The Gist
Home

State

State Representative, 135th 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.

The Northampton County part of the city of Bethlehem and most of Hanover Township.

CandidatesCompare by issue

Taxes & budget

  • Joe PoplawskiRepublican

    • Supports enforceable state budget deadlines and more austerity in state spending.

  • Steve SamuelsonDemocratic

    • Sponsored the law expanding Property Tax/Rent Rebate eligibility and backed the Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit.
    • Voted for the $50.85 billion 2026-27 state budget.

Public safety

  • Joe PoplawskiRepublican

    • Calls Flock license-plate cameras a violation of Fourth Amendment rights.
    • Received a 100% score on Gun Owners of America's candidate survey, according to the group.

  • Steve SamuelsonDemocratic

    • Calls for more regulation of Flock license-plate cameras.

Education

  • Joe PoplawskiRepublican

    No documented position found.

  • Steve SamuelsonDemocratic

    • Supports increased state investment in Pre-K and public education.

Housing

  • Joe PoplawskiRepublican

    • Proposes encouraging towns to cut minimum home and lot sizes by one-third to lower housing costs.
    • Proposes a Homeless Launch Program of small, low-cost dwellings with savings accounts and services.

  • Steve SamuelsonDemocratic

    • Says he will keep working on affordable housing.

Economy & jobs

  • Joe PoplawskiRepublican

    • Proposes reviving local manufacturing with a focus on carbon-neutral steel production.

  • Steve SamuelsonDemocratic

    No documented position found.

Roads & infrastructure

  • Joe PoplawskiRepublican

    • Proposes a Smart Standards for Safe Infrastructure Act focused on roads, bridges and water systems.

  • Steve SamuelsonDemocratic

    • Proposes a fee on the heaviest energy users to fund relief for utility ratepayers.In office

Environment & parks

  • Joe PoplawskiRepublican

    • Opposes data centers in the 135th District and says data centers should pay for needed grid upgrades.

  • Steve SamuelsonDemocratic

    • Supports regulating data centers, giving towns tools to control them, and opposes state tax breaks for them.

Government & transparency

  • Joe PoplawskiRepublican

    No documented position found.

  • Steve SamuelsonDemocratic

    • Sponsors a constitutional amendment creating an independent redistricting commission.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.