Martell Covington Explained

Martell Covington
State House:Pennsylvania
District:24th
Predecessor:Ed Gainey
Successor:La'Tasha Mayes
Birth Place:Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Party:Democratic
Education:Howard University (BBA)

Martell Covington is an American politician serving as a Democratic member in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing the 24th district in Allegheny County. He won a 2022 special election to succeed Ed Gainey, who was elected Mayor of Pittsburgh in 2021.[1]

Early life and education

Covington is from Homewood, a neighborhood of Pittsburgh.[2] For more than 12 years, he worked in various roles for the Community Empowerment Association, a social service organization on the east side of Pittsburgh, eventually becoming the Assistant Director of Youth & Family Services. He is currently chair of its board of directors. Covington served as a legislative aide to state Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, where he worked on critical developments for the Pittsburgh region, including serving as a leadership team member for the Oakland Business Improvement District’s Strategic Plan and a technical advisor for the Oakland Plan. In 2021, he was elected to serve as Vice President for the Young Democrats of Allegheny County. Covington also is part of the Black Equity Coalition's Policy Team. He graduated from Central Catholic High School in Pittsburgh and Howard University.[3]

Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Covington worked as an aide to Jay Costa, a member of the Pennsylvania Senate. The Allegheny County Democratic Committee nominated Covington for an April 2022 special election to succeed Ed Gainey in the Pennsylvania House, he won with .[4] He was sworn in on April 26, 2022.[5] He lost renomination to La'Tasha Mayes in the Democratic primary on May 17, 2022.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Martell Covington, Aerion Abney poised to replace Ed Gainey, Jake Wheatley in state legislature. Julia. Felton. April 5, 2022. Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
  2. Web site: Costa aide, lifelong Homewood resident Martell Covington to run for Gainey’s state House seat. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  3. Web site: Martell Covington launches bid for Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey's former state House seat. Julia. Felton. January 12, 2022. TribLIVE.com.
  4. Web site: Martell Covington wins District 24 nominating session, favored to finish out state House term. Deto. Ryan. February 5, 2022. May 19, 2022. Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
  5. Web site: Covington takes oath for state representative. April 26, 2022. May 19, 2022. Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
  6. Web site: Felton . Julia . May 18, 2022 . La'Tasha Mayes poised to win Democratic nomination in 24th State House District . May 19, 2022 . Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.