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State Representative, 55th 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.

Entirely in Westmoreland County: the cities of Arnold and New Kensington and part of Lower Burrell; Murrysville; Bell, Loyalhanna, Salem, Upper Burrell and Washington townships and part of Derry Township; and the boroughs of Avonmore, Delmont, Export, New Alexandria and Oklahoma.

CandidatesCompare by issue

Taxes & budget

  • Davon MagwoodDemocratic

    • Supports legalizing marijuana to create a tax base that could fund schools and lower property taxes.

  • Jill CooperRepublican

    • Voted for the 2026-27 budget but says it still spends too much and leaves a structural deficit.

Public safety

  • Davon MagwoodDemocratic

    No documented position found.

  • Jill CooperRepublican

    • Supports ending sanctuary city policies in Pennsylvania.
    • Joined a Westmoreland delegation bill to require lifetime registration for youths released from the state SRTP program.In office

Education

  • Davon MagwoodDemocratic

    • Calls for well-funded schools so every child gets a quality education regardless of zip code.

  • Jill CooperRepublican

    • Supports expanding school choice.
    • Sponsored HB 2152, enacted in the 2026-27 budget, helping districts that choose later school start times.In office

Housing

  • Davon MagwoodDemocratic

    • Supports policies that hold landlords accountable for exploitation and substandard rentals.

  • Jill CooperRepublican

    No documented position found.

Economy & jobs

  • Davon MagwoodDemocratic

    • Supports raising the minimum wage and says he would co-sponsor a bill to do so.
    • Supports lowering Pennsylvania's Corporate Net Income tax rate to attract businesses.

  • Jill CooperRepublican

    No documented position found.

Environment & parks

  • Davon MagwoodDemocratic

    • Supports holding corporate polluters accountable and investing in renewable energy and public transit.

  • Jill CooperRepublican

    • Supports natural gas, coal and other energy production to keep energy prices low.

Health & human services

  • Davon MagwoodDemocratic

    • Supports lowering prescription drug costs, protecting and expanding Medicaid, and mental health access.
    • Supports protecting access to legal abortion.

  • Jill CooperRepublican

    • Seeks a law letting ambulance services bill insurers directly instead of billing patients.

Government & transparency

  • Davon MagwoodDemocratic

    No documented position found.

  • Jill CooperRepublican

    • Sponsored a bill to suspend pay for the governor, lieutenant governor and legislators during budget impasses.

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; 8 issues covered in this race.