The Gist
State Representative, 171st District
Photo of John Zangari
John ZangariCampaign photo — Friends of John Zangari

John Zangari

Candidate for State Representative, 171st District

Democratic

Background

Occupation
Administrative assistant, Penn State Department of Sociology and Criminology
Lives in
Lewistown
Campaign website
votezangari.com

Works at Penn State University in the Department of Sociology and Criminology; previously a Lehigh County corrections officer and a small business owner. He has degrees in criminal justice from Northampton Community College and Kutztown University.

Report

Photo: Campaign photo — Friends of John Zangari

Documented positions

Taxes & budget

  • Calls for ending corporate tax loopholes and moving away from flat-rate taxes to give working families relief.

    John on Policy

    Campaign website · Friends of John Zangari · Affordability: A Fairer Tax Structure · votezangari.com

    “End corporate tax loopholes and shift away from flat-rate taxes so large corporations pay their fair share and working families get tax relief.”
    Report

  • Proposes phasing out horse-racing subsidies and redirecting the money to schools and infrastructure.

    John on Policy

    Campaign website · Friends of John Zangari · Accountability: End Corporate Welfare · votezangari.com

    “Redirect wasteful spending … toward public schools, local infrastructure, and lower taxes for small businesses.”
    Zangari announces bid for 171st District House seat

    News coverage · The Sentinel (Lewistown) · Feb 19, 2026 · lewistownsentinel.com

    “phasing out subsidies such as the Race Horse Development Fund”
    Report

Public safety

  • Supports background checks on private gun sales and a 3-day waiting period.

    John on Policy

    Campaign website · Friends of John Zangari · Common-Sense Gun Safety · votezangari.com

    “closing background check loopholes on private sales and introducing a reasonable 3-day waiting period”
    Report

Housing

  • Supports easing local zoning to allow duplexes and townhomes, and more help for first-time buyers.

    John on Policy

    Campaign website · Friends of John Zangari · Affordability: Expand Housing Supply … Affordability: Expand Housing Supply · votezangari.com

    “Cut rigid local restrictions to allow duplexes, townhomes, and affordable multi-family options. … Expand down-payment assistance and low-interest financing for first-time buyers.”
    Report

Economy & jobs

Environment & parks

Health & human services

  • Calls for caps on high-cost treatments and prescription drugs and itemized medical billing.

    John on Policy

    Campaign website · Friends of John Zangari · Affordability: Healthcare & Prescription Relief · votezangari.com

    “Put strict caps on high-cost treatments and prescription drugs, mandate transparent itemized billing, and stop predatory medical debt.”
    Report

Government & transparency

  • Calls for banning lobbyist-funded perks, restricting dark money and term limits for legislative leaders.

    John on Policy

    Campaign website · Friends of John Zangari · Accountability: Clean Up Harrisburg · votezangari.com

    “Ban politicians from using lobbyist-funded cash for personal perks, restrict dark money in elections, and institute smart term limits for legislative leadership”
    Report

Courts & justice

  • Supports reserving jail for dangerous offenders and expanding treatment for non-violent offenses.

    John on Policy

    Campaign website · Friends of John Zangari · Smart Public Safety & Criminal Justice Reform · votezangari.com

    “we must reserve jail for dangerous offenders, expand treatment for non-violent offenses, and ensure real oversight”
    Report

Other issues in this race

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

  • Roads & infrastructureNo 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.