The Gist
State Representative, 5th District
Photo of Eric Weaknecht
Eric WeaknechtOfficial portrait — PA House Republican Caucus

Eric Weaknecht

Candidate for State Representative, 5th District

RepublicanIncumbent

Background

Occupation
State representative
Campaign website
repweaknecht.com

State representative for the 5th District, in his first term. He joined the Berks County Sheriff's Office as a deputy in 1984 and was elected Berks County sheriff in 2007, then re-elected four times.

Report

Photo: Official portrait — PA House Republican Caucus

Documented positions

Taxes & budget

  • Opposed the governor's 2025-26 budget plan, calling it bad fiscal policy to spend state savings.In office

    Weaknecht Responds to Governor's Budget Address

    Public statement · Office of Rep. Eric Weaknecht · repweaknecht.com

    “This is, simply put, bad fiscal policy. … our governor is proposing to spend our savings to unwisely increase spending without a comparable increase in revenue”
    Report

Public safety

  • Hosted a hearing on police recruitment and retention; calls recruiting officers critical to safety.In office

    Weaknecht, Policy Committee Highlight Solutions to Strengthen Law Enforcement Workforce

    Public statement · Office of Rep. Eric Weaknecht · repweaknecht.com

    “Recruiting law enforcement officers is critical to keeping our communities safe … I want to ensure those on the front lines have a voice in identifying what the Commonwealth can do to help.”
    Report

Education

  • Supports protecting female-only sports categories, citing fairness and competitive integrity.In office

    Weaknecht: Make the Promise, Defend our Daughters

    Public statement · Office of Rep. Eric Weaknecht · repweaknecht.com

    “the reason we need to protect female sports categories is simple: it's about fairness and competitive integrity.”
    Report

Economy & jobs

  • Opposes new energy taxes and supports developing Pennsylvania's own energy resources.In office

    Weaknecht Responds to Governor's Budget Address

    Public statement · Office of Rep. Eric Weaknecht · repweaknecht.com

    “Many of the measures introduced in the proposal call for economically damaging energy taxes and policies. … committed to tapping into the great economic potential under our feet while diversifying Pennsylvania's energy portfolio”
    Report

Environment & parks

  • Proposes letting Pennsylvania elk hunting license holders transfer their licenses to other eligible hunters.In office

    Co-Sponsorship Memo: Elk License Transfer

    Government record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · palegis.us

    “allow holders of Pennsylvania Elk Hunting Licenses to transfer their licenses to other eligible hunters”
    Report

Government & transparency

Courts & justice

  • Sponsored a bill making it a crime to knowingly expose a first responder to fentanyl.In office

    Co-Sponsorship Memo: Assault of a First Responder

    Government record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · Jan 23, 2025 · palegis.us

    “a person commits an offense if he intentionally or knowingly causes a first responder to come into contact with fentanyl”
    Report

Other issues in this race

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

  • HousingNo documented position found.
  • Health & human servicesNo documented position found.

All sources (8)

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.