2026 Pennsylvania General Election 

Joe Poplawski

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Buket Urgen

### Biographical Information

County Northampton

Occupation Construction Manager, Construction Inspector

Education Associate's degree Architecture NCC

Pennsylvania State Representative District 135 — VOTE411 Voter Guide

2002 - Present

Volunteer with Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley

Joe volunteered since 2002 with the Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley, where he conducted educational sessions for first-time home buyers on the importance and benefits of home inspections. Joe's informative presentations helped participants understand key aspects of the inspection process, identify potential issues in properties, and make empowered, informed decisions during the home-buying journey.

About Joe Poplawski

2010 - 2013

Assistant Scoutmaster with Troop 359

Joe volunteered as an Assistant Scoutmaster with Troop 359, where they played a key role in mentoring young Scouts and supporting the Scouting program.

Joe Poplawski earned an associate's degree in architecture from NCC. He has volunteered since 2002 with the Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley, conducting educational sessions for first-time home buyers about home inspections, and served as an assistant scoutmaster with Troop 359 from 2010 to 2013.

Pennsylvania State Representative District 135 - VOTE411.org

2023 - Present

Role:

Construction Manager

Employer:

QES Pavements, Inc.

1999 - Present

Role: Owner

Advantage Inspection Service, LLC

### Biographical Information

County Northampton

Occupation Construction Manager, Construction Inspector

April 2022 - September 2023

Role:

Inspections, Assist Construction Manager

Project type:

Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission

January 2005 to December 2007

Role:

Project Manager & Municipal Engineer

Employer:

KEI, Inc

Joe currently works as a construction manager at QES Pavements, Inc. He is also the owner of Advantage Inspection Service, LLC, and works as a construction inspector. He previously worked in inspections, assisted a construction manager on a Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission project, and worked as a project manager and municipal engineer at KEI, Inc.

That's why when elected Joe will introduce the Stable Homes, Strong Communities Act. Joe supports encouraging municipalities to  reduce square footage requirements for homes and lots by one-third across all zoning districts, making housing more affordable without sacrificing quality of life. He also backs smarter parking rules and growing local wages through revitalized manufacturing.

A Vision for Pennsylvania's General Assembly Legislative District 135

### What are your thoughts on the state budget process? What changes, if any, would you support so that the budget is enacted in a timely manner?

Pennsylvania’s budget delays hurt schools, local governments, and service providers. I support commonsense reforms like enforceable deadlines, greater transparency, and mechanisms that keep essential funding flowing. Passing a budget on time should be a shared, bipartisan responsibility.

Plans to introduce the Stable Homes, Strong Communities Act and seek funding for low-cost homes with rent-based launch accounts for people experiencing homelessness.

Homelessness Support

Joe believes Pennsylvania's General Assembly Legislative District 135 must do more to support its homeless community. That's why when elected he will introduce the Stable Homes, Strong Communities Act. He will advocate for funding to create a Homeless Launch Program—providing small, low-cost dwellings with a portion of rent set aside in “launch accounts” to help residents transition into stable housing.

The program will also include mental health and addiction recovery services to support long-term independence and self-sufficiency.

Supports encouraging municipalities to reduce minimum home and lot sizes by one-third across zoning districts.

Supports enforceable state budget deadlines, greater transparency, and mechanisms to maintain essential funding during budget delays.

- Supports encouraging municipalities to reduce minimum home and lot sizes by one-third across zoning districts.
- Supports enforceable state budget deadlines, greater transparency, and mechanisms to maintain essential funding during budget delays.

Economy

He will advocate for funding to create a Homeless Launch Program—providing small, low-cost dwellings with a portion of rent set aside in “launch accounts” to help residents transition into stable housing.

The program will also include mental health and addiction recovery services to support long-term independence and self-sufficiency.

Supports including mental health and addiction recovery services in the proposed Homeless Launch Program.

- Supports including mental health and addiction recovery services in the proposed Homeless Launch Program.

Healthcare

As of October 16, 2026, Joe Poplawski’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Education

Pennsylvania's General Assembly Legislative District 135 was built on steel... and it’s time to bring that legacy back.

That's why when elected Joe will introduce the Carbon-Neutral Steel and Manufacturing Innovations Act. Joe supports revitalizing local manufacturing with a focus on carbon-neutral steel production to create good-paying jobs and grow our economy.

By honoring our industrial roots while embracing innovation, we can build a stronger, more sustainable future for Pennsylvania's General Assembly Legislative District 135.

### Should the state legislature enact laws concerning the impacts on water, energy, or land use from the development and operation of data centers? Would state regulation of data center development and operation interfere with the authority of municipalities to establish ordinances under the MPC (Municipal Planning Code)?

I believe the state should set baseline rules to address the water, energy, and land‑use impacts of data centers. These facilities can strain local resources, so statewide standards would help protect residential water supplies and electric infrastructure while still allowing municipalities to use their authority under the MPC. Data centers should fund any needed grid upgrades so residents aren’t burdened with higher costs, and contributing to residential solar could reduce strain on the system.

Plans to introduce the Carbon-Neutral Steel and Manufacturing Innovations Act to promote carbon-neutral steel production and local manufacturing.

Supports statewide data-center standards addressing water, energy, and land use while preserving municipal authority, as well as requiring data centers to fund needed grid upgrades.

- Plans to introduce the Carbon-Neutral Steel and Manufacturing Innovations Act to promote carbon-neutral steel production and local manufacturing.
- Supports statewide data-center standards addressing water, energy, and land use while preserving municipal authority, as well as requiring data centers to fund needed grid upgrades.

Energy & the Environment

Public Safety

Voting & Elections

Steve Samuelson

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