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State Representative, 2nd 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.

Erie County only. The incumbent holds both the Democratic and Republican nominations.

Photo of Bob Merski
Bob MerskiOfficial portrait — Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Bob Merski

Democratic/RepublicanIncumbent

State representative · Erie

The gist

  • Co-sponsored a law, signed in July 2026, creating county registries of property-owner contacts to address blight.In office
  • Proposes keeping Social Security cost-of-living raises from disqualifying seniors from the Property Tax/Rent Rebate.In office
  • Proposes leasing parts of the Lake Erie bed for hydropower, solar and wind energy projects.In office
  • Proposes requiring employers with 50+ workers to consider flexible work requests in good faith.In office
  • Sponsored a bill tightening licensing and disclosure rules for public insurance adjusters; it passed the House.In office
  • Proposes requiring municipal and local authorities to publish board member names, terms and contact information online.In office
  • Proposes letting local police departments buy used State Police vehicles at a fixed price before public auction.In office
  • Proposes reduced-fee driver's licenses and ID cards for retirees with annual incomes of $29,906 or less.In office

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

More about Bob
View sources (8)
  1. Co-sponsored a law, signed in July 2026, creating county registries of property-owner contacts to address blight.

    Merski leads effort to fight blight as Shapiro signs transparency reforms into law

    Public statement · Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus · Jul 20, 2026 · pahouse.com

    “Putting a responsible contact behind every parcel ends the runaround that lets neglect linger.”
  2. Proposes keeping Social Security cost-of-living raises from disqualifying seniors from the Property Tax/Rent Rebate.

    Co-sponsorship memo: Permanently Excluding Social Security COLA Raises from PTTR

    Government record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · Dec 2, 2024 · palegis.us

    “permanently retain eligibility for households whose income limit is exceeded solely due to a Social Security COLA.”
  3. Proposes leasing parts of the Lake Erie bed for hydropower, solar and wind energy projects.

    Co-sponsorship memo: Lake Erie Energy Development Act

    Government record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · Dec 5, 2024 · palegis.us

    “leased by the Commonwealth for the development of hydropower, solar, and wind energy generation systems.”
  4. Proposes requiring employers with 50+ workers to consider flexible work requests in good faith.

    Co-sponsorship memo: Flexible Working Arrangements Act

    Government record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · Dec 3, 2024 · palegis.us

    “requires that employers with 50 or more employees in the Commonwealth consider in good faith the request of an employee for a flexible working arrangement”
  5. Sponsored a bill tightening licensing and disclosure rules for public insurance adjusters; it passed the House.

    House unanimously passes Merski's measure to tighten rules for public adjusters

    Public statement · Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus · Feb 4, 2026 · pahouse.com

    “This bill brings needed clarity and accountability to the public adjuster profession so homeowners can get fair, transparent help when recovering from property loss.”
  6. Proposes requiring municipal and local authorities to publish board member names, terms and contact information online.

    Co-sponsorship memo: Transparency in Government Authorities

    Government record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · Dec 2, 2024 · palegis.us

    “require public authorities to make certain information regarding their boards publicly accessible.”
  7. Proposes letting local police departments buy used State Police vehicles at a fixed price before public auction.

    Co-sponsorship memo: Help Our Local Police – Sale of Used PSP Vehicles

    Government record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · Dec 2, 2024 · palegis.us

    “selling used state police pursuit vehicles directly to our local and regional police departments at a fixed price prior to any public auction.”
  8. Proposes reduced-fee driver's licenses and ID cards for retirees with annual incomes of $29,906 or less.

    Co-sponsorship memo: Reduced fee driver's licenses and identification cards for qualifying retirees

    Government record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · Aug 11, 2025 · palegis.us

    “retirees with an annual income of $29,906 or less would be eligible for a reduced fee driver’s license or identification card.”

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