The Gist
State Representative, 171st District
Photo of Kerry A Benninghoff
Kerry A BenninghoffOfficial portrait — PA House Republican Caucus

Kerry A Benninghoff

Candidate for State Representative, 171st District

RepublicanIncumbent

Background

Occupation
State representative
Lives in
Bellefonte
Campaign website
kerrybenninghoff.com

State representative for the 171st District since first being elected in 1996; Republican chairman of the House Transportation Committee for 2025-26 and a former House Majority Leader. Before the legislature he worked in construction, as a hospital orderly and served two terms as Centre County coroner.

Report

Photo: Official portrait — PA House Republican Caucus

Documented positions

Taxes & budget

  • Co-sponsored a bill to keep state government funded at 85% of prior-year levels during a budget impasse.In office

    Temporary Budget Continuity Act, circulated by Rep. Brian Rasel with Benninghoff; introduced as HB 2382.

    Co-Sponsorship Memo: Temporary Budget Continuity Act

    Government record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · Apr 13, 2026 · Memo · palegis.us

    “continue operations of the Commonwealth during a budget impasse at 85% of the prior fiscal year's state appropriations”
    Report

Economy & jobs

  • Sponsored a bill giving businesses a tax credit for building truck parking spaces.In office

    House Bill 709, which also calls for a statewide truck parking study; the release says it was in the House Finance Committee.

    Shapiro Administration Follows Through on Benninghoff Request for Increase in Statewide Truck Parking

    Public statement · Office of Rep. Kerry Benninghoff · Jan 28, 2026 · Press release, Jan. 28, 2026 · kerrybenninghoff.com

    “Benninghoff authored legislation early last year that would give businesses a tax credit for building additional truck parking spaces”
    Report

  • Proposes regulating skill games, grandfathering existing machines, without a new special tax.In office

    Introduced as HB 1619 (2025); would add limits on locations and terminals per location after a registration deadline.

    Co-Sponsorship Memo: Skills Game Regulation

    Government record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · Apr 1, 2025 · Memo … Memo · palegis.us

    “My legislation will grandfather all existing legal skill game terminals currently operating in the commonwealth … I will not propose an additional burdensome "special" tax on these establishments”
    Report

Roads & infrastructure

  • Proposes using $2.5 billion from the Rainy Day Fund for bridge repairs instead of bonding $500 million.In office

    Introduced as HB 1820 (2025). The money would go to weight-restricted bridges and bridges in poor condition.

    Co-Sponsorship Memo: Increased Transportation Funding

    Government record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · Jul 1, 2025 · Memo … Memo · palegis.us

    “my legislation authorizes $2.5 billion from the Rainy Day Fund to be provided to PennDOT, at $500 million for the next five fiscal years … It is not responsible to bond $500 million of taxpayer dollars”
    Report

Environment & parks

  • Says decisions on the former Rockview prison land should move slowly and follow the required process.

    Fact check: What Centre County's PA House candidates think should happen to Rockview land

    News coverage · Centre Daily Times (via Yahoo News) · Sep 17, 2026 · House District 171 … House District 171 · yahoo.com

    “I think we need to be slow in moving on it, but also smart in moving on it … By not rushing though, guess what? That land still remains green space”
    Report

  • Proposes requiring data centers to replace or restore water supplies they pollute or drain.In office

    Modeled on the Act 13 of 2012 water-supply requirement for natural gas wells; introduced as HB 2760.

    Co-Sponsorship Memo: Data Centers: Water Supply Protection

    Government record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · Jul 13, 2026 · Memo · palegis.us

    “requiring them to replace or restore water supplies affected by pollution or diminution from their operations”
    Report

Health & human services

Government & transparency

  • Sponsored the law (Act 3 of 2026) setting up online auto insurance verification to avoid registration suspensions.In office

    Benninghoff's Consumer-Friendly Auto Insurance Legislation Becomes Law

    Public statement · Office of Rep. Kerry Benninghoff · Feb 12, 2026 · Press release, Feb. 12, 2026 · kerrybenninghoff.com

    “protect drivers from facing a 90-day suspension of his or her vehicle registration when changing auto insurance carriers”
    Report

Other issues in this race

Other candidates in this race addressed these topics. We found no documented position from Kerry A Benninghoff on them.

  • Public safetyNo documented position found.
  • HousingNo documented position found.
  • Courts & justiceNo documented position found.

All sources (12)

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.