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State Representative, 77th 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.

Covers western Centre County: Philipsburg and Port Matilda boroughs; Ferguson, Halfmoon, Huston, Patton, Rush, Taylor and Worth townships; and part of State College borough (the Northwest, South 1, East Central 2, West 1, West 2 and West Central 2 precincts).

CandidatesCompare by issue

Taxes & budget

  • Michelle SchellbergRepublican

    • Calls for schools to publish detailed spending data and for state audits of struggling districts.

  • H Scott ConklinDemocratic

    • Backed the 2025-26 budget's school funding without tax hikes; says lawmakers should go unpaid until budgets pass.
    • Introduced a resolution (H.R. 457) calling for a state study of a property tax exemption for seniors.In office

Public safety

  • Michelle SchellbergRepublican

    • Lists protecting Second Amendment rights and supporting police and first responders as priorities.

  • H Scott ConklinDemocratic

    No documented position found.

Education

  • Michelle SchellbergRepublican

    • Suggested, per the Centre Daily Times, that teachers post curriculum online so parents can opt children out.

  • H Scott ConklinDemocratic

    • Sponsored H.B. 41 to let the PIAA hold separate playoffs for boundary and non-boundary schools; it passed the House.In office

Housing

  • Michelle SchellbergRepublican

    No documented position found.

  • H Scott ConklinDemocratic

    • Sponsored bills to curb house flipping and to set aside former state prison land for county affordable housing.In office

Economy & jobs

  • Michelle SchellbergRepublican

    • Calls for more energy production, from fossil fuels and renewables, to bring prices down.

  • H Scott ConklinDemocratic

    • Supports raising the state minimum wage.In office
    • Proposes updating the Human Relations Act to set standards for employer investigations of harassment claims.In office

Roads & infrastructure

  • Michelle SchellbergRepublican

    • Says local communities should have a strong say on data centers, with possible state guidelines.

  • H Scott ConklinDemocratic

    No documented position found.

Environment & parks

  • Michelle SchellbergRepublican

    • Proposes reducing pesticide and land-use regulations on farmers to lower food costs.

  • H Scott ConklinDemocratic

    • Backs House-passed data center rules that bar shifting costs to households and require cleaner energy.

Government & transparency

  • Michelle SchellbergRepublican

    • Supports federal legislation requiring proof of citizenship to vote.

  • H Scott ConklinDemocratic

    • Sponsored H.B. 37 to let counties pre-canvass mail-in ballots up to a week before Election Day; it passed the House.

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.