Representative Donald Allen Bailey

Donald Allen Bailey (July 21, 1945 – March 9, 2020) was an American lawyer and Democratic politician from Pennsylvania who served two terms as a United States Representative from 1979 to 1983 and later as Auditor General of Pennsylvania from 1985 to 1989. Over the course of his public career, he became known for his work in state and federal office and for his subsequent campaigns for higher statewide office, including bids for the Democratic nominations for United States Senate and Governor of Pennsylvania.

Bailey was born on July 21, 1945, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Raised in western Pennsylvania, he came of age during a period of postwar economic and social change that would later shape his political outlook and his focus on the needs of working- and middle-class communities in the region. His early life in and around Pittsburgh placed him in close proximity to the industrial and suburban areas he would later represent in Congress.

Bailey pursued higher education in Pennsylvania and went on to study law, preparing for a career as an attorney. After completing his legal education and being admitted to the bar, he established himself as a practicing lawyer. His legal training and experience provided the foundation for his later work in public office, particularly in roles that required oversight, analysis of public expenditures, and attention to statutory and constitutional issues.

Bailey entered electoral politics as a member of the Democratic Party and won election to the United States House of Representatives from Pennsylvania’s 21st Congressional District in 1978. He took office on January 3, 1979, and served in Congress until January 3, 1983. His district (PA‑21) included all of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, along with a sliver of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, prior to the 1981 redistricting. During his two terms in the House of Representatives, he participated in the legislative process at a time of significant national developments, including economic challenges, debates over federal spending, and shifting foreign policy priorities. As a member of the House, he represented the interests of his constituents in western Pennsylvania, contributing to committee work, floor debates, and the broader democratic process.

After leaving Congress in 1983, Bailey continued his public service at the state level. He was elected Auditor General of Pennsylvania and served in that statewide office from 1985 to 1989. In this capacity, he was responsible for auditing the use of public funds, reviewing the financial practices of state agencies, and promoting accountability in government operations. His tenure as Auditor General drew on his legal background and congressional experience, and it placed him in a prominent role in Pennsylvania’s fiscal oversight and public administration.

Bailey sought to extend his political career through campaigns for higher office. He became a candidate for the Democratic nomination for the United States Senate from Pennsylvania, deciding to challenge incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Arlen Specter. In the Democratic primary, he faced U.S. Representative Bob Edgar and lost a closely contested race, 47 percent to 45 percent. Bailey also pursued the Democratic nomination for Governor of Pennsylvania, further underscoring his ambition to shape statewide policy and leadership, although he was not successful in securing that nomination.

In his later years, Bailey remained identified with the legal profession and with his record of public service. His career drew attention from legal and political publications, including coverage in outlets such as Lawyers Weekly and listings in political reference works like The Political Graveyard. His time in Congress and in statewide office, as well as his appearances on public affairs programs such as C‑SPAN, reflected a public life centered on law, governance, and the representation of Pennsylvania’s citizens. Donald Allen Bailey died on March 9, 2020, closing a career that spanned local legal practice, federal legislative service, and statewide executive oversight.