The Gist
Home

State

State Representative, 119th District

Vote for
1
Term
2 years
Candidates
2
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.

Covers the Nanticoke–Hanover area of Luzerne County: the city of Nanticoke; the townships of Fairview, Hanover, Newport, Plymouth, Rice and Wright; and the boroughs of Ashley, Edwardsville, Larksville, Plymouth, Sugar Notch and Warrior Run.

CandidatesCompare by issue

Taxes & budget

  • Lauren McCurdyDemocratic

    • Proposes lowering property taxes by fully funding public schools.

  • Alec J RyncavageRepublican

    • Voted for the 2026-27 budget, citing the preserved Rainy Day Fund.In office

Public safety

  • Lauren McCurdyDemocratic

    • Calls for protecting senior citizens from scams and fraud.

  • Alec J RyncavageRepublican

    • Proposes letting corrections officers retire with full pensions at 50 with 20 years' service, or 25 years at any age.In office
    • Backed forming the West Side Regional Police Department serving Edwardsville and Larksville.In office

Education

  • Lauren McCurdyDemocratic

    • Calls for state leadership that provides stability and support for public schools.

  • Alec J RyncavageRepublican

    • Opposed the governor's decision not to opt Pennsylvania into the federal scholarship tax credit program.In office
    • Sponsored a bill to create a statewide model student data security plan after the PowerSchool breach.In office

Economy & jobs

  • Lauren McCurdyDemocratic

    • Proposes lowering grocery and household costs by cracking down on price gouging.

  • Alec J RyncavageRepublican

    No documented position found.

Roads & infrastructure

  • Lauren McCurdyDemocratic

    • Calls for making data centers and utilities pay their fair share so they do not raise residents' energy bills.

  • Alec J RyncavageRepublican

    • Sponsored a bill directing the PUC to write rules to remove duplicate 'double' utility poles.In office

Environment & parks

  • Lauren McCurdyDemocratic

    • Calls for data center transparency and protections for water, air quality and against noise.In office

  • Alec J RyncavageRepublican

    No documented position found.

Health & human services

  • Lauren McCurdyDemocratic

    • Calls for lower prescription drug prices and relief from medical debt.

  • Alec J RyncavageRepublican

    • Proposes seeking a federal waiver to exclude candy and soft drinks from SNAP purchases.In office
    • Co-sponsored a proposal to let nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) practice to the full extent of their training.In office

Government & transparency

  • Lauren McCurdyDemocratic

    No documented position found.

  • Alec J RyncavageRepublican

    • Filed a Right-to-Know request for Crestwood School Board's superintendent settlement, saying it is a public record.In office

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 8 issues covered in this race.