What each office actually does

Governor (PA, statewide)

Head of the executive branch. Signs or vetoes bills passed by the legislature, appoints judges to vacancies, commands the PA National Guard, grants pardons, runs state agencies (transportation, education, health, etc.). 4-year term. Current: Josh Shapiro, elected 2022, up for re-election 2026.

US Representative (federal, district-level)

One of 435 members of the US House. Represents a congressional district (PA has 17). Votes on federal laws, appropriates federal spending, investigates the executive branch. 2-year term — so every election cycle, all 17 seats are up.

US Senator (federal, statewide, not on 2026 ballot)

One of 100 members of the US Senate. Represents the entire state. Votes on federal laws, confirms judges and cabinet appointments, ratifies treaties. 6-year term. PA's seats are held by John Fetterman (D, term ends 2029) and Dave McCormick (R, term ends 2031). Neither is up in 2026.

PA State Senator

One of 50 PA senators. Votes on state laws. 4-year term. Half the senate (25 seats) is up each even year. Represents a Senate District of roughly 260,000 people.

PA State Representative

One of 203 PA house members. Votes on state laws. 2-year term: all 203 are up every even year. Represents a House District of roughly 64,000 people. This is often the most ‘local’ state-level representative.

Why the state legislature matters

Pennsylvania's state legislature decides: how schools get funded, property tax rates, infrastructure spending, Medicaid expansion details, abortion rights, firearm regulations, marijuana policy, voting rules, and more. For many of the issues that affect your daily life, the state-level decision matters more than the federal one.