Description of office: The General Assembly is the legislative branch of government in Pennsylvania. It is composed of two houses: the Senate is the upper house, and the House of Representatives is the lower house. A majority vote in both houses is necessary to pass a law. The PA House of Representatives consists of 203 members representing one district each, with an equal number of constituents. Representatives must be at least 21 years old, have been a citizen and a resident of the state four years and a resident of their respective districts one year before their election, and shall reside in their respective districts during their terms of service. The House develops budget packages, makes taxation decisions, allocates spending, and passes laws (including redistricting in collaboration with the Senate). The House also has the exclusive authority to impeach public officials. Representatives also serve on various policy committees that may propose legislation.Term: 2 yearsSalary: $113,591Vote for ONE.Note: On Democratic and Republican primary ballots, voters will also choose members of the State and County Committees. We do not list these candidates on Vote411. For information on these candidates, we suggest you contact your local Democratic or Republican Party committee.
County
Lehigh
Occupation
State Representative, 132nd Legislative District (2013 - Present)
Education
BA, Muhlenberg College (Political Science & Psychology), MA, Lehigh University (Political Science)
Qualifications
State Representative (2013-Present), Majority Whip (2024-Present), Chair & Founder of House Mental Health Caucus, former member, Allentown City Council
Reducing costs.
First, housing and rent costs are far too high. The Governor’s Housing Action Plan represents a real effort to increase supply and reduce costs. We need to make it easier to build more housing, enhance the existing housing stock, and reduce unnecessary governmental regulations.
Electricity prices are also skyrocketing. We need to build more generation, enact stronger price controls, and invest in green energy to both increase supply and protect our environment.
We should examine ways to generate more revenue that don’t burden the vast majority of Pennsylvanians. This includes regulating and taxing skill games, legalizing adult-use marijuana, raising the minimum wage and increasing state funding for education.
Enact in-person early voting weeks before an election, automatic voter registration, same day voter registration, and a simplification of the vote by mail process. I also support open primaries to allow independent and unaffiliated voters to vote in a major party primary.
The process has to begin earlier. Negotiations need to begin immediately, not close to the budget deadline. That changed this year, and I think that an earlier start will make an on-time budget more achievable.
That being said, a state budget process only works if you have honest brokers who want to genuinely negotiate and are capable of doing so. In early July, House Democrats passed a budget that was virtually identical to the one we passed in November. It took Senate Republicans months to figure out what policies they could vote on in order to enact a budget. That’s frustrating. If one party doesn’t know what it wants, I’m not sure what the other two parties who are ready to negotiate can do.
Yes. How we regulate data centers and ensure their appropriate development will be critical to protecting our communities over the next few years.
I believe that Governor Shapiro has the right approach when it comes to data centers. If they are coming – and they are – then we need to make sure they are built the right way. That means maximizing transparency, enacting the strictest environmental protections, requiring developers to generate their own electricity, and limiting water use. It also means giving the Department of Environmental Protection the enforcement tools and staff necessary to enact these regulations.
County
Lehigh
Occupation
Education and Prevention Specialist
Education
Parkland High School graduate; University of Delaware graduate
Qualifications
Education & Prevention Specialist working with students, families, teachers, and administrators in Lehigh County schools. Board Member, Lehigh County Drug & Alcohol. Raised in South Whitehall, Parkland alum, parent of three in district, and part of a family business in the Lehigh Valley since 1988.
The most pressing issues facing our district are rising costs, ensuring our schools stay focused on student success and accountability, and managing development so it reflects community priorities. As a parent of three in Parkland schools and someone who works in our local schools, I see firsthand how these challenges impact families.
In Harrisburg, I will focus on practical solutions to lower costs through responsible budgeting and better use of state resources, while supporting policies that help stabilize energy, housing, and everyday expenses. I will also advocate for balanced, community-informed development that protects our neighborhoods and quality of life—while ensuring our community has a real voice in the process.
Pennsylvania voters deserve elections that are secure, accessible, and trusted. I support maintaining strong safeguards while ensuring every eligible voter can participate. Confidence in our democratic process depends on systems that are fair, transparent, and consistently applied. I support common-sense measures that protect the integrity of every vote while ensuring all eligible voters can take part with confidence.
Pennsylvania’s budget process should be transparent, responsible, and completed on time. Delays create uncertainty for schools, local governments, and taxpayers. I support a disciplined approach that sets clear priorities, ensures responsible spending, and increases transparency so the public understands how decisions are made. Our budget should reflect the needs of our communities while remaining accountable to taxpayers.
We must balance economic growth with protecting our communities and local resources. While data centers can bring investment, they also place demands on energy, water, and local infrastructure. As proposals increase in and around residential areas, it is important that impacts on surrounding communities are carefully considered. I believe state policy should provide clear standards to address these concerns while respecting local land-use authority. Local municipalities must have a strong voice in development decisions, and state policy should support, not override, their role under the Municipal Planning Code.
