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State Representative, 8th 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.

Butler County part: Brady, Center, Clay, Connoquenessing, Forward, Franklin, Lancaster, Middlesex, Muddy Creek, Penn and Worth townships, and Connoquenessing, Portersville, Prospect, West Liberty and West Sunbury boroughs. Lawrence County part: Little Beaver, Perry, Plain Grove, Scott, Slippery Rock, Washington and Wayne townships, and Ellport, Ellwood City (Lawrence County portion), Enon Valley, New Beaver, Volant and Wampum boroughs.

CandidatesCompare by issue

Taxes & budget

  • Rick TeleszDemocratic

    No documented position found.

  • Aaron BernstineRepublican

    • Voted against the 2026-27 state budget, saying delayed payments hide its true cost.In office

Public safety

  • Rick TeleszDemocratic

    No documented position found.

  • Aaron BernstineRepublican

    • 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

Education

  • Rick TeleszDemocratic

    No documented position found.

  • Aaron BernstineRepublican

    • Proposes ending appeals of school employee dismissals to the Education Secretary, leaving them to local boards.In office

Economy & jobs

  • Rick TeleszDemocratic

    • Supports unions' right to organize and bargain for workers.
    • Says farmers and small local businesses should be prioritized over large corporations.
    • Calls for ending tariffs he says hurt local farmers.

  • Aaron BernstineRepublican

    • Proposes tax credits of $2,000 per paid intern, up to $10,000, for small businesses hiring PA college students.In office

Roads & infrastructure

  • Rick TeleszDemocratic

    • Lists reliable broadband access among his campaign priorities.In office

  • Aaron BernstineRepublican

    No documented position found.

Environment & parks

  • Rick TeleszDemocratic

    No documented position found.

  • Aaron BernstineRepublican

    • Called on DEP to use its full enforcement power over a water outage at a Connoquenessing Township home park.In office

Health & human services

  • Rick TeleszDemocratic

    • Calls healthcare a human right and pledges to push for affordable healthcare for all Pennsylvanians.

  • Aaron BernstineRepublican

    No documented position found.

Government & transparency

  • Rick TeleszDemocratic

    No documented position found.

  • Aaron BernstineRepublican

    • 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

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.