped coverage away from millions of Americans,” he said. “Many of whom rely on Medicaid funding, who are children, disadvantaged people, seniors and disabled individuals.”

However, Rieger stressed that he wants to run a positive campaign.

“We didn't want to run an anti-Kelly or anti-Trump campaign,” he said. “We did want to stand for something, and I think that's what this campaign is trying to be about.”

If Rieger wins, it will be his first time holding public office. He ran for a seat in District 12 of the state House of Representatives in 2016, but lost to Republican incumbent Daryl Metcalfe.