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State Representative, 165th 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: Media, Morton and Swarthmore boroughs, Springfield and Upper Providence townships, and the southern part of Marple Township (Ward 4 precinct 2 and Wards 5-7).

CandidatesCompare by issue

Taxes & budget

  • Deirdre McClearyRepublican

    • Opposes tax increases she calls harmful to families and seniors.

  • Jennifer O'MaraDemocratic

    • Supports requiring a vote on a budget bill within a set time after the other chamber sends it over.

Public safety

Education

  • Deirdre McClearyRepublican

    No documented position found.

  • Jennifer O'MaraDemocratic

    • Backed a provision in HB 1505, passed by both chambers, requiring schools to notify parents of bullying incidents.In office

Housing

  • Deirdre McClearyRepublican

    • Opposes home-purchase aid for people in the U.S. illegally; wants housing programs reserved for legal residents.

  • Jennifer O'MaraDemocratic

    No documented position found.

Economy & jobs

  • Deirdre McClearyRepublican

    • Pledges to address affordability and help small businesses grow.

  • Jennifer O'MaraDemocratic

    • Calls for a higher minimum wage, a state paid family leave program, and investment in transit and affordable housing.
    • Sponsored the Family Care Act (HB 200), passed by the House, to create paid family and medical leave insurance.In office

Environment & parks

  • Deirdre McClearyRepublican

    No documented position found.

  • Jennifer O'MaraDemocratic

    • Supports state data center laws on energy and water use, plus model local ordinances (HB 2151).

Health & human services

  • Deirdre McClearyRepublican

    • Pledges to support seniors.

  • Jennifer O'MaraDemocratic

    • Sponsored the PARENT Act (HB 836), passed by the House, barring state policies that limit access to IVF.In office
    • Sponsored the House bill to join the Interstate Counseling Compact; the Senate version passed both chambers.In office

Government & transparency

  • Deirdre McClearyRepublican

    No documented position found.

  • Jennifer O'MaraDemocratic

    • Supports expanding early and mail-in voting, automatic voter registration, and letting independents vote in primaries.

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.