The Gist
Home

State

State Representative, 169th 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.

Southwestern York County: Codorus, Manheim, Penn, Shrewsbury and West Manheim townships, and Glen Rock, Hanover, Jefferson, New Freedom and Railroad boroughs.

CandidatesCompare by issue

Taxes & budget

  • Austin GrahamDemocratic

    • Calls for earlier public review of budget proposals and accountability for on-time budgets.
    • Proposes tying state spending to clear outcomes.

  • Kate A. KlunkRepublican

    • Voted against the 2026-27 state budget, saying it spends too much.In office
    • Sponsored HB 2470, a sales tax holiday on Halloween purchases.In office
    • Lists immediate and permanent property tax relief among her priorities.In office

Education

  • Austin GrahamDemocratic

    No documented position found.

  • Kate A. KlunkRepublican

    • Criticized the governor's budget for not joining the federal school choice tax credit.In office
    • Joined a pledge on protecting women's sports and Title IX's 'original intent.'In office

Housing

  • Austin GrahamDemocratic

    • Calls for more housing supply by allowing a wider range of housing types in suitable areas.

  • Kate A. KlunkRepublican

    No documented position found.

Roads & infrastructure

  • Austin GrahamDemocratic

    • Calls for modernizing utility systems to cut waste and lower costs.

  • Kate A. KlunkRepublican

    No documented position found.

Environment & parks

  • Austin GrahamDemocratic

    • Supports state baseline standards on data centers' water, energy and land use.

  • Kate A. KlunkRepublican

    No documented position found.

Health & human services

  • Austin GrahamDemocratic

    • Supports more competition and transparency in health care and essential services.

  • Kate A. KlunkRepublican

    • Sponsored a bill to swap some child care staff degree requirements for experience-based qualifications.In office
    • Co-sponsors a $5 million state grant program for new child care providers.In office

Government & transparency

  • Austin GrahamDemocratic

    • Supports strong voter ID rules along with expanded early voting and faster mail-ballot processing.

  • Kate A. KlunkRepublican

    • Proposes a parent and provider board to oversee the state Office of Child Development and Early Learning.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; 7 issues covered in this race.