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State Representative, 196th 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 York County: Heidelberg, Jackson, North Codorus, Paradise and West Manchester townships; most of Dover Township (precincts 1, 3 and 4); and Dover, New Salem, Seven Valleys and Spring Grove boroughs. The same two candidates met in a May 19, 2026 special election after Seth Grove resigned, which George Margetas won; this race is for the full two-year term starting in December 2026.

CandidatesCompare by issue

Taxes & budget

  • Ron RumanDemocratic

    • Proposes replacing the local earned income tax with a personal income tax that includes investment earnings.
    • Proposes withholding officials' pay, without back pay, when the state budget is late.

  • George MargetasRepublican

    • Supports a 'taxpayer protection act' to limit future state spending growth.
    • Supports raising sales taxes to fund property tax relief.
    • Voted against the 2026-27 state budget, saying it spends too much.In office

Public safety

  • Ron RumanDemocratic

    • Raised concerns that a local police 287(g) agreement with ICE could undermine trust in police.

  • George MargetasRepublican

    • Pledges to protect Second Amendment rights and support law enforcement and first responders.

Education

  • Ron RumanDemocratic

    • Calls for reducing taxpayer funding of cyber charter schools and funding public schools adequately.
    • Proposes reforming the Penn State Board of Trustees to better represent students, parents and taxpayers.

  • George MargetasRepublican

    • Supports school vouchers and having education funding follow students.

Environment & parks

  • Ron RumanDemocratic

    • Supports making data centers pay for their electricity and repealing their equipment sales tax exemption.

  • George MargetasRepublican

    • Says, when asked about data centers, that people "should be able to do what you want in your backyard."

Health & human services

  • Ron RumanDemocratic

    No documented position found.

  • George MargetasRepublican

    • Supports measures to 'preserve the sanctity of life.'

Government & transparency

  • Ron RumanDemocratic

    • Supports open primaries for independent voters and voter ID.
    • Supports a citizens commission to redraw legislative and congressional districts.

  • George MargetasRepublican

    • Supports legislative term limits and a ban on gifts to politicians.

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; 6 issues covered in this race.