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State Representative, 121st 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 Wilkes-Barre and nearby communities: the city of Wilkes-Barre; the townships of Bear Creek, Buck, Plains and Wilkes-Barre; and the boroughs of Bear Creek Village and Laurel Run. Open seat: incumbent Eddie Day Pashinski (Democratic) is not on the ballot.

CandidatesCompare by issue

Taxes & budget

  • Jessica McClayDemocratic

    • Supports taxing skill games and legalizing marijuana to raise state revenue.

  • Mike HarostockRepublican

    • Pledges to lower taxes and energy costs for families and seniors.

Public safety

  • Jessica McClayDemocratic

    • Supports background-check gun safety legislation.

  • Mike HarostockRepublican

    • Pledges to secure funding for police, firefighters and first responders.

Education

  • Jessica McClayDemocratic

    • Calls for fully funding public schools, hiring more teachers and reducing class sizes.

  • Mike HarostockRepublican

    • Lists childcare, education and teacher-student resources as priorities.

Economy & jobs

  • Jessica McClayDemocratic

    • Supports raising the minimum wage from $7.25 to $15 an hour.

  • Mike HarostockRepublican

    • Calls for economic development and small-business support to create family-sustaining jobs.

Environment & parks

  • Jessica McClayDemocratic

    • Opposes utility price increases and tax breaks for data centers, and efforts to weaken local zoning control.

  • Mike HarostockRepublican

    • Opposes letting large tech companies build data centers throughout Northeast Pennsylvania.

Health & human services

  • Jessica McClayDemocratic

    • Supports requiring insurers to cover preventive care and extending Medicaid benefits.
    • Supports a state constitutional amendment protecting abortion access.

  • Mike HarostockRepublican

    • Calls for access to affordable health care and prescription drugs for every Pennsylvanian.

Government & transparency

  • Jessica McClayDemocratic

    • Supports a nonpartisan redistricting board and a gift ban for state legislators.

  • Mike HarostockRepublican

    No documented position found.

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; 7 issues covered in this race.