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State Representative, 170th 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.

Philadelphia only (ballot split 2-xx-170, in the 2nd Congressional District; no State Senate race on these ballots). Per the member's official site: the Northeast Philadelphia neighborhoods of Parkwood, Somerton and parts of Millbrook, Morrell and Chalfont.

CandidatesCompare by issue

Taxes & budget

  • Rob GurtcheffDemocratic

    • Proposes amending the state constitution to remove the Uniformity Clause so taxes can be less regressive.

  • Martina WhiteRepublican

    • Voted for the 2026-27 budget, citing pension COLAs for retired police and firefighters and limits on spending.In office

Public safety

  • Rob GurtcheffDemocratic

    • Wants PTSD recognized as an injury for first responders.

  • Martina WhiteRepublican

    • Sponsored HB 1831 to prohibit wearing face coverings and masks in public spaces.In office

Education

  • Rob GurtcheffDemocratic

    • Supports fully funding public schools, with more fiscal accountability, to help lower property taxes.

  • Martina WhiteRepublican

    • Sponsored an education omnibus bill expanding EITC scholarships by $200 million and adding new tax credits.In office
    • Proposes a tax credit of up to $8,000 per child a year for non-public school expenses.In office
    • Sponsors HB 158 to reserve women's and girls' school and college teams for biological females.In office

Economy & jobs

  • Rob GurtcheffDemocratic

    • Wants to stop utility rate hikes and supports raising the minimum wage.

  • Martina WhiteRepublican

    No documented position found.

Roads & infrastructure

  • Rob GurtcheffDemocratic

    • Calls for full SEPTA funding in the Northeast and state money to repair local roads.

  • Martina WhiteRepublican

    • Proposes requiring at least 82% of Pennsylvania's electricity to come from non-intermittent sources.In office

Environment & parks

  • Rob GurtcheffDemocratic

    • Supports state laws on the water, energy and land-use impacts of data centers.

  • Martina WhiteRepublican

    No documented position found.

Health & human services

  • Rob GurtcheffDemocratic

    • Calls for full disclosure of healthcare costs in advance.

  • Martina WhiteRepublican

    No documented position found.

Government & transparency

  • Rob GurtcheffDemocratic

    • Says Pennsylvania's voting system is secure and any voter ID documents should be free.

  • Martina WhiteRepublican

    No documented position found.

Courts & justice

  • Rob GurtcheffDemocratic

    No documented position found.

  • Martina WhiteRepublican

    • Urged the House to pass a new second-degree murder sentencing law after mandatory life was struck down.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; 9 issues covered in this race.