Dan Frankel
Candidate for State Representative, 23rd District
Background
- Occupation
- State representative
- Lives in
- Pittsburgh (Squirrel Hill)
- Campaign website
- pahouse.com
State representative for the 23rd District, first elected in 1998, and chairman of the House Health Committee; co-chair of the PA SAFE Caucus. Formerly an insurance executive.
Photo: Official portrait — Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Documented positions
Taxes & budget
Calls for new revenue, such as taxing skill games or legalizing cannabis, to fund transit, health care and child care.In office
ReportFrankel applauds budget agreement, says PA House should send it to governor while urging action on revenue policiesPublic statement · Office of Rep. Dan Frankel · Jul 12, 2026 · pahouse.com
“Now we need to finish the job by passing the revenue measures that will allow us to make the investments Pennsylvanians are counting on.”
Public safety
Calls for continued state funding of community violence intervention and prevention programs.In office
ReportPA Safe Caucus highlights violence intervention and prevention programsPublic statement · Office of Rep. Dan Frankel · Jun 9, 2026 · pahouse.com
“we must continue investing in these proven strategies and ensure VIP programs have the resources they need to succeed”
Backs state security grants for houses of worship and other nonprofits.In office
ReportFrankel applauds budget agreement, says PA House should send it to governor while urging action on revenue policiesPublic statement · Office of Rep. Dan Frankel · Jul 12, 2026 · pahouse.com
“I fight every year to ensure that community organizations have the support they need to keep Pennsylvanians safe”
Roads & infrastructure
Proposes an optional pay-per-mile road fee pilot for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.In office
Would be an opt-in alternative to the flat Road User Charge, capped at what the driver would otherwise owe.
ReportCo-Sponsorship Memo: Mileage-Based User Fee Pilot Program For EVs and PHEVsGovernment record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · Aug 24, 2026 · palegis.us
“My legislation would give EV and PHEV owners the choice to pay based on how much they actually drive”
Health & human services
Proposes requiring annual health-provider counseling for parents seeking school vaccine exemptions.In office
Also publicly criticized U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s vaccine messaging in January 2026.
ReportCo-Sponsorship Memo: Ensuring Parental Access to Current Vaccine Information ActGovernment record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · Jun 17, 2026 · palegis.us
“Our bill would require parents seeking a vaccine requirement exemption to receive annual counseling from a health care provider”
Frankel blasts RFK Jr. campaign of misinformation at Harrisburg rally, warns it puts Pennsylvania children at riskPublic statement · Office of Rep. Dan Frankel · Jan 21, 2026 · pahouse.com
“routine childhood immunizations are safe, effective and essential to preventing serious and sometimes deadly diseases”
Sponsored a bill extending the indoor smoking ban to most bars, clubs and casinos and to e-cigarettes.In office
H.B. 880 cleared the House Health Committee 22-4 in September 2025.
ReportFrankel bill to protect workers from secondhand smoke clears committee with bipartisan supportPublic statement · Office of Rep. Dan Frankel · Sep 30, 2025 · pahouse.com
“Democrats and Republicans agree that a blackjack dealer's lungs deserve the same protection as an office worker's”
Co-sponsors legislation to legalize, tax and regulate adult-use cannabis.In office
The House passed the adult-use bill in May 2025; it has not passed the Senate.
ReportPA House members call on Senate to stop obstructing much needed cannabis legalizationPublic statement · Office of Rep. Dan Frankel · Feb 4, 2026 · pahouse.com
“Once the Senate sends us a bill, we can negotiate a regulatory framework that puts Pennsylvania back in the driver's seat.”
Sponsored a House-passed bill letting terminally ill patients use medical cannabis in hospitals.In office
H.B. 2254 ('Ryan's Law') passed the House 174-27 on June 1, 2026.
ReportFrankel Bill to Give Terminally Ill Patients Access to Medical Cannabis in Hospitals Passes House with Bipartisan SupportPublic statement · Office of Rep. Dan Frankel · Jun 1, 2026 · pahouse.com
“give some very sick people the chance to spend their final days conscious, comfortable and connected to the people they love”
Government & transparency
Supports the Fairness Act to bar discrimination against LGBTQ+ Pennsylvanians.In office
ReportFrankel Hails Committee Approval of Anti-Hate Crime Bills Amid Rising ExtremismPublic statement · Office of Rep. Dan Frankel · Mar 10, 2026 · pahouse.com
“The Fairness Act helps ensure that opportunity in Pennsylvania is truly open to all”
Courts & justice
Sponsored bills to expand hate-crime protections and law enforcement tools against hate crimes.In office
H.B.s 1902 and 1905 cleared the House Judiciary Committee in March 2026.
ReportFrankel Hails Committee Approval of Anti-Hate Crime Bills Amid Rising ExtremismPublic statement · Office of Rep. Dan Frankel · Mar 10, 2026 · pahouse.com
“The people of Pennsylvania deserve laws that match the seriousness of the threats we face.”
All sources (13)
- 2026 General Election Candidates (Unofficial Candidates List, 08/27/2026), Allegheny County
Election filing · Allegheny County Division of Elections · Aug 27, 2026 · alleghenycounty.us
- Polling Place Addresses and Sample Ballots, Allegheny County - November 3, 2026 General Election
Election filing · Allegheny County Division of Elections · Sep 21, 2026 · apps.alleghenycounty.us
- 2026 General Election, State and Local Offices (contest list)
Election filing · Allegheny County Division of Elections · alleghenycounty.us
- Rep. Dan Frankel | Biography
Government record · Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus · pahouse.com
- Co-Sponsorship Memo: Ensuring Parental Access to Current Vaccine Information Act
Government record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · Jun 17, 2026 · palegis.us
- Frankel blasts RFK Jr. campaign of misinformation at Harrisburg rally, warns it puts Pennsylvania children at risk
Public statement · Office of Rep. Dan Frankel · Jan 21, 2026 · pahouse.com
- Frankel bill to protect workers from secondhand smoke clears committee with bipartisan support
Public statement · Office of Rep. Dan Frankel · Sep 30, 2025 · pahouse.com
- PA House members call on Senate to stop obstructing much needed cannabis legalization
Public statement · Office of Rep. Dan Frankel · Feb 4, 2026 · pahouse.com
- Frankel Bill to Give Terminally Ill Patients Access to Medical Cannabis in Hospitals Passes House with Bipartisan Support
Public statement · Office of Rep. Dan Frankel · Jun 1, 2026 · pahouse.com
- Frankel Hails Committee Approval of Anti-Hate Crime Bills Amid Rising Extremism
Public statement · Office of Rep. Dan Frankel · Mar 10, 2026 · pahouse.com
- PA Safe Caucus highlights violence intervention and prevention programs
Public statement · Office of Rep. Dan Frankel · Jun 9, 2026 · pahouse.com
- Frankel applauds budget agreement, says PA House should send it to governor while urging action on revenue policies
Public statement · Office of Rep. Dan Frankel · Jul 12, 2026 · pahouse.com
- Co-Sponsorship Memo: Mileage-Based User Fee Pilot Program For EVs and PHEVs
Government record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · Aug 24, 2026 · palegis.us
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.