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State Representative, 174th District

Vote for
1
Term
2 years
Candidates
1
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 parts of Rhawnhurst, Pennypack, Aston-Woodbridge and Morrell Park): parts of Wards 56, 57 and 66. Uncontested: no Republican candidate is on the ballot.

Photo of Ed Neilson
Ed NeilsonOfficial portrait — PA House Democratic Caucus

Ed Neilson

DemocraticIncumbent

State representative; electrician · Philadelphia (Northeast)

The gist

  • Supports stopping legislators' pay, with no retroactive back pay, when the state budget is late.
  • Supports making voting more accessible with strong safeguards, and envisions secure electronic voting with verified ID.
  • Backed 2026-27 budget funding for road and bridge repairs through the Motor License Fund without raising taxes.In office
  • Sponsored a bill letting cities set stronger penalties for dirt bikes and other off-road vehicles on city streets.In office
  • Sponsored a bill to speed up the DUI ignition interlock license process once penalties are served.In office
  • Backed a budget provision for a Keystone Opportunity Expansion Zone to draw shipbuilding to the Navy Yard.In office
  • Supported budget pension increases for retired police, firefighters, school employees and state workers.In office
  • Co-sponsors a bill setting water-management standards to prevent and track Legionnaires' disease.In office

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

More about Ed
View sources (7)
  1. Supports stopping legislators' pay, with no retroactive back pay, when the state budget is late.

    VOTE411 Voter Guide: Pennsylvania State Representative District 174 — Ed Neilson

    Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania (VOTE411) · Question: state budget process · onyourballot.vote411.org

    “Legislators should not continue to receive pay when a full budget is not in place … that should include eliminating any retroactive back pay once an agreement is reached”
  2. Supports making voting more accessible with strong safeguards, and envisions secure electronic voting with verified ID.

    VOTE411 Voter Guide: Pennsylvania State Representative District 174 — Ed Neilson

    Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania (VOTE411) · Question: elections access and security · onyourballot.vote411.org

    “I can envision secure electronic voting options supported by verified identification”
  3. Backed 2026-27 budget funding for road and bridge repairs through the Motor License Fund without raising taxes.

    Neilson praises major 2026-27 Pa. budget investments in transportation sector

    Public statement · Office of Rep. Ed Neilson · Jul 22, 2026 · News release, July 22, 2026 · pahouse.com

    “By using the Motor License Fund for much-needed maintenance on our bridges and roads, projects can be completed faster without hurting taxpayers”
  4. Sponsored a bill letting cities set stronger penalties for dirt bikes and other off-road vehicles on city streets.

    House OKs two Neilson bills to promote safer roads

    Public statement · Office of Rep. Ed Neilson · Jun 10, 2026 · News release, June 10, 2026 · pahouse.com

    “House Bill 2337 would give cities in Pennsylvania the option to enact local ordinances with stronger penalties for off-road vehicles used on city streets”
  5. Sponsored a bill to speed up the DUI ignition interlock license process once penalties are served.

    Neilson bill to streamline the ignition interlock program heads to Gov. Shapiro

    Public statement · Office of Rep. Ed Neilson · Jul 13, 2026 · News release, July 13, 2026 · pahouse.com

    “Once a person has served their time, it shouldn't be a complicated, time-consuming process to remove the ignition interlock device”
  6. Backed a budget provision for a Keystone Opportunity Expansion Zone to draw shipbuilding to the Navy Yard.

    Neilson Secures Opportunity to Expand Shipbuilding and Create Family-Sustaining Jobs at the Philadelphia Navy Yard

    Public statement · Office of Rep. Ed Neilson · Jul 15, 2026 · News release, July 15, 2026 · pahouse.com

    “This investment gives Philadelphia another competitive advantage in attracting shipbuilding and maritime businesses to the Navy Yard”
  7. Supported budget pension increases for retired police, firefighters, school employees and state workers.

    Rep. Ed Neilson: Budget Delivers Long-Overdue Pension Relief for Retired Police Officers, Firefighters, Teachers, State Employees

    Public statement · Office of Rep. Ed Neilson · Jul 12, 2026 · News release, July 12, 2026 · pahouse.com

    “After retirement, they deserve to live with dignity and without potential financial burden.”
  8. Co-sponsors a bill setting water-management standards to prevent and track Legionnaires' disease.

    Advocates speak out in support of Smith-Wade-El, Neilson's Legionnaires' disease legislation

    Public statement · Office of Rep. Ed Neilson · Mar 25, 2026 · News release, March 25, 2026 · pahouse.com

    “We must act now to spread awareness, improve the tracking of our water systems, and increase research into this life-threatening disease.”

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.