The Gist
State Representative, 17th District
Photo of Tim Bonner
Tim BonnerOfficial portrait — Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Tim Bonner

Candidate for State Representative, 17th District

RepublicanIncumbent

Background

Occupation
State representative; attorney
Lives in
Grove City area, Mercer County
Campaign website
repbonner.com

State representative since March 2020, for the 8th District until 2022 and the 17th District since 2023; Republican chair of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Family Law. A Grove City attorney who was a Mercer County prosecutor for 18 years and teaches law and government at Grove City College.

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Photo: Official portrait — Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Documented positions

Taxes & budget

  • Doubts that proposed taxes on skill games and recreational marijuana would raise the projected revenue this year.

    Lawmakers in Butler County cautiously optimistic about reaching budget deal soon

    Interview · Butler Eagle · Jun 27, 2026 · butlereagle.com

    “it would take some time to get the tax program up and running to obtain that type of revenue within this fiscal year … I have serious concerns with taking money from the rainy day fund to balance the budget”
    Report

  • Opposed the governor's 2026-27 budget proposal and opposes using reserve funds for general spending.In office

    Bonner said the plan would draw $4.6 billion from the Rainy Day Fund after the $8 billion General Reserve was already spent.

    Bonner: Shapiro's Spending Dream Would Be Pennsylvania's Pricey Nightmare

    Public statement · Office of Rep. Tim Bonner · Feb 4, 2026 · repbonner.com

    “The budget set forth by Gov. Josh Shapiro represents another reckless step towards fiscal disaster for Pennsylvania.”
    Bonner Expresses Disappointment in Failure to Meet Budget Deadline

    Public statement · Office of Rep. Tim Bonner · Jul 1, 2025 · repbonner.com

    “I strongly oppose spending our reserves to support general spending requests. Our reserves are meant to cover emergency needs.”
    Report

  • Sponsored a bill (HB 898) requiring gas pumps to display the state fuel tax per gallon.In office

    Co-Sponsorship Memo: Fuel Tax Transparency (HB 898)

    Government record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · Dec 18, 2024 · palegis.us

    “will require stickers to be placed on retail service station gasoline pumps”
    Report

Public safety

  • Sponsored a bill (HB 351) making it a misdemeanor for local officials to direct police not to enforce state law.In office

    Co-Sponsorship Memo: Enforcement of State Law (HB 351)

    Government record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · Dec 18, 2024 · palegis.us

    “Public officials do not have the authority under the law to direct law enforcement officers not to enforce state law”
    Report

Environment & parks

  • Sponsored a bill (HB 935) barring landfills within three miles of densely populated municipalities.In office

    Bonner welcomed an August 2025 Commonwealth Court ruling that denied a permit to reopen the Tri-County Industries landfill in Liberty and Pine townships.

    Co-Sponsorship Memo: Landfill Sites - Population Density (HB 935)

    Government record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · Dec 18, 2024 · palegis.us

    “a waste disposal site, which needs governmental approval, may not be located, reopened or expanded if it is within three (3) miles”
    Tri-County Landfill Permit Denied

    Public statement · Office of Rep. Tim Bonner · Aug 12, 2025 · repbonner.com

    “I will also continue my efforts to pass legislation that will prohibit any landfill to operate within three (3) miles of any densely populated community.”
    Report

Health & human services

  • Sponsored a bill (HB 165) requiring pain medication for a fetus before an abortion after 15 weeks.In office

    About Tim | PA State Rep. Tim Bonner

    Government record · PA House Republican Caucus · repbonner.com

    “fighting for the rights of the unborn”
    Co-Sponsorship Memo: Pain Control for the Unborn (HB 165)

    Government record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · Dec 18, 2024 · palegis.us

    “require pain medication to be administered to a fetus prior to an abortion if the fetus is more than 15 weeks gestational age”
    Report

Government & transparency

  • Sponsored a resolution (HR 87) on keeping unfriendly foreign nations from acquiring farmland and infrastructure.In office

    Co-Sponsorship Memo: Foreign Ownership of Land (HR 87)

    Government record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · Jan 24, 2025 · palegis.us

    “This legislation is designed to prevent unfriendly foreign nations and related actors from gaining access to and influencing our institutions and assets.”
    Report

Courts & justice

  • Sponsored a resolution (HR 519) asking the Sentencing Commission to develop statewide bail recommendations.In office

    Bonner cites inconsistent bail-setting across the 67 counties and complaints of racial, gender, age and income bias.

    Bonner Introduces Resolution to Establish Uniform Bail Standards in Pennsylvania

    Public statement · Office of Rep. Tim Bonner · May 12, 2026 · repbonner.com

    “House Resolution 519 is meant to bring fairness and justice to the setting of bail across Pennsylvania”
    Report

  • Sponsored a bill (HB 166) requiring juries to find death-penalty factors beyond a reasonable doubt.In office

    Co-sponsored with Democratic Rep. Tarik Khan. Current law uses a preponderance-of-the-evidence standard for weighing aggravating against mitigating factors.

    Co-Sponsorship Memo: Death Penalty Amendment (HB 166)

    Government record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · Dec 18, 2024 · palegis.us

    “The Commonwealth should be required to prove that the aggravating circumstances outweigh the mitigating circumstances beyond a reasonable doubt.”
    Report

All sources (17)

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.