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State Representative, 1st District

Vote for
1
Term
2 years
Candidates
1
Election
Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: A state representative votes on Pennsylvania laws and the state budget in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

Erie County only. No Republican candidate is on the ballot.

Photo of Patrick J. Harkins
Patrick J. HarkinsOfficial portrait — Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Patrick J. Harkins

DemocraticIncumbent

State representative · Erie

The gist

  • Sponsored a bill to extend federal OSHA workplace-safety protections to Pennsylvania public-sector workers.In office
  • Proposes higher fines, stop-work orders and contractor liability for misclassifying construction workers.In office
  • Proposes letting victims of workplace bullying seek court-ordered relief, including lost wages and damages.In office
  • Proposes banning the sale of firefighter protective gear containing added PFAS chemicals starting in 2028.In office
  • Joined a proposal to ban pesticides that contain PFAS chemicals in Pennsylvania.In office
  • Proposes letting agencies deny unreasonably burdensome Right-to-Know requests and raising fees for for-profit requests.In office
  • Proposes keeping the identities of lottery winners of $1 million or more confidential.In office
  • Proposes a $2,000 state income tax credit for parents who experience a stillbirth.In office

In office = from the candidate's own official statements or legislation as an officeholder, not their campaign.

More about Patrick
View sources (8)
  1. Sponsored a bill to extend federal OSHA workplace-safety protections to Pennsylvania public-sector workers.

    Co-sponsorship memo: The Jake Schwab Worker Safety Bill

    Government record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · Jan 16, 2025 · palegis.us

    “This legislation will extend OSHA protections to public sector workers in Pennsylvania.”
  2. Proposes higher fines, stop-work orders and contractor liability for misclassifying construction workers.

    Co-sponsorship memo: Improving the Construction Workplace Misclassification Act

    Government record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · Mar 3, 2025 · palegis.us

    “Increase fines for violations and add debarment as a penalty. … Require general contractors to be held accountable for subcontractors who misclassify workers.”
  3. Proposes letting victims of workplace bullying seek court-ordered relief, including lost wages and damages.

    Co-sponsorship memo: Healthy Workplace Legislation

    Government record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · Feb 19, 2025 · palegis.us

    “this legislation will extend court-ordered relief for victims of workplace bullying not currently fitting in a protected class under the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act.”
  4. Proposes banning the sale of firefighter protective gear containing added PFAS chemicals starting in 2028.

    Co-sponsorship memo: Banning PFAs chemicals in firefighter personal protective equipment

    Government record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · Jan 23, 2025 · palegis.us

    “prohibit the distribution, manufacture, production or sale of firefighting personal equipment that contains an intentionally added PFAS chemical beginning January 1, 2028”
  5. Joined a proposal to ban pesticides that contain PFAS chemicals in Pennsylvania.

    Co-sponsorship memo: Banning Forever Chemicals in Pesticides

    Government record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · Jan 14, 2026 · palegis.us

    “we are introducing legislation to ban pesticides that contain PFAS in Pennsylvania.”
  6. Proposes letting agencies deny unreasonably burdensome Right-to-Know requests and raising fees for for-profit requests.

    Co-sponsorship memo: Burdensome Right-to-Know Requests

    Government record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · Mar 3, 2025 · palegis.us

    “allowing agencies to deny an unreasonably burdensome request and to increase the fees associated with requests from for-profit entities”
  7. Proposes keeping the identities of lottery winners of $1 million or more confidential.

    Co-sponsorship memo: Protecting the Identity of Lottery Winners

    Government record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · Mar 3, 2025 · palegis.us

    “I am introducing legislation that would protect the identity of any individual that wins a lottery prize of $1 million or more.”
  8. Proposes a $2,000 state income tax credit for parents who experience a stillbirth.

    Co-sponsorship memo: State Income Tax Credit for Parent(s) who Experience a Stillbirth

    Government record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · Feb 19, 2025 · palegis.us

    “I am proposing a tax credit in the amount of $2,000 for a parent or parents whose pregnancy results in a stillbirth.”

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