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State Representative, 177th 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 the River Wards and lower Northeast (including Bridesburg, Port Richmond and parts of Fishtown, Kensington, Frankford and Wissinoming): parts of Wards 23, 25, 31, 41, 45, 55 and 62.

CandidatesCompare by issue

Taxes & budget

  • Robyn BirdRepublican

    • Pledges to protect homeowners and seniors from high property taxes and rising utility costs.

  • Joe HohensteinDemocratic

    • Calls for a tax structure that makes large corporations pay their fair share.

Public safety

  • Robyn BirdRepublican

    • Supports law enforcement and first responders, including more resources and staffing for firefighters and paramedics.
    • Pledges safer and cleaner streets in the River Wards.

  • Joe HohensteinDemocratic

    • Sponsored a bill creating grants for security measures to protect transit workers.In office

Education

  • Robyn BirdRepublican

    • Supports strengthening public schools and expanding school choice.

  • Joe HohensteinDemocratic

    • Lists full, fair funding for Philadelphia schools among his top priorities.In office

Economy & jobs

  • Robyn BirdRepublican

    • Supports growing union and manufacturing jobs.

  • Joe HohensteinDemocratic

    • Co-sponsored a bill creating an Office of New Pennsylvanians to attract and retain immigrants.In office
    • Sponsored a bill voiding contract clauses that make construction contractors liable for others' negligence.In office

Environment & parks

  • Robyn BirdRepublican

    No documented position found.

  • Joe HohensteinDemocratic

    • Co-sponsors a bill banning pesticides containing PFAS 'forever chemicals' where safer alternatives exist.In office

Health & human services

  • Robyn BirdRepublican

    • Supports protecting access to affordable health care and prescription drugs.

  • Joe HohensteinDemocratic

    • Proposes a task force and technology to remove barriers people with disabilities face in state programs.In office
    • Proposes an optional $5 donation at PennDOT online renewals to fund services for deaf and hard of hearing people.In office

Courts & justice

  • Robyn BirdRepublican

    No documented position found.

  • Joe HohensteinDemocratic

    • Co-sponsors a bill letting the Human Relations Commission document complaints about ICE civil-liberties violations.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; 7 issues covered in this race.