Sean M Dougherty
Candidate for State Representative, 172nd District
Background
- Occupation
- State representative
- Lives in
- Fox Chase, Philadelphia
- Campaign website
- pahouse.com
State representative for the 172nd District in Northeast Philadelphia since 2025, first elected in November 2024. A lawyer, he was an assistant public defender at the Defender Association of Philadelphia and a law clerk on the Superior Court.
Documented positions
Taxes & budget
Sponsored HB 2079 to repay interest schools and nonprofits paid on loans during the 2025 budget impasse.In office
ReportCo-Sponsorship Memo: Protecting Schools, Nonprofits, and Human Services from Budget Impasse FalloutGovernment record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · Nov 18, 2025 · palegis.us
“back fill any interest accrued by entities that receive state funding which were forced to take out loans during the recent budget impasse”
Public safety
Sponsored HB 1416 making interference that seriously injures or kills a transit operator a felony.In office
ReportHouse Transportation Committee approves Dougherty bill punishing interference of public transit operatorsPublic statement · Office of Rep. Sean Dougherty · Jun 17, 2025 · pahouse.com
“any interference that causes the serious bodily injury or death of an operator would be punishable as a felony”
Proposes speed-limiting devices for some speeding offenders as an alternative to license suspension.In office
ReportCo-Sponsorship Memo: Making Our Roads Safer -- Establishing an Opt-In Speed Inhibitor ProgramGovernment record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · Sep 9, 2025 · palegis.us
“establish a program to allow the option to install ISA systems in the cars of individuals convicted of certain speed-related offenses”
Education
Supports universal pre-K, citing its economic benefits and help for working parents.In office
ReportUniversal Pre-K helps economy, children and parentsPublic statement · Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus · Mar 3, 2026 · pahouse.com
“Pennsylvania forfeits an estimated $6 billion in economic activity every single year by not offering universal pre-K”
Housing
Sponsored HB 643, passed by the House, to raise the cap on PHARE affordable housing funding to $110 million.In office
ReportPA House passes Dougherty bill Increasing aid for affordable housingPublic statement · Office of Rep. Sean Dougherty · Apr 24, 2025 · pahouse.com
“Affordable housing is a necessity that all Pennsylvanians deserve easy access to … the bill would raise this cap to $110 million”
Economy & jobs
Sponsored HB 2585 to end subminimum wages for workers with disabilities.In office
ReportCo-Sponsorship Memo: Eliminating Subminimum Wage EmploymentGovernment record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · May 6, 2026 · palegis.us
“My legislation would amend the Minimum Wage Act of 1968 to remove exceptions allowing employers to underpay workers with disabilities.”
Roads & infrastructure
Sponsored HB 1788, a transit and road funding bill the House passed, and urged the Senate to fund transit.In office
ReportHouse passes Dougherty’s transformative public transit omnibus legislation; calls on the PA Senate to finally fund public transitPublic statement · Office of Rep. Sean Dougherty · Aug 11, 2025 · pahouse.com
“The Senate needs to get back to Harrisburg immediately and finally fund public transit”
Courts & justice
Sponsored HR 618 for a state study of mental health treatment in county jails.In office
ReportCo-Sponsorship Memo: Resolution to Study Mental Health Treatment in County JailsGovernment record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · Jul 16, 2026 · palegis.us
“directing the Pennsylvania Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study mental health treatment in county jails”
All sources (15)
- Candidates for Office (with sample ballots by split) — November 3, 2026 General Election, Philadelphia
Election filing · Philadelphia City Commissioners · vote.phila.gov
- Official Notice of Election for Military and Overseas Voters, Philadelphia County, 2026 General and Special Election
Election filing · Philadelphia County Board of Elections (City Commissioners) · Aug 14, 2026 · vote.phila.gov
- Official Sample Ballot, November 3, 2026 General Election, Philadelphia ballot split 2-xx-172
Election filing · Philadelphia County Board of Elections (City Commissioners) · vote.phila.gov
- Rep. Sean Dougherty | Biography
Government record · Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus · pahouse.com
- Rep. Sean Dougherty | District
Government record · Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus · pahouse.com
- VOTE411 Voter Guide: Pennsylvania State Representative District 172
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
- Research, funding key to improving cancer treatment, healthcare
Public statement · Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus · Sep 21, 2026 · pahouse.com
- House passes Dougherty’s transformative public transit omnibus legislation; calls on the PA Senate to finally fund public transit
Public statement · Office of Rep. Sean Dougherty · Aug 11, 2025 · pahouse.com
- House Transportation Committee approves Dougherty bill punishing interference of public transit operators
Public statement · Office of Rep. Sean Dougherty · Jun 17, 2025 · pahouse.com
- PA House passes Dougherty bill Increasing aid for affordable housing
Public statement · Office of Rep. Sean Dougherty · Apr 24, 2025 · pahouse.com
- Universal Pre-K helps economy, children and parents
Public statement · Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus · Mar 3, 2026 · pahouse.com
- Co-Sponsorship Memo: Eliminating Subminimum Wage Employment
Government record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · May 6, 2026 · palegis.us
- Co-Sponsorship Memo: Protecting Schools, Nonprofits, and Human Services from Budget Impasse Fallout
Government record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · Nov 18, 2025 · palegis.us
- Co-Sponsorship Memo: Making Our Roads Safer -- Establishing an Opt-In Speed Inhibitor Program
Government record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · Sep 9, 2025 · palegis.us
- Co-Sponsorship Memo: Resolution to Study Mental Health Treatment in County Jails
Government record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · Jul 16, 2026 · palegis.us
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.