State Representative, 120th District · 2026 General Election

Fern Leard

Democratic

Healthcare advocate · Dallas Township

The gist

Supports a three-year statewide moratorium on data centers and strict local limits on them.
Proposes barring utilities from shifting data center infrastructure costs onto ratepayers.
Proposes lowering the price-gouging threshold from 20% to 10% and banning junk fees.
Supports caps on yearly property tax increases and a property tax freeze for seniors on fixed incomes.
Calls for more state funding for public schools to reduce reliance on local property taxes.
Supports a full ban on gifts to officials; says her campaign does not take corporate PAC money.

More about Fern

View sources (2)

Supports a three-year statewide moratorium on data centers and strict local limits on them.
Data Centers Are on the Ballot — This Pennsylvania Candidate Won Her Primary Keeping Them Top of Mind
Interview · Capital & Main · Jun 10, 2026 · Q&A: what meaningful reform looks like … Q&A: Dallas Township ordinance · capitalandmain.com
“The three-year moratorium is so we know what it is that we’re looking at. Right now, we’re going into it blindly. … What we want is something so restrictive that data center developers don’t want to come here.”
Proposes barring utilities from shifting data center infrastructure costs onto ratepayers.
Issues – Fern for PA
Campaign website · Fern for PA · Stop Skyrocketing Utility Bills … Stop Skyrocketing Utility Bills · votefern4pa.com
“I will act to prohibit utility companies from shifting infrastructure and capacity costs onto ratepayers. … I will stand for local control, so the people who live here, not outside interests, have the final say.”
Proposes lowering the price-gouging threshold from 20% to 10% and banning junk fees.
Issues – Fern for PA
Campaign website · Fern for PA · Let Hard Work Pay Off … Let Hard Work Pay Off · votefern4pa.com
“I will lower the threshold for what counts as price gouging from 20 percent to 10 percent so action can be taken sooner. … banning junk fees and requiring clear, all-in pricing so families know exactly what they are paying upfront”
Supports caps on yearly property tax increases and a property tax freeze for seniors on fixed incomes.
Issues – Fern for PA
Campaign website · Fern for PA · Real Relief for Homeowners … Real Relief for Homeowners · votefern4pa.com
“I will support caps on year-to-year property tax increases so families are not hit with sudden spikes. … create a statewide property tax freeze for seniors and residents on fixed incomes”
Calls for more state funding for public schools to reduce reliance on local property taxes.
Issues – Fern for PA
Campaign website · Fern for PA · Real Relief for Homeowners · votefern4pa.com
“increasing state investment in public education so local communities are not forced to rely so heavily on property taxes”
Supports a full ban on gifts to officials; says her campaign does not take corporate PAC money.
Issues – Fern for PA
Campaign website · Fern for PA · End Pay-to-Play Politics … End Pay-to-Play Politics · votefern4pa.com
“That is why I support a full gift ban, because no one should be able to buy access or influence with perks and favors. … That’s why I don’t take corporate PAC money.”

Brenda Pugh

RepublicanIncumbent

State representative · Dallas

The gist

Opposes broad-based tax increases and calls for property tax relief.
Supports giving parents more control over education and helping students who have fallen behind.
Supports voter ID and ending automatic cost-of-living raises and receipt-free per diems for legislators.
Sponsored HB 2738, requiring the PUC to report five-year cumulative utility rate changes and bill impacts.In office
Urges Senate passage of House data center bills, including local moratoriums and ending a sales tax exemption.In office
Calls on DEP to halt and review Chesapeake Bay stormwater mandates behind local stormwater fees.In office
Sponsored HB 2723, requiring English proficiency for commercial driver's license holders.In office
Opposes HB 1042, the House-passed second-degree murder sentencing bill, calling it soft on crime.In office

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

More about Brenda

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Opposes broad-based tax increases and calls for property tax relief.
Brenda for PA – State Representative District 120
Campaign website · Brenda for PA · Protecting Taxpayers · brendaforpa.com
“I will continue to hold the line on broad-based taxes and focus on property tax relief in Pennsylvania”
Supports giving parents more control over education and helping students who have fallen behind.
Brenda for PA – State Representative District 120
Campaign website · Brenda for PA · Prioritizing Our Students · brendaforpa.com
“We must give parents more control over education and focus on helping students who have fallen behind at school”
Supports voter ID and ending automatic cost-of-living raises and receipt-free per diems for legislators.
Brenda for PA – State Representative District 120
Campaign website · Brenda for PA · Backing Real Reforms · brendaforpa.com
“I support voter ID initiatives and will work to end automatic COLAs for politicians, as well as unaccountable per diems without receipts”
Sponsored HB 2738, requiring the PUC to report five-year cumulative utility rate changes and bill impacts.
Pugh Introduces Legislation to Bring Greater Transparency, Accountability to Utility Costs
Public statement · Office of Rep. Brenda Pugh · Aug 17, 2026 · reppugh.com
“would expand the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission’s (PUC) existing annual rate comparison report to include a five-year cumulative review of rate adjustments … People shouldn’t need to be utility experts to understand their bills,”
Urges Senate passage of House data center bills, including local moratoriums and ending a sales tax exemption.
Seeking Action on Data Center Legislation
Public statement · Offices of Reps. Jamie Walsh and Brenda Pugh · Sep 4, 2026 · reppugh.com
“We urge the Senate to swiftly bring House Bills 2198, 2359, and 2496 up for a vote and pass them … Amendment A03801 (by Rep. Pugh) closed a potential loophole”
Calls on DEP to halt and review Chesapeake Bay stormwater mandates behind local stormwater fees.
Pugh Calls on Pennsylvania to Immediately Halt, Review Chesapeake Stormwater Mandates Following Federal Action
Public statement · Office of Rep. Brenda Pugh · Sep 17, 2026 · reppugh.com
“called on the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Shapiro administration to immediately halt and review Chesapeake Bay-related stormwater mandates … Residents in Luzerne County should not continue paying a rain tax based on today’s federal policy”
Sponsored HB 2723, requiring English proficiency for commercial driver's license holders.
Pugh Legislation to Enhance Public Safety with Improved CDL Driver Requirements
Public statement · Office of Rep. Brenda Pugh · Aug 7, 2026 · reppugh.com
“the ability to understand and communicate in English is not simply a licensing requirement; it is an essential public safety standard”
Opposes HB 1042, the House-passed second-degree murder sentencing bill, calling it soft on crime.
Pugh: We Failed the Families of Victims
Public statement · Office of Rep. Brenda Pugh · Jul 24, 2026 · reppugh.com
“House Bill 1042 is nothing more than a soft-on-crime bill that will put public safety at risk”