State

State Representative, 173rd 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, in Northeast Philadelphia (including Holmesburg, Tacony and Torresdale): all of Ward 65 and parts of Wards 41, 57 and 64.

Candidates Compare by issue

Bill Griffin

Republican

Retired public school teacher and principal; real estate agent · Philadelphia (Northeast)

The gist

Pledges to support educators and strengthen classrooms in public schools.
Supports strengthening public safety and first responders; cites car thefts and break-ins raised by residents.
Supports policies to keep neighborhoods affordable, help families stay in their homes and protect seniors.
Calls for expanding access to affordable health care and lowering prescription drug costs.
Pledges support for caregivers, seniors and families' access to services.
Says his office would provide constituent services on both state and city issues.
Opposes House Bill 2632, which would replace the EITC and OSTC scholarship tax credits with a new program.In office

In office = from the candidate's own official statements or legislation as an officeholder, not their campaign.

More about Bill

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Pledges to support educators and strengthen classrooms in public schools.
Issues | Bill Griffin
Campaign website · Friends of Bill Griffin · Strong Public Schools · electbillgriffin.com
“Bill will advocate for policies that support educators, strengthen classrooms, and ensure every child has the chance to grow and thrive”
Supports strengthening public safety and first responders; cites car thefts and break-ins raised by residents.
Issues | Bill Griffin
Campaign website · Friends of Bill Griffin · Safe Neighborhoods · electbillgriffin.com
“Bill supports efforts that strengthen public safety, support first responders, and address problems before they escalate”
Campaign Chatter
News coverage · Northeast Times (PA Times Media) · Aug 1, 2026 · patimes.media
“has heard complaints about crime and quality-of-life issues such as stolen cars, car break-ins, stolen catalytic converters and loud nuisance vehicles”
Supports policies to keep neighborhoods affordable, help families stay in their homes and protect seniors.
Issues | Bill Griffin
Campaign website · Friends of Bill Griffin · Affordable Living · electbillgriffin.com
“supporting policies that keep communities affordable, help families stay in their homes, and protect seniors living on fixed incomes”
Calls for expanding access to affordable health care and lowering prescription drug costs.
Issues | Bill Griffin
Campaign website · Friends of Bill Griffin · Access to Quality Healthcare · electbillgriffin.com
“Bill will advocate for policies that expand access to affordable care, protect coverage for those who need it most, lower prescription drug costs”
Pledges support for caregivers, seniors and families' access to services.
Issues | Bill Griffin
Campaign website · Friends of Bill Griffin · Support for Seniors & Working Families · electbillgriffin.com
“Bill will fight for practical solutions that support caregivers, protect seniors, and ensure families have access to reliable resources and services”
Says his office would provide constituent services on both state and city issues.
Campaign Chatter
News coverage · Northeast Times (PA Times Media) · Aug 1, 2026 · patimes.media
“If elected, Griffin said his office will provide constituent services, related to both state and city issues.”
Opposes House Bill 2632, which would replace the EITC and OSTC scholarship tax credits with a new program.
Op-Ed: Before replacing a successful 25-year-old program, Pennsylvania families deserve the full story (by Bill Griffin)
Public statement · Northeast Times (PA Times Media) · Jul 11, 2026 · Op-ed, July 11, 2026 · patimes.media
“That is why I was disappointed to see the Pennsylvania House of Representatives vote for House Bill 2632”

Pat Gallagher

DemocraticIncumbent

State representative · Philadelphia

The gist

Sponsored a bill requiring insurers to cover colorectal cancer screenings starting at age 45 instead of 50.In office
Pledges to fight for higher wages, safe working conditions and more affordable, accessible health care.In office
Backed the Keystone Saves bill creating a voluntary retirement savings program for workers without an employer plan.In office
Proposes barring credit card swipe fees on the sales tax portion of purchases.In office
Sponsored the 2024 law banning license plate flipping devices in Pennsylvania.In office
Proposes updating the Medical Practice Act to loosen outdated limits on physician assistants (associates).In office
Calls for strong but fair safeguards against fraud in public benefit programs such as SNAP and Medicaid.In office
Proposes a Waterfront Redevelopment Grant Program for underdeveloped waterfront areas.In office

In office = from the candidate's own official statements or legislation as an officeholder, not their campaign.

More about Pat

View sources (8)

Sponsored a bill requiring insurers to cover colorectal cancer screenings starting at age 45 instead of 50.
PA House passes bill to promote early detection of colorectal cancer
Public statement · Office of Rep. Pat Gallagher · Oct 29, 2025 · News release, Oct. 29, 2025 · pahouse.com
“House Bill 1123 would update current law to reduce the age when colorectal cancer screenings are covered to 45 from 50”
Pledges to fight for higher wages, safe working conditions and more affordable, accessible health care.
Rep. Patrick Gallagher's Biography
Government record · Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus · Biography · pahouse.com
“He will fight for higher wages and safe working conditions, work to make health care more affordable and accessible”
Backed the Keystone Saves bill creating a voluntary retirement savings program for workers without an employer plan.
Mullins, Gallagher celebrate House passage of Keystone Saves Program legislation
Public statement · Office of Rep. Pat Gallagher · May 16, 2025 · News release, May 16, 2025 · pahouse.com
“an important step toward empowering workers across the Commonwealth with a voluntary retirement savings option”
Proposes barring credit card swipe fees on the sales tax portion of purchases.
Co-Sponsorship Memo: Prohibiting credit card fees on sales and use tax portion of a transaction
Government record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · Jan 28, 2026 · Co-sponsorship memo, Jan. 28, 2026 · palegis.us
“we will soon introduce legislation to prohibit credit card swipe fees on the sales tax portion of transactions”
Sponsored the 2024 law banning license plate flipping devices in Pennsylvania.
Gallagher, Scott license plate flipping device ban signed into law
Public statement · Office of Rep. Pat Gallagher · Nov 19, 2024 · News release, Nov. 19, 2024 · pahouse.com
“introduced by state Reps. Pat Gallagher, D-Phila., and Greg Scott, D-Montgomery that bans license plate flipping devices in Pennsylvania”
Proposes updating the Medical Practice Act to loosen outdated limits on physician assistants (associates).
Co-Sponsorship Memo: Physician Associate Modernization (Medical Practice Act)
Government record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · May 26, 2026 · Co-sponsorship memo, May 26, 2026 · palegis.us
“my bill will update the Medical Practice Act to reflect current care delivery models while preserving physician involvement and patient safety safeguards”
Calls for strong but fair safeguards against fraud in public benefit programs such as SNAP and Medicaid.
Testifiers detail Pennsylvania's nationwide leadership in fighting public benefits fraud
Public statement · Office of Rep. Pat Gallagher · May 7, 2026 · News release, May 7, 2026 · pahouse.com
“Safeguards should be strong and effective, but also fair and practical ensuring that eligible individuals and providers are not burdened by unnecessary barriers”
Proposes a Waterfront Redevelopment Grant Program for underdeveloped waterfront areas.
Co-Sponsorship Memo: Waterfront Redevelopment Grant Program
Government record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · Jan 22, 2025 · Co-sponsorship memo, Jan. 22, 2025 · palegis.us
“My legislation will create the Waterfront Redevelopment Grant Program to promote economic development in underdeveloped waterfront areas.”

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.