U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio and challenger Tony Guy debate Iran, data centers and more
Democratic Congressman Chris Deluzio and Republican challenger Tony Guy went head to head in the KDKA-TV studio on Tuesday.
The recorded hourlong debate gave voters in the 17th Congressional District, which covers Beaver County and part of Allegheny County, a chance to hear from Deluzio and Guy before Election Day on Nov. 3.
The candidates weighed in on a number of issues, including data centers, affordability in western Pennsylvania, and the war in Iran.
"Republicans and Donald Trump, who my opponent is a great worshipper of, passed the One Big Beautiful, and it gave tax breaks to data center developers. They should not have done that. I opposed giving them tax breaks. We should repeal it, and we need to have AI safety," Deluzio said.
"I never said that we should give tax breaks to these mega corporations who are developing these data centers. Without question, they've got deep pockets. They should not only supply what needs to be done to build these data centers, but supply enough energy to run them, as well as adding additional energy to the grid," Guy said.
Deluzio and Guy also addressed affordability in western Pennsylvania, with both saying they're in favor of ending the war in Iran.
"I'll give you three things we can do right now. Number one, put a stop to the Iran war that the Republicans continue to cheerlead under Donald Trump. It has driven up the cost of gasoline, diesel prices, fertilizer, you name it," said Deluzio.
"I couldn't agree more about the Iran war. I am not a cheerleader for the Iran war. We need to end it and end it soon. Get energy prices back down into check, and that'll help drive the cost of everything back down," said Guy.
They also took aim at each other's political party affiliations.
"All the Democratic Socialists, he doesn't call them out. He votes with them as a caucus, and these are the people who he associates with, and these are the bills and the agendas that they are pushing that he is in lockstep with," Guy said.
"Let's talk about who my opponent associates with. This is a guy who referred to the January 6th cop-beaters and rioters — the January 6th cop-beaters and rioters — as a bunch of grandmothers walking into an open public building. These are cop-beaters who belong in prison, not walking around with pardons," Deluzio said.
Guy and Deluzio also answered questions about AI safety, ICE, Social Security, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, and more. Watch the full debate here.
Deluzio ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. The Iraq War veteran was first elected in 2022 and is currently serving his second term. During Pittsburgh's Labor Day Parade this year, he said he was thinking about running against Sen. John Fetterman in the 2028 Democratic primary, though he was "most focused on winning the midterms."
Guy, who has served as the Beaver County sheriff since 2016, defeated business owner Jesse James Vodvarka to secure the Republican nomination. Before he was elected sheriff, he spent 26 years with the Pennsylvania State Police.
