Ed Neilson
Candidate for State Representative, 174th District
Background
- Occupation
- State representative; electrician
- Lives in
- Philadelphia (Northeast)
- Campaign website
- edneilson.com
State representative for the 174th District since a 2015 special election and chair of the House Transportation Committee. A member of IBEW Local 98, he previously served on Philadelphia City Council and as executive deputy secretary of Labor and Industry under Gov. Ed Rendell.
Documented positions
Taxes & budget
Supported budget pension increases for retired police, firefighters, school employees and state workers.In office
ReportRep. Ed Neilson: Budget Delivers Long-Overdue Pension Relief for Retired Police Officers, Firefighters, Teachers, State EmployeesPublic statement · Office of Rep. Ed Neilson · Jul 12, 2026 · News release, July 12, 2026 · pahouse.com
“After retirement, they deserve to live with dignity and without potential financial burden.”
Public safety
Sponsored a bill letting cities set stronger penalties for dirt bikes and other off-road vehicles on city streets.In office
ReportHouse OKs two Neilson bills to promote safer roadsPublic statement · Office of Rep. Ed Neilson · Jun 10, 2026 · News release, June 10, 2026 · pahouse.com
“House Bill 2337 would give cities in Pennsylvania the option to enact local ordinances with stronger penalties for off-road vehicles used on city streets”
Economy & jobs
Backed a budget provision for a Keystone Opportunity Expansion Zone to draw shipbuilding to the Navy Yard.In office
ReportNeilson Secures Opportunity to Expand Shipbuilding and Create Family-Sustaining Jobs at the Philadelphia Navy YardPublic statement · Office of Rep. Ed Neilson · Jul 15, 2026 · News release, July 15, 2026 · pahouse.com
“This investment gives Philadelphia another competitive advantage in attracting shipbuilding and maritime businesses to the Navy Yard”
Roads & infrastructure
Backed 2026-27 budget funding for road and bridge repairs through the Motor License Fund without raising taxes.In office
ReportNeilson praises major 2026-27 Pa. budget investments in transportation sectorPublic statement · Office of Rep. Ed Neilson · Jul 22, 2026 · News release, July 22, 2026 · pahouse.com
“By using the Motor License Fund for much-needed maintenance on our bridges and roads, projects can be completed faster without hurting taxpayers”
Health & human services
Co-sponsors a bill setting water-management standards to prevent and track Legionnaires' disease.In office
ReportAdvocates speak out in support of Smith-Wade-El, Neilson's Legionnaires' disease legislationPublic statement · Office of Rep. Ed Neilson · Mar 25, 2026 · News release, March 25, 2026 · pahouse.com
“We must act now to spread awareness, improve the tracking of our water systems, and increase research into this life-threatening disease.”
Government & transparency
Supports stopping legislators' pay, with no retroactive back pay, when the state budget is late.
ReportVOTE411 Voter Guide: Pennsylvania State Representative District 174 — Ed NeilsonCandidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania (VOTE411) · Question: state budget process · onyourballot.vote411.org
“Legislators should not continue to receive pay when a full budget is not in place … that should include eliminating any retroactive back pay once an agreement is reached”
Supports making voting more accessible with strong safeguards, and envisions secure electronic voting with verified ID.
ReportVOTE411 Voter Guide: Pennsylvania State Representative District 174 — Ed NeilsonCandidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania (VOTE411) · Question: elections access and security · onyourballot.vote411.org
“I can envision secure electronic voting options supported by verified identification”
Courts & justice
Sponsored a bill to speed up the DUI ignition interlock license process once penalties are served.In office
ReportNeilson bill to streamline the ignition interlock program heads to Gov. ShapiroPublic statement · Office of Rep. Ed Neilson · Jul 13, 2026 · News release, July 13, 2026 · pahouse.com
“Once a person has served their time, it shouldn't be a complicated, time-consuming process to remove the ignition interlock device”
All sources (12)
- Candidates for Office — November 3, 2026 General Election, Philadelphia
Election filing · Philadelphia City Commissioners · vote.phila.gov
- Official Sample Ballot, November 3, 2026 General Election, Philadelphia ballot split 2-xx-174
Election filing · Philadelphia County Board of Elections (City Commissioners) · vote.phila.gov
- Candidates for Office (with sample ballots by split) — November 3, 2026 General Election, Philadelphia
Election filing · Philadelphia City Commissioners · vote.phila.gov
- Official Notice of Election for Military and Overseas Voters, Philadelphia County, 2026 General and Special Election
Election filing · Philadelphia County Board of Elections (City Commissioners) · Aug 14, 2026 · vote.phila.gov
- Rep. Neilson's Biography
Government record · Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus · pahouse.com
- VOTE411 Voter Guide: Pennsylvania State Representative District 174 — Ed Neilson
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
- Neilson praises major 2026-27 Pa. budget investments in transportation sector
Public statement · Office of Rep. Ed Neilson · Jul 22, 2026 · pahouse.com
- House OKs two Neilson bills to promote safer roads
Public statement · Office of Rep. Ed Neilson · Jun 10, 2026 · pahouse.com
- Neilson bill to streamline the ignition interlock program heads to Gov. Shapiro
Public statement · Office of Rep. Ed Neilson · Jul 13, 2026 · pahouse.com
- Neilson Secures Opportunity to Expand Shipbuilding and Create Family-Sustaining Jobs at the Philadelphia Navy Yard
Public statement · Office of Rep. Ed Neilson · Jul 15, 2026 · pahouse.com
- Rep. Ed Neilson: Budget Delivers Long-Overdue Pension Relief for Retired Police Officers, Firefighters, Teachers, State Employees
Public statement · Office of Rep. Ed Neilson · Jul 12, 2026 · pahouse.com
- Advocates speak out in support of Smith-Wade-El, Neilson's Legionnaires' disease legislation
Public statement · Office of Rep. Ed Neilson · Mar 25, 2026 · pahouse.com
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.