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State Representative, 22nd 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 only: part of Allentown (wards 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 14 and 15 and parts of wards 8 and 11) and part of Salisbury Township (wards 1 and 2 and part of ward 3).

Taxes & budget

  • Ce Ce GerlachDemocratic

    • Proposes taxing the wealthiest and closing the "Delaware loophole" to fund schools and housing.
    • Supports withholding state representatives' pay when the budget deadline is missed.
  • Robert E Smith JrRepublican

    • Proposes cutting property taxes with revenue from regulated skill games and legal recreational cannabis.
    • Supports suspending legislators' pay and keeping them in session until a budget passes.

Public safety

  • Ce Ce GerlachDemocratic

    No documented position found.

  • Robert E Smith JrRepublican

    • Said he would vote for a state ban on masks for federal immigration officers.

Housing

  • Ce Ce GerlachDemocratic

    • Supports rent stabilization limiting how much landlords can raise rent.
    • Supports renewed home repair funding and inclusive zoning laws.
  • Robert E Smith JrRepublican

    • Says unsheltered residents need permanent homes, not just relocation; backs more state housing aid.

Economy & jobs

  • Ce Ce GerlachDemocratic

    • Proposes banning the use of artificial intelligence to set or raise grocery prices.
  • Robert E Smith JrRepublican

    • Calls for abolishing Allentown's Neighborhood Improvement Zone and returning its tax revenue to residents.

Environment & parks

  • Ce Ce GerlachDemocratic

    • Proposes requiring data centers to use renewable energy, study impacts and sign community benefit agreements.
  • Robert E Smith JrRepublican

    • Supports zoning that protects open space and makes developers pay for infrastructure upgrades.

Health & human services

  • Ce Ce GerlachDemocratic

    No documented position found.

  • Robert E Smith JrRepublican

    • Supports wider Narcan access, including in libraries, and restoring drug education in schools.

Government & transparency

  • Ce Ce GerlachDemocratic

    • Supports automatic and same-day voter registration, expanded early voting and an Election Day holiday.
    • Supports campaign finance reform and publicly funded elections.
  • Robert E Smith JrRepublican

    • Pledges regular town halls, office hours, listening sessions and bilingual district office staff.

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.