State

State Representative, 57th 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 city of Greensburg, Hempfield Township, and the boroughs of Adamsburg, Arona, New Stanton, South Greensburg, Southwest Greensburg and Youngwood.

Candidates Compare by issue

Rob Francis

Democratic

Human services worker · Greensburg

The gist

Supports the proposed Pennsylvania Universal Healthcare Act and coverage for all Pennsylvanians.
Supports capping rent increases unless tenants get a benefit such as property improvements.
Calls for an immediate increase in the $7.25 state minimum wage.
Wants to review mandatory sentencing guidelines for disproportionate effects on people of color.
Supports policies to legalize adult recreational cannabis.
Supports higher teacher pay and equitable school funding.
Supports abortion rights and leaving reproductive health decisions to patients and doctors.
Supports environmental protection policies.

More about Rob

View sources (2)

Supports the proposed Pennsylvania Universal Healthcare Act and coverage for all Pennsylvanians.
The Issues - Vote Rob Francis
Campaign website · Vote Rob Francis · Healthcare · voterobfrancis.com
“ensuring all Pennsylvanians receive medical coverage from the time they enter this world until the time they leave it”
Incumbent Nelson, newcomer Francis seek 57th District seat in state House
News coverage · TribLive · Sep 19, 2026 · triblive.com
“I think that is something I would support”
Supports capping rent increases unless tenants get a benefit such as property improvements.
Incumbent Nelson, newcomer Francis seek 57th District seat in state House
News coverage · TribLive · Sep 19, 2026 · triblive.com
“Francis thinks there should be a cap on how much landlords can raise rent without some kind of a benefit for the tenant”
Calls for an immediate increase in the $7.25 state minimum wage.
The Issues - Vote Rob Francis
Campaign website · Vote Rob Francis · Affordability · voterobfrancis.com
“Rob will fight for an immediate increase in the minimum wage”
Wants to review mandatory sentencing guidelines for disproportionate effects on people of color.
Incumbent Nelson, newcomer Francis seek 57th District seat in state House
News coverage · TribLive · Sep 19, 2026 · triblive.com
“He said he'd like to examine existing sentencing guidelines that call for mandatory penalties and if they're disproportionately affecting people of color and others.”
Supports policies to legalize adult recreational cannabis.
The Issues - Vote Rob Francis
Campaign website · Vote Rob Francis · Cannabis Reform … Cannabis Reform · voterobfrancis.com
“Cannabis is not dangerous. People who use it are not criminals. … Rob will support policies that bring these benefits to our state and district”
Supports higher teacher pay and equitable school funding.
The Issues - Vote Rob Francis
Campaign website · Vote Rob Francis · Public Education · voterobfrancis.com
“Fighting to raise pay for teachers, equitably allocating funds for schools to provide modern and effective resources”
Supports abortion rights and leaving reproductive health decisions to patients and doctors.
The Issues - Vote Rob Francis
Campaign website · Vote Rob Francis · Protecting Reproductive Freedoms · voterobfrancis.com
“Rob will always vigorously defend the rights for women to choose what to do with their bodies”
Supports environmental protection policies.
The Issues - Vote Rob Francis
Campaign website · Vote Rob Francis · Environmental Protection · voterobfrancis.com
“Rob will support policies to protect the environment and keep our district clean and residents healthy.”

Eric Nelson

RepublicanIncumbent

State representative · Hempfield Township

The gist

Calls for addressing medical liability costs that he says push hospitals out of maternity care.
Supports charging other states a grid maintenance fee for Pennsylvania power to lower residents' bills.
Calls for funding reading programs so that fourth graders learn to read.
Supports eliminating Pennsylvania's inheritance tax.
Opposes broad-based tax increases and calls for a timely budget that lives within the state's means.In office
Sponsored House-passed HB 1108 so parents who get a raise can keep child care aid with a higher copay.In office
Proposes fast-track state permits for data center developers who meet or exceed environmental design standards.In office
Leads a Westmoreland delegation bill to revise the state program for juvenile sex offenders at Torrance State Hospital.In office

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

More about Eric

View sources (6)

Calls for addressing medical liability costs that he says push hospitals out of maternity care.
Incumbent Nelson, newcomer Francis seek 57th District seat in state House
News coverage · TribLive · Sep 19, 2026 · triblive.com
“Hospitals have been stepping away from maternity services because of liabilities”
Supports charging other states a grid maintenance fee for Pennsylvania power to lower residents' bills.
Incumbent Nelson, newcomer Francis seek 57th District seat in state House
News coverage · TribLive · Sep 19, 2026 · triblive.com
“a proposal to charge a grid maintenance fee to states that use electricity generated in Pennsylvania could result in lower bills for residents”
Calls for funding reading programs so that fourth graders learn to read.
Incumbent Nelson, newcomer Francis seek 57th District seat in state House
News coverage · TribLive · Sep 19, 2026 · triblive.com
“Education is a priority, specifically funding reading programs to ensure fourth graders learn how to read”
Supports eliminating Pennsylvania's inheritance tax.
Incumbent Nelson, newcomer Francis seek 57th District seat in state House
News coverage · TribLive · Sep 19, 2026 · triblive.com
“Ideally, Nelson would like to see Pennsylvania's inheritance tax eliminated. … It's an unjust second taking that the government is doing”
Opposes broad-based tax increases and calls for a timely budget that lives within the state's means.
About Rep. Eric Nelson
Government record · Pennsylvania House Republican Caucus · repnelson.com
“committed to opposing broad-based tax increases”
Nelson: Shapiro's Budget is More of the Same
Public statement · Office of Rep. Eric Nelson · Feb 4, 2026 · repnelson.com
“Government must live within its means, and our citizens deserve a timely budget.”
Sponsored House-passed HB 1108 so parents who get a raise can keep child care aid with a higher copay.
Nelson, Giral Bill to Eliminate Child Care Cliff Advances
Public statement · Office of Rep. Eric Nelson · Oct 1, 2025 · repnelson.com
“enables lower-income parents to accept a raise AND keep essential child care”
Proposes fast-track state permits for data center developers who meet or exceed environmental design standards.
Nelson, Mullens, Barton Announce Accelerated Data Center Permitting Legislation
Public statement · Pennsylvania House Republican Caucus · Apr 28, 2025 · repnelson.com
“directs the PA Department of Environmental Protection to generate approved earthwork, stormwater and air permits to developers who commit to improved environmental outcomes”
Leads a Westmoreland delegation bill to revise the state program for juvenile sex offenders at Torrance State Hospital.
Co-Sponsorship Memo: Revising Pennsylvania's Sexual Responsibility and Treatment Program (Strengthening Megan's Law & Act 21 Reform)
Government record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · palegis.us
“Together we will close the Megan's Law gap, develop structured step-down facilities, enhance community/ law enforcement awareness”

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.