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State Representative, 23rd 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.

Allegheny County only, entirely within the City of Pittsburgh: parts of Wards 4, 7, 14 and 15 (Squirrel Hill, Shadyside, Greenfield, parts of Oakland, Point Breeze and Regent Square). Uncontested: no Republican candidate is on the ballot.

Photo of Dan Frankel
Dan FrankelOfficial portrait — Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Dan Frankel

DemocraticIncumbent

State representative · Pittsburgh (Squirrel Hill)

The gist

  • Proposes requiring annual health-provider counseling for parents seeking school vaccine exemptions.In office
  • Sponsored a bill extending the indoor smoking ban to most bars, clubs and casinos and to e-cigarettes.In office
  • Co-sponsors legislation to legalize, tax and regulate adult-use cannabis.In office
  • Sponsored a House-passed bill letting terminally ill patients use medical cannabis in hospitals.In office
  • Sponsored bills to expand hate-crime protections and law enforcement tools against hate crimes.In office
  • Supports the Fairness Act to bar discrimination against LGBTQ+ Pennsylvanians.In office
  • Calls for continued state funding of community violence intervention and prevention programs.In office
  • Backs state security grants for houses of worship and other nonprofits.In office
  • Calls for new revenue, such as taxing skill games or legalizing cannabis, to fund transit, health care and child care.In office
  • Proposes an optional pay-per-mile road fee pilot for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.In office

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

More about Dan
View sources (9)
  1. Proposes requiring annual health-provider counseling for parents seeking school vaccine exemptions.

    Co-Sponsorship Memo: Ensuring Parental Access to Current Vaccine Information Act

    Government record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · Jun 17, 2026 · palegis.us

    “Our bill would require parents seeking a vaccine requirement exemption to receive annual counseling from a health care provider”
    Frankel blasts RFK Jr. campaign of misinformation at Harrisburg rally, warns it puts Pennsylvania children at risk

    Public statement · Office of Rep. Dan Frankel · Jan 21, 2026 · pahouse.com

    “routine childhood immunizations are safe, effective and essential to preventing serious and sometimes deadly diseases”
  2. Sponsored a bill extending the indoor smoking ban to most bars, clubs and casinos and to e-cigarettes.

    Frankel bill to protect workers from secondhand smoke clears committee with bipartisan support

    Public statement · Office of Rep. Dan Frankel · Sep 30, 2025 · pahouse.com

    “Democrats and Republicans agree that a blackjack dealer's lungs deserve the same protection as an office worker's”
  3. Co-sponsors legislation to legalize, tax and regulate adult-use cannabis.

    PA House members call on Senate to stop obstructing much needed cannabis legalization

    Public statement · Office of Rep. Dan Frankel · Feb 4, 2026 · pahouse.com

    “Once the Senate sends us a bill, we can negotiate a regulatory framework that puts Pennsylvania back in the driver's seat.”
  4. Sponsored a House-passed bill letting terminally ill patients use medical cannabis in hospitals.

    Frankel Bill to Give Terminally Ill Patients Access to Medical Cannabis in Hospitals Passes House with Bipartisan Support

    Public statement · Office of Rep. Dan Frankel · Jun 1, 2026 · pahouse.com

    “give some very sick people the chance to spend their final days conscious, comfortable and connected to the people they love”
  5. Sponsored bills to expand hate-crime protections and law enforcement tools against hate crimes.

    Frankel Hails Committee Approval of Anti-Hate Crime Bills Amid Rising Extremism

    Public statement · Office of Rep. Dan Frankel · Mar 10, 2026 · pahouse.com

    “The people of Pennsylvania deserve laws that match the seriousness of the threats we face.”
  6. Supports the Fairness Act to bar discrimination against LGBTQ+ Pennsylvanians.

    Frankel Hails Committee Approval of Anti-Hate Crime Bills Amid Rising Extremism

    Public statement · Office of Rep. Dan Frankel · Mar 10, 2026 · pahouse.com

    “The Fairness Act helps ensure that opportunity in Pennsylvania is truly open to all”
  7. Calls for continued state funding of community violence intervention and prevention programs.

    PA Safe Caucus highlights violence intervention and prevention programs

    Public statement · Office of Rep. Dan Frankel · Jun 9, 2026 · pahouse.com

    “we must continue investing in these proven strategies and ensure VIP programs have the resources they need to succeed”
  8. Backs state security grants for houses of worship and other nonprofits.

    Frankel applauds budget agreement, says PA House should send it to governor while urging action on revenue policies

    Public statement · Office of Rep. Dan Frankel · Jul 12, 2026 · pahouse.com

    “I fight every year to ensure that community organizations have the support they need to keep Pennsylvanians safe”
  9. Calls for new revenue, such as taxing skill games or legalizing cannabis, to fund transit, health care and child care.

    Frankel applauds budget agreement, says PA House should send it to governor while urging action on revenue policies

    Public statement · Office of Rep. Dan Frankel · Jul 12, 2026 · pahouse.com

    “Now we need to finish the job by passing the revenue measures that will allow us to make the investments Pennsylvanians are counting on.”
  10. Proposes an optional pay-per-mile road fee pilot for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

    Co-Sponsorship Memo: Mileage-Based User Fee Pilot Program For EVs and PHEVs

    Government record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · Aug 24, 2026 · palegis.us

    “My legislation would give EV and PHEV owners the choice to pay based on how much they actually drive”

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