The Gist
State Representative, 145th District
Photo of Craig Staats
Craig StaatsOfficial portrait — PA House Republican Caucus

Craig Staats

Candidate for State Representative, 145th District

RepublicanIncumbent

Background

Occupation
State representative
Lives in
Richland Township
Campaign website
staatsforstaterep.com

State representative for the 145th District since 2015 and Republican chair of the House Intergovernmental Affairs and Operations Committee. A Navy veteran with decades in the restaurant industry, he previously chaired the Richland Township Board of Supervisors.

Report

Photo: Official portrait — PA House Republican Caucus

Documented positions

Taxes & budget

Education

Roads & infrastructure

  • Says data center land use decisions belong with local officials, and projects must meet their own needs.

    Pennsylvania State Representative District 145 — VOTE411 Voter Guide

    Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania (VOTE411) · Data centers · onyourballot.vote411.org

    “Local officials are in the best position to decide what fits their community.”
    Report

Environment & parks

  • Supported ending Pennsylvania's participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

    Craig Staats for State Representative

    Campaign website · Staats for State Rep · Lowering Everyday Costs for Hardworking Families · staatsforstaterep.com

    “ended participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, preventing an energy tax that would have driven up electricity and heating costs”
    Report

Health & human services

  • Raised privacy and parental-rights concerns about proposed Department of Health disease rules.In office

    Staats Raises Concerns with Proposed Department of Health Regulations

    Public statement · Office of Rep. Craig Staats · Sep 23, 2026 · repstaats.com

    “There are some serious questions here about privacy, parental rights and just how much authority we are giving a state agency”
    Report

Government & transparency

  • Supports requiring identification to vote.

    Pennsylvania State Representative District 145 — VOTE411 Voter Guide

    Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania (VOTE411) · Elections · onyourballot.vote411.org

    “I support requiring identification to vote because it is a reasonable step that helps verify eligibility and strengthens trust in the outcome.”
    Report

Courts & justice

Other issues in this race

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

  • Public safetyNo documented position found.
  • HousingNo documented position found.
  • Economy & jobsNo documented position found.

All sources (15)

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.