State Representative, 8th District · 2026 General Election

Rick Telesz

Democratic

Farmer · Volant, Lawrence County

The gist

Supports unions' right to organize and bargain for workers.
Calls healthcare a human right and pledges to push for affordable healthcare for all Pennsylvanians.
Says farmers and small local businesses should be prioritized over large corporations.
Calls for ending tariffs he says hurt local farmers.
Lists reliable broadband access among his campaign priorities.In office

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

More about Rick

View sources (3)

Supports unions' right to organize and bargain for workers.
Rick Telesz, Your Candidate for PA House of Representatives District 8
Campaign website · Rick Telesz campaign · Where I stand · rickforstaterep.com
“Unions have a right to organize and bargain for their workers.”
Rick Telesz - Butler County Democratic Committee
Public statement · Butler County Democratic Committee · butlerpadems.org
“creating more strong union jobs”
Calls healthcare a human right and pledges to push for affordable healthcare for all Pennsylvanians.
Rick Telesz, Your Candidate for PA House of Representatives District 8
Campaign website · Rick Telesz campaign · Where I stand · rickforstaterep.com
“Healthcare is a human right. If I’m elected, I will fight for quality, affordable healthcare for all Pennsylvanians.”
Rick Telesz - Butler County Democratic Committee
Public statement · Butler County Democratic Committee · butlerpadems.org
“ensuring access to healthcare and education”
Says farmers and small local businesses should be prioritized over large corporations.
Rick Telesz, Your Candidate for PA House of Representatives District 8
Campaign website · Rick Telesz campaign · Where I stand · rickforstaterep.com
“Mom and pop shops and services are the backbone of our economy. They should be prioritized, not put second to greedy corporate billionaires.”
Rick Telesz (campaign sign-up page)
Campaign website · Rick Telesz campaign · heidiathome.kit.com
“committed to advocating for fair policies that benefit farmers, families, and communities”
Calls for ending tariffs he says hurt local farmers.
Rick Telesz, Your Candidate for PA House of Representatives District 8
Campaign website · Rick Telesz campaign · About Rick · rickforstaterep.com
“End unfair tariffs that hurt local farmers.”
Lists reliable broadband access among his campaign priorities.
Rick Telesz - Butler County Democratic Committee
Public statement · Butler County Democratic Committee · butlerpadems.org
“providing reliable broadband access”

Aaron Bernstine

RepublicanIncumbent

State representative; small business owner · New Beaver Borough, Lawrence County

The gist

Voted against the 2026-27 state budget, saying delayed payments hide its true cost.In office
Proposes ending appeals of school employee dismissals to the Education Secretary, leaving them to local boards.In office
Proposes tax credits of $2,000 per paid intern, up to $10,000, for small businesses hiring PA college students.In office
Sponsored HB 454 to allow concealed carry without a permit, keeping an optional license for other states.In office
Proposes making 'sanctuary' municipalities liable for damages from crimes by unauthorized immigrants.In office
Proposes daily updates to the state's full voter export list, including records of registration changes.In office
Proposes banning the use of taxpayer money to pay for lobbyists.In office
Called on DEP to use its full enforcement power over a water outage at a Connoquenessing Township home park.In office

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

More about Aaron

View sources (8)

Voted against the 2026-27 state budget, saying delayed payments hide its true cost.
Bernstine: Budget Relies on Accounting Tricks Instead of Fiscal Responsibility
Public statement · Office of Rep. Aaron Bernstine · Jul 12, 2026 · repbernstine.com
“Delaying payments and shifting costs into the future does not reduce spending; it simply hides the true cost from taxpayers.”
Proposes ending appeals of school employee dismissals to the Education Secretary, leaving them to local boards.
Co-Sponsorship Memo: Returning employment decisions to local school boards
Government record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · Sep 16, 2025 · palegis.us
“Locally elected school boards are best positioned to decide the personnel matters in their districts.”
Proposes tax credits of $2,000 per paid intern, up to $10,000, for small businesses hiring PA college students.
Co-Sponsorship Memo: Providing support for small businesses that employ interns
Government record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · Mar 17, 2026 · palegis.us
“This legislation would provide $2,000 per intern up to a maximum of $10,000 per small business that hires Pennsylvania college students as paid interns”
Sponsored HB 454 to allow concealed carry without a permit, keeping an optional license for other states.
Co-Sponsorship Memo: Constitutional Carry of a Firearm (introduced as HB 454)
Government record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · Dec 19, 2024 · palegis.us
“The first level would no longer require law abiding citizens to obtain a permit to carry a firearm concealed in Pennsylvania.”
Proposes making 'sanctuary' municipalities liable for damages from crimes by unauthorized immigrants.
Co-Sponsorship Memo: Ending Sanctuary Cities
Government record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · Feb 18, 2025 · palegis.us
“hold any municipality that has deemed themselves as a “sanctuary municipality” liable for damages to persons or property”
Proposes daily updates to the state's full voter export list, including records of registration changes.
Co-Sponsorship Memo: Making Improvements to Pennsylvania's Election Process
Government record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · Dec 19, 2024 · palegis.us
“My legislation would require the list to be updated daily.”
Proposes banning the use of taxpayer money to pay for lobbyists.
Co-Sponsorship Memo: Taxpayer-funded Lobbyist Prohibition Act
Government record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · Dec 19, 2024 · palegis.us
“I will be introducing legislation to ban the use of taxpayer money to pay for lobbyists.”
Called on DEP to use its full enforcement power over a water outage at a Connoquenessing Township home park.
Bernstine: DEP Must Act on Rolling Valley Estates Water Crisis
Public statement · Office of Rep. Aaron Bernstine · Sep 1, 2026 · repbernstine.com
“use its full enforcement authority against Stackhouse Management LLC and affiliated Jones Estates entities over the water crisis at Rolling Valley Estates”