State

State Senator, 20th District

Vote for: 1
Term: 4 years
Candidates: 2
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: A state senator votes on Pennsylvania laws and the state budget and confirms many of the Governor's appointments.

All of Pike, Susquehanna and Wyoming counties; the northern and eastern part of Wayne County (Berlin, Buckingham, Clinton, Damascus, Dyberry, Lebanon, Manchester, Mount Pleasant, Oregon, Palmyra, Paupack, Preston and Scott townships and Bethany, Hawley and Starrucca boroughs); and part of Luzerne County.

Candidates Compare by issue

Jackie Baker

Democratic

Former public school teacher · Liberty Township, Susquehanna County

The gist

Calls for affordable healthcare for all and a state plan to rebuild the public health workforce.
Supports abortion rights, ending violence against women and family leave.
Calls for fully funding public schools and finding new revenue to reduce reliance on property taxes.
Calls for lower taxes on low- and middle-income households and higher taxes on the wealthiest and corporations.
Supports raising Pennsylvania's minimum wage, which she notes the Legislature hasn't raised in 20 years.
Calls for expanding public transit systems and increasing transit funding.
Supports expanding renewable energy to address electricity costs and backs a state 'green amendment'.
Supports no-excuse mail voting and an independent citizens' redistricting commission.

More about Jackie

View sources (1)

Calls for affordable healthcare for all and a state plan to rebuild the public health workforce.
Jackie Baker For PA
Campaign website · Jackie Baker for PA · The Platform: Access to Affordable Healthcare … The Platform: Access to Affordable Healthcare · jackiebakerforpa.com
“Every Pennsylvanian deserves reliable healthcare they can afford, no matter their job, income, or background. … We need a comprehensive state plan or major investment to rebuild the public health workforce”
Supports abortion rights, ending violence against women and family leave.
Jackie Baker For PA
Campaign website · Jackie Baker for PA · Issues: Fund & Expand Women's Healthcare · jackiebakerforpa.com
“including a woman's right to abortion, ending violence against women, and providing family leave.”
Calls for fully funding public schools and finding new revenue to reduce reliance on property taxes.
Jackie Baker For PA
Campaign website · Jackie Baker for PA · The Platform: Education · jackiebakerforpa.com
“We must fully fund public education and identify new revenue sources to meet the constitutional requirement to fully fund public schools.”
Calls for lower taxes on low- and middle-income households and higher taxes on the wealthiest and corporations.
Jackie Baker For PA
Campaign website · Jackie Baker for PA · The Platform: A Fair Tax System … Meet Jackie · jackiebakerforpa.com
“lower the tax burden on low- and middle-income households, and ensure the wealthiest Pennsylvanians and corporations finally pay their fair share. … our working families need real property tax relief so senior citizens can afford to stay in their homes”
Supports raising Pennsylvania's minimum wage, which she notes the Legislature hasn't raised in 20 years.
Jackie Baker For PA
Campaign website · Jackie Baker for PA · The Platform: Livable Wages … The Platform: Livable Wages · jackiebakerforpa.com
“The Pennsylvania Legislature hasn't raised the minimum wage in our Commonwealth for TWENTY YEARS! … TIME TO RAISE THE WAGE!”
Calls for expanding public transit systems and increasing transit funding.
Jackie Baker For PA
Campaign website · Jackie Baker for PA · The Platform: Public Transit · jackiebakerforpa.com
“We need to expand Pennsylvania's public transit systems to grow our economy and connect more Pennsylvanians to jobs, healthcare, and essential needs.”
Supports expanding renewable energy to address electricity costs and backs a state 'green amendment'.
Jackie Baker For PA
Campaign website · Jackie Baker for PA · The Platform: Energy Affordability … Issues: Environmental Protections · jackiebakerforpa.com
“Expanded renewable energy is a solution to the energy imbalance that is causing rising prices. … I support the green amendment to the PA Constitution”
Supports no-excuse mail voting and an independent citizens' redistricting commission.
Jackie Baker For PA
Campaign website · Jackie Baker for PA · Issues: Expanding & Protecting Election Access … Issues: Expanding & Protecting Election Access · jackiebakerforpa.com
“I believe in eliminating barriers to voting by mail, allowing no-excuse absentee voting … I support a constitutional amendment to create an impartial, independent citizens' commission to redraw district lines”

Lisa Baker

RepublicanIncumbent

State senator · Lehman Township, Luzerne County

The gist

Sponsored SB 1454 to let small rural hospitals convert to federally designated Rural Emergency Hospitals.In office
Supported the 2026-27 budget deal that raised no taxes and made no Rainy Day Fund withdrawals.In office
Voted for HB 1667 to cut electric-bill and school-supply taxes, expand EITC and end a data center tax break.In office
Supported Senate bills to streamline housing permits and approvals while keeping local oversight.In office
Sponsored SB 1400 to rewrite second-degree murder sentencing after the state Supreme Court's Lee ruling.In office
Sponsored SB 65 to lengthen school bus stopping distance and add penalties for repeat violators.In office
Calls for uniform statewide firearm laws over local ordinances, as in Senate-passed SB 822.In office
Opposes the proposed Shawnee-Walker transmission line in Pike County and the use of eminent domain for it.In office

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

More about Lisa

View sources (8)

Sponsored SB 1454 to let small rural hospitals convert to federally designated Rural Emergency Hospitals.
Baker Introduces Legislation to Give Rural Hospitals Another Option to Keep Care Local
Public statement · Office of Sen. Lisa Baker · Sep 24, 2026 · senatorbaker.com
“We need to give rural providers options that allow them to adapt while keeping essential healthcare services available close to home.”
Supported the 2026-27 budget deal that raised no taxes and made no Rainy Day Fund withdrawals.
Baker Supports Fiscally Responsible State Budget Agreement
Public statement · Office of Sen. Lisa Baker · Jul 12, 2026 · senatorbaker.com
“Pennsylvania's Rainy Day Fund exists for emergencies, not to cover ongoing government spending … I remained focused on keeping costs down for taxpayers and preventing policies that would make it harder for people to get ahead.”
Voted for HB 1667 to cut electric-bill and school-supply taxes, expand EITC and end a data center tax break.
PA Senate Votes for Historic Tax Cuts
Public statement · Office of Sen. Lisa Baker · Jun 26, 2026 · senatorbaker.com
“cutting taxes on electric bills and school supplies, eliminating the current sales tax exemption for data centers and strengthening the state’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit … according to Sen. Lisa Baker (R-20) who supported the measure”
Supported Senate bills to streamline housing permits and approvals while keeping local oversight.
Baker: Senate Approves Bills to Make Housing More Attainable Across PA
Public statement · Office of Sen. Lisa Baker · Jun 3, 2026 · senatorbaker.com
“These bills take a practical approach to removing barriers that slow housing development, helping communities create more housing opportunities while maintaining local oversight.”
Sponsored SB 1400 to rewrite second-degree murder sentencing after the state Supreme Court's Lee ruling.
Senate Passes Baker, Langerholc Bill to Preserve Accountability in Second-Degree Murder Cases
Public statement · Office of Sen. Lisa Baker · Jun 25, 2026 · senatorbaker.com
“True justice requires respecting the rights of both victims' families and those charged with serious crimes”
Sponsored SB 65 to lengthen school bus stopping distance and add penalties for repeat violators.
Baker Calls for Action on School Bus Safety as New School Year Begins
Public statement · Office of Sen. Lisa Baker · Aug 24, 2026 · senatorbaker.com
“There is simply no excuse for putting a child's life at risk by illegally passing a school bus.”
Calls for uniform statewide firearm laws over local ordinances, as in Senate-passed SB 822.
Baker: Judiciary Committee Advances Constitutional Carry as Senate Sends Preemption Expansion to the House
Public statement · Office of Sen. Lisa Baker · May 6, 2026 · senatorbaker.com
“Pennsylvanians deserve uniform, consistent laws across the commonwealth.”
Opposes the proposed Shawnee-Walker transmission line in Pike County and the use of eminent domain for it.
Baker, Olsommer Issue Statement on Proposed Powerlines in Pike County
Public statement · Office of Sen. Lisa Baker · Mar 30, 2026 · senatorbaker.com
“We do not support the use of eminent domain to acquire property. We remain opposed to the project as it currently stands.”

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; 10 issues covered in this race.