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State Representative, 161st 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: Aston, Chester and Nether Providence townships; Brookhaven, Rose Valley and Upland boroughs; part of Middletown Township (District 1 precincts 1-3 and District 2 precincts 1-2); and part of Ridley Township (Ward 1 precinct 1, Ward 2 precincts 1-3, Ward 5 precinct 1 and Ward 7 precincts 1-2).

CandidatesCompare by issue

Taxes & budget

  • John Mancinelli, Jr.Republican

    • Calls for earlier budget negotiations, more spending transparency and accountability for program results.

  • Leanne KruegerDemocratic

    • Calls for a state budget that invests in the things people need most.

Economy & jobs

  • John Mancinelli, Jr.Republican

    • Calls for addressing the cost of living and doing business, supporting public schools and helping small businesses grow.

  • Leanne KruegerDemocratic

    • Opposes PECO's proposed rate hikes and says she is fighting to reduce energy costs and hold corporations accountable.

Roads & infrastructure

  • John Mancinelli, Jr.Republican

    No documented position found.

  • Leanne KruegerDemocratic

    • Co-authored a proposal to repeal Act 12 and pause sales of public water and sewer systems to for-profit companies.In office

Environment & parks

  • John Mancinelli, Jr.Republican

    • Supports statewide data center standards to protect ratepayers and resources while keeping local land-use control.

  • Leanne KruegerDemocratic

    • Voted for eight House bills to put guardrails on data centers, none of which have passed the Senate.
    • Sponsored H.B. 994 to ban buying and selling parts of protected animal species, such as ivory, with civil penalties.In office
    • Backs state funding for PFAS removal at Ridley's water treatment plant, saying everyone deserves safe, clean water.In office

Health & human services

  • John Mancinelli, Jr.Republican

    • Calls for stronger state support for EMS and more accountability for health care funding after hospital closures.

  • Leanne KruegerDemocratic

    No documented position found.

Government & transparency

  • John Mancinelli, Jr.Republican

    • Supports giving counties time before Election Day to prepare mail ballots, with strict security and observation rules.
    • Supports keeping voter-verifiable paper ballots, pre-election equipment testing and post-election audits.

  • Leanne KruegerDemocratic

    • Supports protecting access to mail-in voting under Pennsylvania law.

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.