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State Representative, 81st 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 nearly all of Huntingdon County (every municipality except Birmingham Borough and Franklin and Warriors Mark townships, which are in the 80th), including Huntingdon, Mount Union, Alexandria and Orbisonia boroughs. Also includes part of Franklin County.

CandidatesCompare by issue

Taxes & budget

  • Caleb DonahueDemocratic

    • Says lawmakers should forfeit their pay when the state budget is late.

  • Rich IrvinRepublican

    • Supports holding the line on taxes, pension reform for new hires and property tax reform.In office

Public safety

  • Caleb DonahueDemocratic

    No documented position found.

  • Rich IrvinRepublican

    • Supports protecting law-abiding citizens' Second Amendment rights.In office

Education

  • Caleb DonahueDemocratic

    No documented position found.

  • Rich IrvinRepublican

    • Proposes letting private school students join extracurriculars at their home public school district.In office

Housing

  • Caleb DonahueDemocratic

    No documented position found.

  • Rich IrvinRepublican

    • Proposes letting towns allow rebuilt homes on vacant downtown lots at the old setbacks.In office

Economy & jobs

  • Caleb DonahueDemocratic

    • Supports protecting labor unions and fair wages and protections for workers.

  • Rich IrvinRepublican

    No documented position found.

Environment & parks

  • Caleb DonahueDemocratic

    • Calls for more state environmental rules on data centers and countywide referendums on projects.

  • Rich IrvinRepublican

    No documented position found.

Health & human services

  • Caleb DonahueDemocratic

    • Pledges to sponsor bills protecting and expanding access to Medicare and Medicaid.

  • Rich IrvinRepublican

    • Proposes moving the Medicaid pharmacy benefit to fee-for-service so the state pays pharmacies directly.In office
    • Describes himself as pro-life.In office

Government & transparency

  • Caleb DonahueDemocratic

    • Says he is not opposed to voter photo ID if voters can get one quickly and at no cost.
    • Supports higher pay for poll workers and automatic voter registration at the DMV.

  • Rich IrvinRepublican

    No documented position found.

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.