The Gist
State Representative, 191st District
Photo of Joanna E McClinton
Joanna E McClintonOfficial portrait — PA House Democratic Caucus

Joanna E McClinton

Candidate for State Representative, 191st District

DemocraticIncumbent

Background

Occupation
Attorney; Speaker of the Pennsylvania House
Lives in
Philadelphia (Southwest Philadelphia)
Campaign website
mcclintonforpa.com

Speaker of the Pennsylvania House since 2023 and state representative for the 191st District since 2015; she was earlier House Democratic Leader and Caucus Chair. She was an assistant public defender for seven years and chief counsel to state Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams.

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Photo: Official portrait — PA House Democratic Caucus

Documented positions

Taxes & budget

Education

Housing

  • Names rising housing costs and aging homes owners cannot afford to maintain as top district concerns.

    Pennsylvania State Representative District 191 — VOTE411 Voter Guide

    Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania (VOTE411) · Most pressing issues · onyourballot.vote411.org

    “Too many residents are struggling with rising housing costs and aging homes that they cannot afford to maintain.”
    Report

Economy & jobs

  • Calls for raising the minimum wage and legalizing adult-use cannabis to keep revenue in Pennsylvania.In office

    Speaker McClinton's Statement on Governor Shapiro's Budget Proposal

    Public statement · Office of Speaker Joanna E. McClinton · Feb 3, 2026 · pahouse.com

    “Pennsylvania needs to stop leaving money on the table by failing to increase our outdated minimum wage and not legalizing adult use cannabis.”
    Report

Environment & parks

  • Supports statewide data center standards on energy, water and ratepayers while keeping local zoning control.

    Pennsylvania State Representative District 191 — VOTE411 Voter Guide

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

    “I would support thoughtful, statewide standards that ensure transparency, protect ratepayers, and safeguard our natural resources … State policy should set clear guardrails, not override local control.”
    Report

Health & human services

  • Supports a court ruling that the state constitution protects a right to reproductive autonomy, including abortion.In office

    PA Constitution guarantees right to reproductive choice

    Public statement · Office of Speaker Joanna E. McClinton · Apr 21, 2026 · pahouse.com

    “the court recognized that the Pennsylvania Constitution guarantees a fundamental right to reproductive autonomy including abortion care”
    Report

Government & transparency

  • Supports early voting, expanded mail-in voting and same-day registration; sponsored a voting package incl. HB 1396.

    Pennsylvania State Representative District 191 — VOTE411 Voter Guide

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

    “I support commonsense reforms like early voting, expanded mail-in access, and same-day registration to make participation easier for working families. … advanced a comprehensive voting rights package, including HB 1396, to modernize and strengthen our system”
    Report

Courts & justice

  • Backed House-passed sentencing legislation after Commonwealth v. Lee, including expanded compassionate release.In office

    Statement on Passage of Justice Reform Measure

    Public statement · Office of Speaker Joanna E. McClinton · Jul 23, 2026 · pahouse.com

    “strengthening compassionate release, a reform that will save the commonwealth millions of dollars without compromising public safety”
    Report

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.