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.
Taxes & budget
Bill GriffinRepublican
No documented position found.
Pat GallagherDemocratic
- Proposes barring credit card swipe fees on the sales tax portion of purchases.In office
Public safety
Bill GriffinRepublican
- Supports strengthening public safety and first responders; cites car thefts and break-ins raised by residents.
Pat GallagherDemocratic
- Sponsored the 2024 law banning license plate flipping devices in Pennsylvania.In office
Education
Bill GriffinRepublican
- Pledges to support educators and strengthen classrooms in public schools.
- Opposes House Bill 2632, which would replace the EITC and OSTC scholarship tax credits with a new program.In office
Pat GallagherDemocratic
No documented position found.
Housing
Bill GriffinRepublican
- Supports policies to keep neighborhoods affordable, help families stay in their homes and protect seniors.
Pat GallagherDemocratic
No documented position found.
Economy & jobs
Bill GriffinRepublican
No documented position found.
Pat GallagherDemocratic
- 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 a Waterfront Redevelopment Grant Program for underdeveloped waterfront areas.In office
Health & human services
Bill GriffinRepublican
- Calls for expanding access to affordable health care and lowering prescription drug costs.
- Pledges support for caregivers, seniors and families' access to services.
Pat GallagherDemocratic
- Sponsored a bill requiring insurers to cover colorectal cancer screenings starting at age 45 instead of 50.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- Proposes updating the Medical Practice Act to loosen outdated limits on physician assistants (associates).In office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
Government & transparency
Bill GriffinRepublican
- Says his office would provide constituent services on both state and city issues.
Pat GallagherDemocratic
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; 7 issues covered in this race.