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State Representative, 12th 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.

Butler County only: Adams, Cranberry and Jackson townships, and Callery, Evans City, Harmony, Mars, Seven Fields, Valencia and Zelienople boroughs. The same two candidates met in an Aug. 18, 2026 special election for the rest of the current term, which Brandon Dukes won; this race is for the full two-year term starting in December 2026.

CandidatesCompare by issue

Taxes & budget

  • Scott TimkoRepublican

    • Calls for cutting and reforming the state gas tax and school property taxes.
    • Says there is 'massive waste' in state spending and calls for more fiscal responsibility.

  • Brandon DukesDemocratic

    • Sponsored HB 2769 to loosen inheritance tax exemption rules for family-owned businesses and farms.In office

Public safety

  • Scott TimkoRepublican

    • Says he opposes illegal immigration, is tough on crime and supports Second Amendment rights.

  • Brandon DukesDemocratic

    No documented position found.

Education

  • Scott TimkoRepublican

    • Supports school choice, including vouchers and cyber charter schools.

  • Brandon DukesDemocratic

    • Opposes funding school vouchers and calls for accountability in school choice programs.
    • Supports more investment in community colleges and trade schools and competitive teacher pay.

Housing

  • Scott TimkoRepublican

    • Calls for addressing real estate transfer taxes for first-time home buyers and for lower interest rates.

  • Brandon DukesDemocratic

    No documented position found.

Economy & jobs

  • Scott TimkoRepublican

    • Proposes using Pennsylvania's energy resources, including natural gas and coal, to lower costs.

  • Brandon DukesDemocratic

    • Supports raising the state minimum wage to $15 an hour.
    • Calls for ending price gouging on utilities and food and keeping prescription prices affordable.

Roads & infrastructure

  • Scott TimkoRepublican

    • Says roads have not kept pace with the district's growth and pledges to back boroughs' proposed fixes.
    • Opposes residents subsidizing data centers through taxes or utility bills; wants residents to decide on them.

  • Brandon DukesDemocratic

    • Calls for easing Route 228 traffic and modernizing roads to keep up with the district's growth.
    • Proposes a state infrastructure fund for high-growth corridors and wants developers to pay their fair share.

Government & transparency

  • Scott TimkoRepublican

    No documented position found.

  • Brandon DukesDemocratic

    • Supports open primaries and same-day voter registration.

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.