The Gist
State Representative, 157th District
Photo of Melissa Shusterman
Melissa ShustermanOfficial portrait — PA House Democratic Caucus

Melissa Shusterman

Candidate for State Representative, 157th District

DemocraticIncumbent

Background

Occupation
State representative
Lives in
Schuylkill Township
Campaign website
melissashusterman.com

State representative for the 157th District, first elected in 2018, and chair of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Family Law. She was previously a small business owner and media producer.

Report

Photo: Official portrait — PA House Democratic Caucus

Documented positions

Taxes & budget

Public safety

  • Sponsors HB 2006, barring AI chatbots from encouraging suicide or violence.In office

    Shusterman's AI chatbot safety bill reported out of committee

    Public statement · Office of Rep. Melissa Shusterman · Jun 25, 2026 · pahouse.com

    “Prohibiting chatbots from assisting -- or encouraging -- suicide attempts and acts of violence”
    Report

Economy & jobs

  • Proposes state rules to ensure frontier AI models do not cause catastrophic harm.In office

    Shusterman's and Scott's bill will guard against catastrophic risks of AI

    Public statement · Office of Rep. Melissa Shusterman · Sep 14, 2026 · pahouse.com

    “government must ensure frontier models are not causing catastrophic harm to society”
    Report

  • Sponsors HB 630 to strengthen the equal pay law, barring lower pay based on gender, race or ethnicity.In office

    Shusterman calls on state Senate to pass equal pay

    Public statement · Office of Rep. Melissa Shusterman · Mar 24, 2026 · pahouse.com

    “The legislation would prohibit employers from paying workers less because of their gender, race, or ethnicity”
    Report

Roads & infrastructure

  • Supports HB 1834, requiring data centers to pay for their own grid upgrades rather than consumers.

    Pennsylvania State Representative District 157 — VOTE411 Voter Guide

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

    “ensuring expanding data center facilities pay for their own regional grid infrastructure & network upgrades without passing those costs onto everyday consumers”
    Report

Health & human services

  • Says she secured state money for expansion projects at Paoli Hospital.

    Pennsylvania State Representative District 157 — VOTE411 Voter Guide

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

    “Successfully secured millions of state dollars to fund vital expansion projects at Paoli Hospital”
    Report

  • Sponsored a House-passed resolution for a state study of childcare costs.In office

    Shusterman's childcare study resolution passes House

    Public statement · Office of Rep. Melissa Shusterman · Jun 24, 2026 · pahouse.com

    “For working families, childcare is too expensive and all too often parents struggle to find care”
    Report

  • Sponsored Act 38 of 2026, requiring trauma-informed training for county veteran affairs directors.In office

    Shusterman's military sexual trauma bill signed into law

    Public statement · Office of Rep. Melissa Shusterman · Jul 21, 2026 · pahouse.com

    “require additional trainings and certifications for County Veteran Assistance Directors regarding trauma-informed care”
    Report

Government & transparency

  • Supports open primaries, an Election Day holiday and laws against voter intimidation.

    Pennsylvania State Representative District 157 — VOTE411 Voter Guide

    Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters Education Fund (VOTE411) · Elections · onyourballot.vote411.org

    “I support measures such as making Election Day a Federal Holiday, open primaries, and passing laws to prevent voter intimidation and protect poll workers”
    Report

Other issues in this race

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

  • EducationNo documented position found.
  • Environment & parksNo documented position found.

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.

Melissa Shusterman for State Representative, 157th District · The Gist