The Gist
Home

State

State Representative, 130th 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.

Eastern Berks County: Alsace, Colebrookdale, District, Earl, Hereford, Longswamp, Maidencreek, Oley, Pike, Richmond, Rockland, Ruscombmanor and Washington townships, and the boroughs of Bally, Bechtelsville, Boyertown, Fleetwood, Lyons and Topton. Open seat: the current representative, David Maloney, is not on the ballot.

CandidatesCompare by issue

Taxes & budget

  • Erik BonnettDemocratic

    • Calls for tax changes so the wealthiest Pennsylvanians pay the same share as the middle class.
    • Calls for budget deadlines with consequences if missed and earlier bipartisan negotiations.

  • Melissa BrewerRepublican

    • Supports cutting and freezing seniors' property taxes on the way to eliminating property taxes.
    • Opposes income tax increases.

Public safety

  • Erik BonnettDemocratic

    • Supports more funding for local police rather than relying on federal agencies.

  • Melissa BrewerRepublican

    • Supports law enforcement and first responders and pledges to preserve Second Amendment rights.

Education

  • Erik BonnettDemocratic

    No documented position found.

  • Melissa BrewerRepublican

    • Supports educational choice, parental rights and a focus on core academic skills.

Economy & jobs

Environment & parks

  • Erik BonnettDemocratic

    • Supports state data center rules with local authority kept, and says big tech should pay for grid costs.

  • Melissa BrewerRepublican

    No documented position found.

Health & human services

  • Erik BonnettDemocratic

    • Supports universal health coverage that emphasizes preventive care and lower drug costs.

  • Melissa BrewerRepublican

    • Pledges to "protect the unborn and defend the sanctity of life."

Government & transparency

  • Erik BonnettDemocratic

    • Supports term limits for all elected officials and a ban on insider trading.
    • Supports post-election audits, fully funded voting technology and county election funding.

  • Melissa BrewerRepublican

    • Proposes an independent state "DOGE" commission to find and cut government waste.
    • Supports voter ID for all forms of voting, including mail-in and absentee.
    • Pledges to refuse the legislative pension, per diems and perks.

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.