The Gist
Home

State

State Representative, 187th 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.

Lehigh County: Heidelberg, Lower Macungie, Lynn, Washington and Weisenberg townships; Alburtis and Macungie boroughs; and part of Upper Macungie Township (districts 3, 7 and 8).

CandidatesCompare by issue

Taxes & budget

  • Rachel CuevasDemocratic

    • Calls for tiered taxes so the wealthiest Pennsylvanians pay more, to fund programs for seniors and health care.

  • Gary DayRepublican

    • Backs the 2026-27 budget, saying it funds local priorities without asking families and businesses to pay more.In office

Public safety

  • Rachel CuevasDemocratic

    • Pledges to secure grants and funding for first responders.

  • Gary DayRepublican

    No documented position found.

Education

  • Rachel CuevasDemocratic

    • Supports more state funding for public schools.

  • Gary DayRepublican

    • Supports keeping the EITC and Opportunity Scholarship tax credits, which he says give families school choices.In office
    • Proposes moving career and technical centers from sending-district control to independent governing boards.In office

Housing

  • Rachel CuevasDemocratic

    • Supports building more affordable housing in the Lehigh Valley to bring down costs.

  • Gary DayRepublican

    No documented position found.

Economy & jobs

  • Rachel CuevasDemocratic

    • Pledges to work to lower the cost of groceries and household essentials.
    • Proposes legislation to promote apprenticeships between businesses and technical schools.

  • Gary DayRepublican

    No documented position found.

Roads & infrastructure

  • Rachel CuevasDemocratic

    No documented position found.

  • Gary DayRepublican

    • Proposes letting municipalities pool residents on an opt-in basis to negotiate lower electricity rates.In office
    • Proposes a PennDOT study of covered bridges, with warning signs where they endanger motorcyclists and cyclists.In office

Environment & parks

  • Rachel CuevasDemocratic

    • Opposes the spread of data centers and big-box warehouses; wants state standards that keep local authority.

  • Gary DayRepublican

    • Proposes camera-based litter enforcement zones with $200 civil fines that fund roadside cleanup.In office

Health & human services

  • Rachel CuevasDemocratic

    • Pledges to seek lower health insurance premiums and relief from medical debt.

  • Gary DayRepublican

    • Proposes classifying synthetic kratom and 7-OH as Schedule I controlled substances.In office

Courts & justice

  • Rachel CuevasDemocratic

    No documented position found.

  • Gary DayRepublican

    • Voted against the revised HB 1042 on second-degree murder sentencing, saying it weakened protections for victims.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; 9 issues covered in this race.