4 Dec
A special event in support of Mayor Adam R. Forgie, candidate for the Pennsylvania's 12th Congressional District.
Primary Election Day:
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
Rooted in Turtle Creek, Raised in the Mon Valley
Adam R. Forgie is a lifelong Mon Valley resident with deep roots in Turtle Creek. Born on June 17, 1977, at Magee-Women's Hospital in Pittsburgh, he is the fifth generation of Forgies to call Turtle Creek home, with family ties tracing back to Ireland and Scotland. Baptized at St. Colman Roman Catholic Church—where he also attended kindergarten—Adam grew up in the Electric Heights Housing Co-op, affectionately known as “the Green & Whites.”
His childhood was shaped by the tight-knit community, by long days spent playing baseball, street ice hockey, and fishing, and by a growing fascination with U.S. history that would eventually guide his life’s work.
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Forgie for Folks, Not Fame: A Life Defined by Family
Of all the roles Adam has held, none matters more to him than husband and father. Adam and Allison McNutt married in 2008 after meeting two years earlier at a summer tutoring program at Wilkins Elementary. Allison—also a Woodland Hills teacher—comes from a strong Turtle Creek family and holds degrees from Penn State and Duquesne University.
Together, Adam and Allison are raising their two children, Amelia and Samuel, both proud students in the Woodland Hills School District. Their home is full of life: a rescued German Shepherd named Rocky, four cats, and Sammy’s school of goldfish.
The Forgie family embraces adventure, from summers spent fishing at their Potter County camp to road trips across the eastern seaboard and the Gulf of Mexico. One of Adam’s most formative memories was a middle-school cross-country journey through Colorado, the Grand Canyon, the Petrified Forest, and Monument Valley—an experience that ignited his lifelong passion for American history and geography.
Forged by the Mon Valley: Growing Up Working Class
Adam’s upbringing in the post-steel era Mon Valley shaped his understanding of struggle, work, and resilience. When the Union Railroad laid off his father in the early 1980s, the family relied on federal food assistance to get by. Eventually, his father rebuilt stability as a clerk and union steward at the Turtle Creek Post Office—showing Adam firsthand the power of organized labor to rebuild working-class lives.
His mother cleaned homes to help keep the family afloat while ensuring Adam and his younger sister, Laura, were supported in school. Sharing a room with his sister for 11 years built a lasting bond grounded in love, respect, and endless laughter.
These early experiences instilled in Adam a lifelong commitment to working families and a deep belief that when communities struggle, government must never look away.
"TCKR Trafford Siding April 2018" by MDK33 is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/?ref=openverse.
A Passion for Learning and Leadership
Adam attended Woodland Hills public schools from first grade through his graduation with honors in 1995. At Slippery Rock University, he majored in Secondary Education: Social Studies, pledged Phi Kappa Theta fraternity, and served as vice president for three years. His involvement in student government helped him develop leadership and civic engagement skills early on.
To help pay for school, he worked summers for the Turtle Creek Street Department—an experience that deepened his appreciation for the hardworking men and women in labor, construction, and public works.
Adam completed his student teaching at Norwin School District before accepting his first long-term teaching position. He earned his master’s degree (Magna cum laude) from Walden University in 2005, strengthening his expertise in curriculum, instruction, and assessment.
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A Firefighter at Heart: Service That Never Stops
At age 18, Adam fulfilled a lifelong dream by joining the Turtle Creek Volunteer Fire Department, becoming its youngest member. As a volunteer firefighter, he responded to house fires, floods, car accidents, and emergencies throughout the Mon Valley. He embodied the region’s core values: show up, protect your neighbors, and stand together in times of crisis.
Whether working fireman’s fairs or providing mutual aid to surrounding communities, Adam learned that real leadership means being willing to do the hardest jobs alongside the people you serve.
Answering the Call: Teacher, Mentor, and Advocate
Adam began teaching in the Woodland Hills School District on September 10, 2001—one day before the 9/11 attacks. He taught U.S. History, Civics, and World History and spent that tragic morning with his students as the country changed forever. The loss felt across communities, especially when a colleague grieved two firefighter family members killed at the World Trade Center, shaped his commitment to service and empathy.
Adam became a driving force for educational advocacy:
Boards & Commitees
- Breaking Generational Cycles – Promoting career training and reentry programs that provide real second chances and reduce repeat offenses.
- Strengthening Mental Health Support – Ensuring individuals and families have access to meaningful mental health and substance use resources.
- Building Stronger Community Partnerships –Collaborating with unions, advocacy groups, and local organizations to create acourt system rooted in fairness and opportunity.
- Expanding Trauma-Informed Practices – Advocating for a court system that recognizes the impact of trauma and prioritizes healing, not just penalties.
Awards
- Recipient, Leadership in Advocacy Award
- Honored for Contributions to Juvenile Justice Reform
His classroom leadership is grounded in listening, fairness, and helping young people find their voice.
Sarra's contributions include:
- Advocating for trauma-informed practices across all court divisions.
- Breaking generational cycles of criminal court involvement with career training programs.
- Supporting clients and families with meaningful mental health resources.
- Strengthening community partnerships to promote fairness and opportunity.
Service in Uniform: A Family Tradition
Inspired by his father and grandfathers, Adam enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve in 2002. He trained at Fort Knox and served in the 444th Personnel Service Battalion, continuing to teach during his service.
His military career was cut short in 2006 after a medical discharge following a gout attack, but the values of service and duty never left him. Adam continues to advocate for veterans and military families, carrying the weight of unfinished service with humility and pride.
Forgie for a Future That Works: Leading in Public Office
In 2007, Adam transitioned from the classroom and firehouse to public office, running for Mayor of Turtle Creek. Elected at age 27, he became the borough’s youngest mayor since 1892.
Across two terms (and now serving again since 2021), Adam worked closely with Borough Council to prioritize teamwork, responsible development, and local problem-solving. His training at the Local Government Academy strengthened his leadership in policy, strategy, and practical governance.
He has also served as:
Boards & Commitees
- Vice President, Pennsylvania State Mayors Association (Southwest Region)
- Member, Mayor’s Charitable Fund (coalition of SWPA mayors)
- Longtime organizer of community cleanups and local volunteer efforts
Awards
- Recipient, Leadership in Advocacy Award
- Honored for Contributions to Juvenile Justice Reform
contributions include:
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Fighting for Working Families — Because He Is One of Us
Adam understands the struggles of working families because he has lived them. He knows how devastating layoffs can be, how hard families work to survive, and how critical it is to have strong unions, responsible development, and fully funded public schools.
He is not a career politician. He is a teacher, firefighter, veteran, mayor, union leader, and lifelong advocate for the people of Pennsylvania’s 12th District. He has fought for his students, his neighbors, and his fellow laborers—and now, he’s ready to fight for you.
Forgie is for ALL of us
Because in the Mon Valley, we don’t just talk about change, we make it happen.
Organizations and Associations
Public Service & Leadership
- Mayor, Turtle Creek - 2006–2013, 2021–present – Three-term mayor of the borough.
- Vice-President, Pennsylvania State Mayors Association Southwest Region - August 2008 – December 2013
- Member, Mayor’s Charitable Fund - Coalition of SWPA mayors (501c nonprofit) addressing community issues.
Education
- Eight Grade Social Studies Teacher, Woodland Hills School District - U.S. History & Student Government Sponsor, September 2001 – Present
- President, Woodland Hills Education Association - 2013–2019 – Chief negotiator of three bargaining agreements. Represented members with fidelity and fairness.
- Recipient, 2014 PSEA Human and Civil Rights Award For Educational Leadership
- Member, PSEA Advocate for Children & Education (ACE) - Grassroots group empowering teachers to advocate for education.
Military & Veterans
- Veteran, U.S. Army Reserve - January 2002 – April 2006, 444th Personnel Services Battalion
- Donor, Disabled American Veterans (DAV) - Organized a Veterans Day flag-posting event with students and teachers at Dickson STEAM Academy in Swissvale.
Public Safety
Volunteer Firefighter, Turtle Creek Fire Department - September 1995–2012 and 2020–2023; Served as Captain & Lieutenant
civic & community involvement
- Member, Ancient Order of Hibernians - Shamrock Degreed Member, Division 17 Monroeville, PA
- Parishioner, St. Colman’s Roman Catholic Church Turtle Creek, PA
- Member, Rotary Club of Turtle Creek
- Member, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful - Sponsored and organized cleanup events in Turtle Creek as mayor.
- Member, American Israel Political Action Committee (AIPAC) - Bipartisan support for U.S.–Israel relations.
- Member, Climate Power - Strategic communications on climate politics.
Upcoming Campaign Events
Please join us at one of the following campaign events.
Adam would love to see you and chat a bit.
DONATE NOW
Help Forgie Win!
Every donation, big or small, helps us bring Forgie's story to more voters.
Your contribution directly supports outreach, materials, and events that connect our campaign with the people of Pennsylvania's 12th Congressional District.
Together, we can ensure Forgie wins. We need him in Congress fighting for a future that works for everyone.