# Who is Valerie Gaydos?

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, 44th District. Updated October 22, 2026.

Valerie Gaydos is a [state representative for Pennsylvania's 44th House District](https://www.palegis.us/house/members/bio/1831/rep-gaydos) in Allegheny County, first elected in 2018. She lives in Edgeworth. She is a registered Republican, but in 2024 she became the [first Republican legislator in Pennsylvania to affiliate](https://www.thecentersquare.com/pennsylvania/article_412812dc-3239-11ef-8943-673ce5c3a768.html) with Andrew Yang's Forward Party, which endorsed her for re-election.

### Key facts

- In June 2023, she stood behind Andrew Yang at a Capitol news conference launching the Forward Party in Pennsylvania.
- In June 2024, she became the first Republican legislator in Pennsylvania to affiliate with the Forward Party, and accepted its endorsement.
- Voted for HB 714, universal background checks. Gun Owners of America revoked its endorsement over the vote.
- Joined House Democrats to vote for all four bills writing Affordable Care Act protections into state law.
- Said abortions "should be rare, safe and legal."

### Timeline

- 2018: Elected to the state House.
- 2023: Votes for HB 714, universal background checks.
- June 21, 2023: Stands behind Andrew Yang at a Capitol news conference launching the Forward Party in Pennsylvania.
- January 2024: Gun Owners of America revokes its endorsement.
- June 24, 2024: Accepts the Forward Party's endorsement and becomes its first Republican legislator affiliate in Pennsylvania.
- October 2024: Writes in a candidate questionnaire that abortions "should be rare, safe and legal."
- March 2025: Joins House Democrats to vote for all four Affordable Care Act bills.

## What is the Forward Party?

The Forward Party is a national political party founded by Andrew Yang, a former Democratic presidential candidate, according to [The Center Square](https://www.thecentersquare.com/pennsylvania/article_412812dc-3239-11ef-8943-673ce5c3a768.html). Forward "affiliates" are elected officials who keep their Republican or Democratic registration but sign a pledge to govern by the Forward Party's platform.

## Is Valerie Gaydos in the Forward Party?

Yes. On June 21, 2023, Gaydos stood behind Yang at a Capitol news conference where two state senators announced they were affiliating with the Forward Party ([Pittsburgh Post-Gazette](https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2023/06/21/andrew-yang-forward-party-pennsylvania-lawmakers/stories/202306210098), [City & State PA](https://cityandstatepa.com/politics/2023/06/state-lawmakers-join-forces-forward-party/387752)).

A year later, on June 24, 2024, she accepted the Forward Party's endorsement at a news conference in Leetsdale. That made her the first Republican legislator in Pennsylvania to affiliate with the party, and the first member of the state House ([The Center Square](https://www.thecentersquare.com/pennsylvania/article_412812dc-3239-11ef-8943-673ce5c3a768.html); [Forward Party release](https://www.forwardparty.com/media/press_release/press-release-district-44-representative-valerie-gaydos-r-accepts-endorsement-of-the-forward-party/)). By signing on, she pledged to govern by the Forward Party's platform.

In the Forward Party's [announcement](https://www.forwardparty.com/media/press_release/press-release-district-44-representative-valerie-gaydos-r-accepts-endorsement-of-the-forward-party/), Yang said Pennsylvania's history "leads to fantastic public servants arising from the state, and Representative Gaydos is no exception." He said Forward was "proud to support her for re-election and as a Forward Party affiliate." Gaydos said she was "honored to be identified by Andrew Yang as an elected official who lives up to these values."

## How did Valerie Gaydos vote on background checks?

Gaydos voted for [HB 714](https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2023/hb714), a universal background check bill, [one of a handful of House Republicans](https://www.palegis.us/house/roll-calls/summary?sessYr=2023&sessInd=0&rcNum=96) to do so. Universal background checks would require a background check for nearly every gun sale, including many private sales between individuals. The [Greensburg Tribune-Review](https://web.archive.org/web/20240928054217/https://triblive.com/local/proposed-state-legislation-over-guns-at-airports-on-hold-as-talks-with-law-enforcement-continues/) reported that she "crossed party lines to vote for the bill closing the gun-show loophole."

In January 2024, [Gun Owners of America revoked its endorsement](https://www.gunowners.org/pa-rep-valerie-gaydos-betrays-gun-owners/), saying she "betrayed gun owners." The group said she voted for "HB 714, Universal Background Check (UBC) gun registration."

## How did Valerie Gaydos vote on Obamacare?

In March 2025, Gaydos was one of three Allegheny County Republicans who joined House Democrats to vote for all four bills writing Affordable Care Act protections into Pennsylvania law, according to the [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette](https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2025/03/25/pennsylvania-shapiro-legislature-affordable-care-act/stories/202503250080) and [WESA](https://www.wesanews.org/health-science-tech/2025-03-26/pennsylvania-house-bills-enshrine-affordable-care-act-protections).

According to the Post-Gazette, the four-bill package, promoted by House Democrats, would:

- prevent insurers from capping coverage for essential benefits;
- let parents keep children on their policies until age 26;
- protect coverage for pre-existing conditions; and
- require insurers to cover preventive care without cost-sharing.

## What is Valerie Gaydos's position on abortion?

In a 2024 candidate questionnaire, Gaydos wrote, "Abortions should be rare, safe and legal" ([WESA](https://www.wesanews.org/wesa-voter-guide/2024-election/pa-state-house-44-haas-gaydos)). She added, "Medical decisions should be between a doctor and patient."

"Safe, legal and rare" is a phrase popularized by President Bill Clinton in the 1990s.

### Quick answers

- Is Valerie Gaydos a Republican?: She is registered as a Republican and is a Forward Party affiliate.
- Did Valerie Gaydos vote for universal background checks?: Yes. She voted for HB 714.
- Who endorsed Valerie Gaydos?: The Forward Party endorsed her in 2024. Gun Owners of America revoked its endorsement in January 2024.

### Sources

- [Pennsylvania House of Representatives: Rep. Valerie Gaydos](https://www.palegis.us/house/members/bio/1831/rep-gaydos)
- [The Center Square (June 2024): Gaydos and the Forward Party](https://www.thecentersquare.com/pennsylvania/article_412812dc-3239-11ef-8943-673ce5c3a768.html)
- [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (June 21, 2023): Andrew Yang, Forward Party and Pa. lawmakers](https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2023/06/21/andrew-yang-forward-party-pennsylvania-lawmakers/stories/202306210098)
- [City & State PA (June 2023): State lawmakers join forces with Forward Party](https://cityandstatepa.com/politics/2023/06/state-lawmakers-join-forces-forward-party/387752)
- [Forward Party press release: Rep. Valerie Gaydos accepts endorsement](https://www.forwardparty.com/media/press_release/press-release-district-44-representative-valerie-gaydos-r-accepts-endorsement-of-the-forward-party/)
- [Pennsylvania General Assembly: HB 714 (2023–24)](https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2023/hb714)
- [Pennsylvania House roll call 96 (May 22, 2023): HB 714 final passage](https://www.palegis.us/house/roll-calls/summary?sessYr=2023&sessInd=0&rcNum=96)
- [Greensburg Tribune-Review (May 6, 2024), archived copy](https://web.archive.org/web/20240928054217/https://triblive.com/local/proposed-state-legislation-over-guns-at-airports-on-hold-as-talks-with-law-enforcement-continues/)
- [Gun Owners of America: PA Rep. Valerie Gaydos betrays gun owners](https://www.gunowners.org/pa-rep-valerie-gaydos-betrays-gun-owners/)
- [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (March 25, 2025): Affordable Care Act bills](https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2025/03/25/pennsylvania-shapiro-legislature-affordable-care-act/stories/202503250080)
- [WESA (March 26, 2025): Pa. House bills enshrine Affordable Care Act protections](https://www.wesanews.org/health-science-tech/2025-03-26/pennsylvania-house-bills-enshrine-affordable-care-act-protections)
- [WESA voter guide (Oct. 7, 2024): PA State House 44th District candidate questionnaire](https://www.wesanews.org/wesa-voter-guide/2024-election/pa-state-house-44-haas-gaydos)

Paid for by Common Values PA. Last updated October 22, 2026.