State

State Representative, 159th 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.

Delaware County only: the City of Chester; Eddystone, Marcus Hook, Parkside and Trainer boroughs; and Lower Chichester and Upper Chichester townships.

Candidates Compare by issue

Mike Bannon, Jr.

Republican

Lead commercial HVAC technician · Eddystone

The gist

Calls for bringing a full-service, trauma-capable hospital back to Delaware County.
Supports letting qualified psychologists prescribe medication to improve access to mental health care.
Supports protecting and strengthening programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Supports expanding programs and services for senior citizens, including recreation and transportation.
Backs law enforcement and calls for district attorneys to prosecute criminals instead of releasing them.
Supports more funding, training and mental health resources for firefighters, police officers and EMS workers.
Proposes creating jobs by using the district's riverfronts, supporting small businesses and cutting red tape and taxes.

More about Mike

View sources (2)

Calls for bringing a full-service, trauma-capable hospital back to Delaware County.
Michael Bannon for PA State Representative - Join the Campaign
Campaign website · Friends of Michael Bannon · bannonforpa.com
“bringing a full-service, trauma-capable hospital back to Delaware County, restoring critical healthcare services”
Supports letting qualified psychologists prescribe medication to improve access to mental health care.
Michael Bannon (Pennsylvania) — Ballotpedia (includes his 2024 Candidate Connection survey)
Candidate questionnaire · Ballotpedia · 2024 Candidate Connection survey · ballotpedia.org
“That's why I support expanding prescription authority to qualified psychologists.”
Supports protecting and strengthening programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Michael Bannon for PA State Representative - Join the Campaign
Campaign website · Friends of Michael Bannon · bannonforpa.com
“He is committed to protecting and strengthening programs that support individuals with disabilities and the families who care for them.”
Supports expanding programs and services for senior citizens, including recreation and transportation.
Michael Bannon for PA State Representative - Join the Campaign
Campaign website · Friends of Michael Bannon · bannonforpa.com
“He supports expanding programs and services for senior citizens, ensuring older adults have access to recreation, social engagement, transportation, and resources”
Backs law enforcement and calls for district attorneys to prosecute criminals instead of releasing them.
Michael Bannon (Pennsylvania) — Ballotpedia (includes his 2024 Candidate Connection survey)
Candidate questionnaire · Ballotpedia · 2024 Candidate Connection survey · ballotpedia.org
“backing law enforcement, and ensuring district attorneys prosecute criminals instead of releasing them”
Supports more funding, training and mental health resources for firefighters, police officers and EMS workers.
Michael Bannon (Pennsylvania) — Ballotpedia (includes his 2024 Candidate Connection survey)
Candidate questionnaire · Ballotpedia · 2024 Candidate Connection survey · ballotpedia.org
“enhancing funding, training, and mental health resources for our firefighters, police officers, and EMS workers”
Proposes creating jobs by using the district's riverfronts, supporting small businesses and cutting red tape and taxes.
Michael Bannon (Pennsylvania) — Ballotpedia (includes his 2024 Candidate Connection survey)
Candidate questionnaire · Ballotpedia · 2024 Candidate Connection survey … 2024 Candidate Connection survey · ballotpedia.org
“By tapping into our riverfronts and supporting small businesses, we can attract new industries and opportunities to our district. … advocate for policies that cut red tape, reduce taxes, and provide incentives for businesses to grow and hire locally”

Carol Kazeem

DemocraticIncumbent

State representative · Chester

The gist

Praises the 2026-27 state budget's education increases, saying it will give all students educational opportunities.In office
Sponsored House-passed H.B. 1045 requiring seizure recognition and first-aid training for school nurses and staff.In office
Co-authored H.B. 434 to create an Ebony Alert system for missing Black and Brown youth.In office
Calls housing a human right and making it more affordable one of the smartest investments the state can make.In office
Proposes grants and a tax credit to expand birth centers in maternity care deserts and areas with hospital closures.In office
Proposes limiting contact between federal immigration authorities and state and county prisons.In office
Calls on the Public Utility Commission to reject PECO's proposed electric and gas rate increase.In office

In office = from the candidate's own official statements or legislation as an officeholder, not their campaign.

More about Carol

View sources (7)

Praises the 2026-27 state budget's education increases, saying it will give all students educational opportunities.
Kazeem praises bipartisan budget's historic investments in education and support for working families in 2026-27 state budget
Public statement · Office of Rep. Carol Kazeem · Jul 13, 2026 · pahouse.com
“This budget will ensure that all Pennsylvania's students have access to educational opportunities that will lay the foundation for life-long success.”
Sponsored House-passed H.B. 1045 requiring seizure recognition and first-aid training for school nurses and staff.
Seizure-smart schools save student lives: Pa. House passes legislation requiring mandatory epilepsy training for school nurses, staff
Public statement · Office of Rep. Carol Kazeem · Jun 2, 2026 · pahouse.com
“require school nurses and staff to complete training approved by the state Department of Health to help them recognize the signs and symptoms”
Co-authored H.B. 434 to create an Ebony Alert system for missing Black and Brown youth.
Every missing child matters: New Ebony Alert System legislation seeks equal urgency for missing black and brown youth
Public statement · Office of Rep. Carol Kazeem · Jun 3, 2026 · pahouse.com
“would establish an Ebony Alert System in Pennsylvania dedicated to finding missing Black and Brown youth, including young women and girls”
Calls housing a human right and making it more affordable one of the smartest investments the state can make.
Addressing ongoing housing crisis will improve economic development, testifiers say
Public statement · Office of Rep. Carol Kazeem · Mar 30, 2026 · pahouse.com
“Housing is undoubtedly a human right. Making housing more affordable and attainable for everyone is one of the smartest investments we can make”
Proposes grants and a tax credit to expand birth centers in maternity care deserts and areas with hospital closures.
Co-Sponsorship Memo: Birthing Equity Act
Government record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · Jun 23, 2026 · palegis.us
“My legislation will establish a grant program to assist birth centers with certain costs related to facility operations, as well as a tax credit”
Proposes limiting contact between federal immigration authorities and state and county prisons.
Co-Sponsorship Memo: Protecting Individuals from Unlawful Detentions
Government record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · Jul 13, 2026 · palegis.us
“I will be introducing legislation that limits contact between federal immigration authorities and state and county prisons.”
Calls on the Public Utility Commission to reject PECO's proposed electric and gas rate increase.
Delaware County Legislative Delegation responds to PECO's proposed rate hikes
Public statement · Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus · Apr 1, 2026 · pahouse.com
“I call on the PUC to reject PECO's bid for an exorbitant rate increase.”

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; 6 issues covered in this race.