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State Representative, 176th 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.

Western Monroe County: Chestnuthill, Eldred, Hamilton, Jackson, Polk, Ross, Tobyhanna and Tunkhannock townships.

CandidatesCompare by issue

Taxes & budget

  • Thomas KucerDemocratic

    • Proposes that the House and Senate draft budgets at the same time, then negotiate, to speed passage.

  • Jack RaderRepublican

    • Called the governor's 2026-27 budget proposal unsustainable, citing spending growth and Rainy Day Fund use.In office
    • Sponsored HB 2679 to set a permanent Dec. 31 deadline for Property Tax/Rent Rebate applications.In office

Education

  • Thomas KucerDemocratic

    No documented position found.

  • Jack RaderRepublican

    • Supported the 2025-26 budget's expansion of school choice scholarships for economically disadvantaged students.In office

Economy & jobs

  • Thomas KucerDemocratic

    • Supports legislation to strengthen unions and expand worker protections.
    • Supports raising Pennsylvania's minimum wage so full-time workers can afford to live in the Poconos.
    • Wants data centers that get state money to pay prevailing wages and use accredited apprenticeships.

  • Jack RaderRepublican

    No documented position found.

Roads & infrastructure

  • Thomas KucerDemocratic

    • Calls for state money so Monroe County can repair its roads.

  • Jack RaderRepublican

    • Sponsored HB 2638 requiring telecom carriers to promptly repair damaged lines and remove tree limbs.In office

Environment & parks

  • Thomas KucerDemocratic

    • Opposes developer-backed data center proposals, citing risks to gamelands, farms and well water.
    • Wants new and existing warehouses to have filtered drainage systems and solar panels.

  • Jack RaderRepublican

    • Supported ending Pennsylvania's RGGI participation, saying it will boost energy production and lower bills.In office
    • Proposes requiring large data centers to use closed-loop or other water-saving cooling systems.In office

Health & human services

  • Thomas KucerDemocratic

    No documented position found.

  • Jack RaderRepublican

    • Supports added SNAP and Medicaid monitoring and reporting requirements aimed at preventing fraud.In office

Government & transparency

  • Thomas KucerDemocratic

    • Supports state data center guardrails set with municipalities, since impacts cross township lines.

  • Jack RaderRepublican

    • Says he favors bipartisan compromise and focusing state spending on education and job creation.

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.