Jeff Habay

In 1994, Habay ran for the 30th legislative district in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, a seat in Pittsburgh's northern suburbs that had been held by Republican Rick Cessar for 24 years.[9] His opponent in the Republican primary was Daniel L. Anderson, who had represented the neighboring 31st legislative district from 1990 until it was moved to Bucks County during the 1992 legislative redistricting.[10] Observers noted strong similarities between the candidates, as both were under 30 years old and ran on platforms of reducing taxes, privatizing the Pennsylvania liquor store system, and legislative term limits.[9] In the end, Habay, who was endorsed by the Fox Chapel and O'Hara Republican committees, defeated Anderson by a margin of 3980 to 2825.[9][11]

In the general election Habay faced Democrat Mark F. Hannan, a union carpenter and Shaler Township, Pennsylvania commissioner. The candidates clashed on issues of the recent 1% sales tax increase in Allegheny County and on the expansion of riverboat gambling.[12] Hannan declined campaign assistance from the Harrisburg-based House Democratic Campaign Committee because "[t]hey want you to jump through their hoops, and then when you get to Harrisburg, you owe them."[12] Habay's candidacy was assisted by Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge and the campaign spent $900 a week to show a 30-second advertisement on major cable networks, a large expenditure for a State House election at that time.[10][12] Habay won the endorsement of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.[13] In spite of a Democratic registration edge, Habay won by a margin of 13,146 to 11,079, thereby helping his party secure a 1-seat majority in House for the first time in 12 years.[10][14][15]

In 1996, Habay again faced Daniel L. Anderson for the Republican nomination in the 30th legislative district.

Habay won the nomination in a landslide winning all 61 district polling locations and faced Democrat Tom Sunday, a former Shaler Township Commissioner and sporting goods store owner, in the general election.[16] During the campaign, Sunday said that Habay's opposition to a proposed gasoline tax had resulted in delays in a construction project to straighten the Mae West Bend on Pennsylvania Route 8. Habay won the general election, defeating Sunday by a margin of 19,658 to 9,009.[17] again winning all 61 district polling locations.

In 1998, Anderson again challenged Habay for the Republican nomination for the 30th legislative district in a race. Habay again won the primary. This time defeating Anderson with 81.2% of the vote and had token opposition from Tom Sunday in the general election.[18] Habay defeated Sunday by a 75% to 25% margin.

During his tenure, Habay became known for his "exuberance and willingness to work with both parties" as well as "natural skill" as a campaigner.[3] He was named Deputy Whip in the Republican caucus. In 2000 and again in 2004, Habay earned both Major Party Nominations to win both elections unopposed. In 2004, Habay received more votes than any of the other 202 State Representatives in Pennsylvania. After drafting legislation signed into law by Governor Tom Ridge to create the Allegheny County Airport Authority, Habay was appointed as a Founding Executive Board Member of the Authority. During his tenure on the Board, Pittsburgh International Airport went on to win two distinguished J.D. Power Awards as "World's Best Managed Airport" and "The World's Overall Best Airport."