The midterm elections are less than four weeks away and PoliticsPA has identified 19 State House races throughout the Commonwealth to focus on during the run-up to the 2026 election, as part of our 31 Races in 31 Days series.
The Key Numbers
| Incumbent | Challenger | |
|---|---|---|
| Joe Emrick (R) | Jeff Warren (D) | |
| Upper Nazareth Township | Residence | Bethlehem Township |
| B.A., Lycoming College M.S., Kutztown University | Education | B.A., Penn State University M.S., Kutztown University |
| Elected state representative in 2010 GOP chair, Professional Licensure committee | Experience | County Commissioner on Northampton County Council Former Member of Easton City Council More than 13 years in State Senator Lisa Boscola’s office Director of Community Outreach at CASA SHaW |
| unopposed | Primary Result | unopposed |
Committed to lowering taxes, reducing energy costs, and making life more affordable for families and seniors. Working to ensure every Pennsylvanian has access to high-quality, affordable healthcare and prescription drugs. Combating excessive warehouse development, data center construction, truck traffic and protecting the environment. | Priorities | I will work to bring down the cost of essentials, from groceries to housing to health care, by passing legislation that directly addresses constituent concerns about the affordability crisis. Fairly Fund Our Local Schools Hold greedy, price-gouging corporations accountable from Harrisburg, making sure they pay their fair share in taxes and work to benefit our communities, not exploit it Stand for the rights of unions and their members’ families, and will be firm against right-to-work policies and other legislation that threatens our right to collectively bargain |
| candidate has yet to respond | Most Pressing Issue(s) Facing Your District | I will be laser focused on lowering the everyday costs facing working folks and families in our communities. By expanding attainable housing, supporting accessible child care, and working to reduce healthcare expenses, my goal is to initiate and support common sense proposals to ease financial burdens, strengthen our workforce, and ensure everyone has the opportunity to live and thrive in our communities. Our kids deserve the best education possible because their future is what’s on the line. Our state government needs to fairly fund our schools, which currently is not the case. I’ll work every day as State Representative to make sure Harrisburg is sending more dollars back to our school districts so our kids have the tools to succeed. |
| Voter Guide | Go Deeper | Voter Guide |
| Raised: $74,855 Spent: $10,655 Cash on Hand (6/8): $140,340 | 2026 Fundraising | Raised: $90,517 Spent: $10,194 Cash on Hand (6/8): $105,285 |
| “I understand the concerns and challenges of local residents, because my family faces them every day too. As your State Representative, please know that you can count on me to always put my constituents first and fight for you.” | Quotable | I know what it means to have someone in your corner. That’s why I’m running to be your next State Representative: to fully fund public education, protect local communities, and stand up for working families – always putting people first. |
| VoteJoeEmrick.com | Campaign Website | JeffWarrenForPA.com |
| Campaign Social | Facebook | Instagram |
Part of NORTHAMPTON County consisting of the TOWNSHIPS of Bethlehem, Hanover (PART, District 05), Lower Nazareth, Palmer (PART, Districts Middle, Upper Eastern, Upper Western and Western [PART, Division 02]) and Upper Nazareth and the BOROUGHS of Nazareth and Tatamy.
Northampton County Election Division
