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State Representative, 79th 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 Blair County: the City of Altoona, Allegheny Township, Logan Township and Tunnelhill Borough (Blair County part).

CandidatesCompare by issue

Taxes & budget

  • Caleb McCoyDemocratic

    • Calls for higher taxes on corporations and billionaires to lower taxes for working people.
    • Supports HB 1257 to exempt 100% disabled veterans from property taxes.

  • Andrea C. VerobishRepublican

    • Supports the proposed Taxpayer Protection Amendment to cap state budget growth.

Public safety

  • Caleb McCoyDemocratic

    No documented position found.

  • Andrea C. VerobishRepublican

    • Introduced HB 2599 to allow carrying a firearm in a vehicle without a concealed carry permit.In office
    • Opposes Gov. Shapiro's plan to legalize recreational marijuana.In office

Education

Economy & jobs

  • Caleb McCoyDemocratic

    • Supports raising the minimum wage, expanding child care and guaranteeing parental leave.

  • Andrea C. VerobishRepublican

    • Calls for reducing regulatory burdens on small businesses and preparing students for jobs.
    • Amended HB 2300 so only truly delinquent businesses enter a real-time sales tax collection program.In office

Roads & infrastructure

  • Caleb McCoyDemocratic

    No documented position found.

  • Andrea C. VerobishRepublican

    • Proposes a fee on electricity sent through Pennsylvania to other states, funding in-state reliability credits.In office

Environment & parks

  • Caleb McCoyDemocratic

    • Supports statewide data center guidelines to strengthen municipalities' hand with developers.

  • Andrea C. VerobishRepublican

    • Opposes state data center rules that override local zoning; supports limited, targeted state oversight.

Health & human services

  • Caleb McCoyDemocratic

    • Calls for keeping rural hospitals and labor and delivery units open.

  • Andrea C. VerobishRepublican

    No documented position found.

Government & transparency

  • Caleb McCoyDemocratic

    • Supports expanding mail-in voting without yearly re-requests and counting mail ballots before Election Day.
    • Calls for fair legislative districts and an end to gerrymandering.

  • Andrea C. VerobishRepublican

    • Supports clear voter ID standards, updated voter rolls and uniform election rules across counties.

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.