Irwin worked as a legislative aide for Senator
Arlen Specter from 1982 to 1986. While working for Specter, Irwin took a leading role in helping to establish the
Pittsburgh Light Rail and the
Martin Luther King Jr. East Busway. Following his work with Specter, Irwin moved to Pittsburgh, to live with his wife, a Pittsburgh-native. He worked closely with the
North American Securities Administrators Association to translate the
Dodd-Frank Act to the state level. Irwin has long been an active member of the Allegheny County Democratic Committee and was the campaign manager four times for the Democratic nominees running for
Attorney General of Pennsylvania.
2022 congressional campaign Irwin announced his candidacy for
Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district in November 2021. Congressman
Mike Doyle had previously announced his retirement and went on to endorse Irwin's candidacy in March 2022. Irwin's candidacy was also endorsed by former Pittsburgh Mayor
Bill Peduto, Rendell and
Democratic Majority for Israel. The initial votes, which were primarily mail-in ballots, favored Irwin and he held a commanding lead on much of election night. However, his lead shrank when in-person votes were tabulated and he lost to state representative
Summer Lee by fewer than 750 votes. ==Personal life==