State
State Senator, 4th 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.
Eastern Montgomery County: Abington, Cheltenham and Springfield townships and Jenkintown and Rockledge boroughs, plus part of northwest Philadelphia.
Taxes & budget
Todd JohnsonRepublican
No documented position found.
Art HaywoodDemocratic
- Voted against eliminating the gross receipts tax on electric and water utilities, citing lost state revenue.In office
Public safety
Todd JohnsonRepublican
- Favors more police presence and community policing.
Art HaywoodDemocratic
No documented position found.
Education
Todd JohnsonRepublican
- Supports school choice, including a private and charter school selection program funded by reallocating money.
- Says Philadelphia schools need more oversight of how funding is spent rather than more money.
Art HaywoodDemocratic
No documented position found.
Economy & jobs
Todd JohnsonRepublican
- Supports more natural gas drilling and fracking to lower utility bills, if it is safe.
Art HaywoodDemocratic
- Calls for raising the minimum wage to at least $15 an hour and for statewide paid family leave.
- Plans legislation requiring AI companies to report how they identify, mitigate and govern major risks.In office
Roads & infrastructure
Todd JohnsonRepublican
- Calls for closer oversight of SEPTA's structure and how its funding is used, rather than more money.
Art HaywoodDemocratic
No documented position found.
Environment & parks
Todd JohnsonRepublican
No documented position found.
Art HaywoodDemocratic
- Supports renewing renewable-energy incentives so utilities must buy more solar and wind power.
- Says the legislature should regulate data centers' water and power impacts even though it affects local control.
Health & human services
Todd JohnsonRepublican
- Says acknowledging the complexity of the abortion issue serves the American people and unborn life.
Art HaywoodDemocratic
No documented position found.
Government & transparency
Todd JohnsonRepublican
No documented position found.
Art HaywoodDemocratic
- Supports pre-canvassing mail ballots 5 days early, drop boxes in all counties and ending mail-ballot date rules.
- Wants further state restrictions on ICE and has held weekly vigils outside the Philadelphia ICE office.
Courts & justice
Todd JohnsonRepublican
No documented position found.
Art HaywoodDemocratic
- Voted against a Senate bill imposing mandatory minimum sentences on people present at a murder.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; 9 issues covered in this race.