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State Representative, 16th 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.

Covers southeastern Beaver County along the Ohio River: the city of Aliquippa; the townships of Center, Harmony, Hopewell and Rochester; and the boroughs of Ambridge, Baden, Conway, East Rochester, Freedom, Monaca, Rochester and South Heights.

CandidatesCompare by issue

Taxes & budget

  • John CostanzaRepublican

    • Opposes state tax increases and mandates that he says hurt small businesses and working families.

  • Robert F. MatzieDemocratic

    • Voted for the 2026-27 state budget, saying it spends responsibly and strengthens schools.In office

Public safety

  • John CostanzaRepublican

    • Supports police and first responders and efforts to tackle drugs and crime.
    • Opposes new restrictions on the right to keep and bear arms.

  • Robert F. MatzieDemocratic

    No documented position found.

Education

  • John CostanzaRepublican

    • Supports parental rights in education, school safety and workforce-focused education.

  • Robert F. MatzieDemocratic

    • Cites public school funding increases and funding for apprenticeships and career and technical education.

Economy & jobs

  • John CostanzaRepublican

    • Says his campaign focuses on families' everyday costs and accountability from decision-makers in Harrisburg.

  • Robert F. MatzieDemocratic

    • Supports fair wages on state-funded construction projects and workplace safety protections for public employees.

Roads & infrastructure

  • John CostanzaRepublican

    No documented position found.

  • Robert F. MatzieDemocratic

    • Sponsored legislation to hold tech companies accountable for the energy their data centers use.
    • Sponsored a House-adopted resolution to study the costs and benefits of staying with grid operator PJM.In office

Environment & parks

  • John CostanzaRepublican

    No documented position found.

  • Robert F. MatzieDemocratic

    • Supports expanding nuclear power in Pennsylvania as co-chair of the Nuclear Energy Caucus.In office

Health & human services

  • John CostanzaRepublican

    No documented position found.

  • Robert F. MatzieDemocratic

    • Sponsored H.B. 2270 to use one pharmacy benefit administrator for all state-funded health programs.In office

Government & transparency

  • John CostanzaRepublican

    • Pledges to judge every decision by whether it is good for Beaver County.

  • Robert F. MatzieDemocratic

    No documented position found.

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.