The Gist
State Senator, 48th District
Photo of Chris Gebhard
Chris GebhardOfficial portrait — PA Senate Republican Caucus

Chris Gebhard

Candidate for State Senator, 48th District

RepublicanIncumbent

Background

Occupation
State senator; insurance business owner
Lives in
North Cornwall Township, Lebanon County
Campaign website
gebhardforsenate.com

State senator for the 48th District since winning a May 2021 special election; he chairs the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee. A Vanderbilt University graduate, he owns Hoaster Gebhard & Co., an insurance and risk management firm in Lebanon.

Report

Photo: Official portrait — PA Senate Republican Caucus

Documented positions

Taxes & budget

  • Sponsored a constitutional amendment (SB 929) to bar school districts from collecting property taxes from July 2029.In office

    The General Assembly would have to find other ways to fund schools; voters would decide after passage in two consecutive sessions.

    Gebhard, Mastriano Introduce Constitutional Amendment to Eliminate School Property Taxes

    Public statement · Office of Sen. Chris Gebhard · Jul 15, 2025 · senatorgebhard.com

    “would prohibit school districts from collecting property taxes beginning on July 1, 2029 … It is outrageous and unacceptable that property taxes are causing Pennsylvanians to lose their homes”
    Report

  • Supported the 2026-27 state budget, citing a spending increase of about 1.4% and no new tax hikes.In office

    Gebhard Supports Fiscally Responsible Budget that Reins in Shapiro Spending

    Public statement · Office of Sen. Chris Gebhard · Jul 12, 2026 · senatorgebhard.com

    “This budget only increases spending by approximately 1.4%, well below the 3.9% rate of annual inflation”
    Report

Public safety

Economy & jobs

Roads & infrastructure

Environment & parks

  • Co-sponsoring a bill to let municipalities pause data center applications while they update zoning rules.In office

    He also says he is co-sponsoring a bill to end the data center equipment sales-tax exemption and redirect the revenue to cut the gas tax.

    Data Centers — Senator Gebhard

    Public statement · Office of Sen. Chris Gebhard · Apr 21, 2026 · senatorgebhard.com

    “co-sponsoring legislation to give municipalities the option to place a moratorium on data center applications”
    Report

Health & human services

  • Sponsored a bipartisan bill requiring banks to report suspected elder financial abuse and to hold suspicious payments.In office

    Senate Committee Advances Gebhard Bill to Protect Seniors from Financial Exploitation

    Public statement · Office of Sen. Chris Gebhard · Jul 8, 2026 · senatorgebhard.com

    “would require financial institutions to report on suspected cases of elder financial abuse and empower the institutions to hold suspicious financial transactions”
    Report

  • Supports ending state Medicaid and CHIP funding for gender-transition procedures for minors.In office

    The bill (SB 1321, with Sen. Cris Dush) passed the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee, which Gebhard chairs, in May 2026.

    Measure to End State Funding for Gender Transition of Minors Passes Committee

    Public statement · Office of Sen. Chris Gebhard · May 6, 2026 · senatorgebhard.com

    “This legislation ensures Pennsylvania taxpayer dollars are not used to fund these procedures.”
    Report

Other issues in this race

Other candidates in this race addressed these topics. We found no documented position from Chris Gebhard on them.

  • EducationNo documented position found.
  • Government & transparencyNo documented position found.

All sources (19)

Positions are summarized from the sources listed and are not inferred from party affiliation. Items marked “Provided by” were published by the candidate's verified campaign or party office under our campaign content standards. See something wrong? Use the Report link beside it, or contact us.