Edward Ritter
Candidate for State Representative, 47th District
Background
- Occupation
- Retired professional engineer
- Campaign website
- plaidsylvania.com
Retired professional engineer with more than 40 years in industrial energy systems, food manufacturing, sustainability and construction quality control. He was the Democratic nominee for the 47th District in 2024, losing to Joe D'Orsie.
Photo: Campaign photo — submitted to VOTE411 (League of Women Voters)
Documented positions
Taxes & budget
Calls for property tax relief for retirees living on fixed incomes.
ReportPennsylvania State Representative District 47 — VOTE411 Voter GuideCandidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania (VOTE411) · Most pressing issues · onyourballot.vote411.org
“some form of property tax relief needs to be considered for retirees living on fixed income. Nobody should lose their home due to tax increases.”
Proposes that legislators forfeit two days' pay for each day the state budget is late.
He also pledges to waive his own salary for each day the budget is late.
ReportPennsylvania State Representative District 47 — VOTE411 Voter GuideCandidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania (VOTE411) · State budget process · onyourballot.vote411.org
“For each day the budget is delayed, legislators forfeit their compensation at a rate of two days lost compensation for every day late”
Plaidsylvania — Edward Ritter for Pennsylvania House District 47Campaign website · Plaidsylvania · plaidsylvania.com
“I will waive my state salary each day that the state budget is late.”
Housing
Supports expanding affordable housing by speeding permits and rehabilitating abandoned or underused properties.
ReportEdward Ritter — Ballotpedia Candidate Connection surveyCandidate questionnaire · Ballotpedia · Key messages · ballotpedia.org
“Pennsylvania needs to expand affordable housing by expediting permitting and rehabbing abandoned OR underused properties.”
Economy & jobs
Supports raising the state minimum wage to $15 an hour, with tipped workers paid 60% of it.
He says the increases could be phased in over three years.
ReportPennsylvania State Representative District 47 — VOTE411 Voter GuideCandidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania (VOTE411) · Most pressing issues · onyourballot.vote411.org
“I favor proposals to increase the state minimum wage to $15 per hour with tipped workers paid 60% of the minimum wage.”
Environment & parks
Calls for data center transparency and enforceable limits, including on power consumption.
ReportPennsylvania State Representative District 47 — VOTE411 Voter GuideCandidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania (VOTE411) · Data centers · onyourballot.vote411.org
“Data centers need to be transparent regarding their potential impact to their neighbors. This includes specific, enforceable limits regarding power consumption”
Health & human services
Proposes state funding to replace federal cuts to programs such as SNAP, Head Start and Medicaid.
ReportPlaidsylvania — Edward Ritter for Pennsylvania House District 47Campaign website · Plaidsylvania · Core Platform Value · plaidsylvania.com
“As your legislator, I will work to restore or deliver these benefits through state funding.”
Edward Ritter — Ballotpedia Candidate Connection surveyCandidate questionnaire · Ballotpedia · ballotpedia.org
“State support for food security programs needs to be increased to make up for loss of federal funding - at a minimum.”
Supports Death with Dignity legislation for terminally ill patients of sound mind.
ReportEdward Ritter — Ballotpedia Candidate Connection surveyCandidate questionnaire · Ballotpedia · Areas of public policy · ballotpedia.org
“I am an advocate for Death with Dignity legislation.”
Government & transparency
Supports open primaries so unaffiliated voters can take part in primary elections.
ReportPennsylvania State Representative District 47 — VOTE411 Voter GuideCandidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania (VOTE411) · Elections · onyourballot.vote411.org
“I believe Pennsylvania needs to implement open primaries to guarantee unaffiliated voters fair access throughout the process.”
Pledges to support a legislative gift ban and to serve no more than three terms.
ReportPlaidsylvania — Edward Ritter for Pennsylvania House District 47Campaign website · Plaidsylvania · Ethics Pledge · plaidsylvania.com
“I will not accept gifts and will support Gift Ban legislation. … I will not serve more than 3 terms.”
Other issues in this race
Other candidates in this race addressed these topics. We found no documented position from Edward Ritter on them.
- EducationNo documented position found.
- Courts & justiceNo documented position found.
All sources (5)
- York County Elections - 2026 General Election - Unofficial Candidate Listing
Election filing · York County Board of Elections · yorkcountypa.gov
- Official Notice of Election for Military and Overseas Voters, County of York - 2026 General Election (November 3, 2026)
Election filing · York County Board of Elections · yorkcountypa.gov
- Pennsylvania State Representative District 47 — VOTE411 Voter Guide
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
- Plaidsylvania — Edward Ritter for Pennsylvania House District 47
Campaign website · Plaidsylvania · plaidsylvania.com
- Edward Ritter — Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey
Candidate questionnaire · Ballotpedia · ballotpedia.org
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.