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State Representative, 5th 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.

Northern and western Berks County: Bern, Bethel, Centre, Heidelberg, Jefferson, Lower Heidelberg, Marion, North Heidelberg, Ontelaunee, Penn, Perry, South Heidelberg and Tulpehocken townships, part of Spring Township, and the boroughs of Bernville, Centerport, Leesport, Robesonia, Shoemakersville, Wernersville and Womelsdorf.

CandidatesCompare by issue

Taxes & budget

  • Andres R. F. SantiagoDemocratic

    No documented position found.

  • Eric WeaknechtRepublican

    • Opposed the governor's 2025-26 budget plan, calling it bad fiscal policy to spend state savings.In office

Public safety

  • Andres R. F. SantiagoDemocratic

    No documented position found.

  • Eric WeaknechtRepublican

    • Hosted a hearing on police recruitment and retention; calls recruiting officers critical to safety.In office

Education

  • Andres R. F. SantiagoDemocratic

    • Calls for more public school funding, paid student teaching and recruitment for understaffed districts.

  • Eric WeaknechtRepublican

    • Supports protecting female-only sports categories, citing fairness and competitive integrity.In office

Housing

  • Andres R. F. SantiagoDemocratic

    • Proposes widening first-time homebuyer programs and capping rent and mobile home lot fee increases.

  • Eric WeaknechtRepublican

    No documented position found.

Economy & jobs

  • Andres R. F. SantiagoDemocratic

    • Proposes capping utility rate increases and having the PUC audit requested rate hikes.
    • Supports raising the state minimum wage to $15 and ending lower pay allowed for disabled workers.

  • Eric WeaknechtRepublican

    • Opposes new energy taxes and supports developing Pennsylvania's own energy resources.In office

Environment & parks

  • Andres R. F. SantiagoDemocratic

    • Supports a state law requiring data center developers to disclose energy, water, noise and environmental impacts.

  • Eric WeaknechtRepublican

    • Proposes letting Pennsylvania elk hunting license holders transfer their licenses to other eligible hunters.In office

Health & human services

  • Andres R. F. SantiagoDemocratic

    • Supports Medicare for all as a goal and working to lower prescription drug prices in the meantime.
    • Supports abortion rights, saying the decision belongs to a pregnant person and their provider.

  • Eric WeaknechtRepublican

    No documented position found.

Government & transparency

  • Andres R. F. SantiagoDemocratic

    • Supports opening primary elections to independent voters and more election oversight through policy and technology.

  • Eric WeaknechtRepublican

    • Names public safety, government transparency and careful use of tax dollars as his priorities.

Courts & justice

  • Andres R. F. SantiagoDemocratic

    No documented position found.

  • Eric WeaknechtRepublican

    • Sponsored a bill making it a crime to knowingly expose a first responder to fentanyl.In office

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; 9 issues covered in this race.