PA-14: Veteran and former FBI agent to challenge Reschenthaler

Alan Bradstock, a Desert Storm veteran and retired FBI agent, has declared his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for Pennsylvania’s 14th Congressional District seat, presently held by Republican Guy Reschenthaler.

The native of Donora is a graduate of Washington & Jefferson College and was commissioned as a U.S. Army aviation officer after graduation. During his service, he earned a Master’s degree in International Relations from Troy (Ala.) University.

After his military career, Bradstock joined the FBI as a special agent. Rising through the bureau, he became a supervisor in the Counterterrorism Division. He has also served as Deputy Legal Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa, working closely with Canadian law enforcement and intelligence agencies.

Bradstock’s campaign website lists his campaign priorities as economic security; universal healthcare; removing money from politics; restoring constitutional norms and rule of law; real government efficiency; restoring character and competence to government; and reducing partisan extremism.

“We must restore government to the hands of the people rather than powerful special interests,” he said. “For too long, wealthy donors and corporate lobbyists have held outsized influence over policy decisions, drowning out the voices of ordinary citizens. I call for stronger campaign finance laws, greater transparency in political donations, and limits on the power of dark money groups. By reducing the sway of big money, the goal is to ensure that elected officials answer to voters—not to the highest bidder.”

Bradstock also called out President Donald Trump, saying he has abused his power in the White House.

“Donald Trump’s second term has made it clear: when leaders trample constitutional norms, our democracy itself is at risk. He’s pushed the limits of presidential power, attacked independent institutions, and treated the rule of law as optional. That’s not leadership – it’s abuse of power. Our Constitution was designed to prevent exactly this kind of unchecked authority, and we must fight to restore the guardrails that protect our freedoms.”

Reschenthaler earned his fourth term in Congress with a 34-point victory during the 2024 election cycle. The U.S. Navy veteran served as the Chief Deputy Whip for the Republican caucus in the 119th Congress.

The 14th Congressional District is comprised of Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Somerset, Washington and Westmoreland Counties. Republicans make up 53 percent of the voting populace with Democrats at just 34 percent.

Steve Ulrich is the managing editor of PoliticsPA, where this article first appeared.