State
State Representative, 128th 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.
Southern and southeastern Berks County: Amity, Caernarvon, Douglass, Robeson and Union townships, Birdsboro and New Morgan boroughs, and parts of Cumru and Exeter townships.
Taxes & budget
Andy WagnerDemocratic
- Calls emissions testing on brand-new vehicles a tax.
Mark M. GillenRepublican
- Sponsored a constitutional amendment to eliminate property taxes and says he will keep pushing for it.
- Calls for on-time, balanced budgets and opposes spending down the Rainy Day Fund on one-time costs.
- Proposes a constitutional amendment widening the property tax exemption for 100% disabled veterans.In office
Public safety
Andy WagnerDemocratic
- Proposes a 1% state income tax cut for first responders to help recruit and retain them.
Mark M. GillenRepublican
- Supports funding more state police trooper classes and law enforcement resources.In office
Education
Andy WagnerDemocratic
- Proposes eliminating state standardized testing in favor of competency certificates.
- Calls for state funding to renovate aging school buildings and for equitable school funding.
Mark M. GillenRepublican
No documented position found.
Economy & jobs
Andy WagnerDemocratic
- Supports developing timber, natural gas, oil, coal, solar and hydro energy to lower costs.
Mark M. GillenRepublican
No documented position found.
Roads & infrastructure
Andy WagnerDemocratic
- Pledges to work against water and electricity rate hikes.
Mark M. GillenRepublican
- Proposes capping water and sewer rate increases; testified against a PA American Water rate hike.
Environment & parks
Andy WagnerDemocratic
- Supports adding state safeguards on data centers alongside local control.
Mark M. GillenRepublican
- Says he supported House bills to keep data centers from being built in the midst of communities.
Government & transparency
Andy WagnerDemocratic
- Supports making primary and general election days holidays to help people vote.
Mark M. GillenRepublican
- Supports requiring voters to show identification before voting.
Courts & justice
Andy WagnerDemocratic
No documented position found.
Mark M. GillenRepublican
- Proposes making it simple assault to intentionally spit or expel bodily fluids on another person.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.