2026 Pennsylvania General Election 

Steve Samuelson

Facebook

Buket Urgen

A Bethlehem resident, Rep. Samuelson is a graduate of Liberty High School and earned a bachelor's degree in government from Lehigh University. He is a graduate of Leadership Lehigh Valley.

Rep. Steve Samuelson | Biography

He has always been active in his community having served as a PTA Board member at Spring Garden Elementary School, president of the Bethlehem Area Jaycees, a board member of Habitat for Humanity of Humanity of the Lehigh Valley, and a volunteer for Freedom High School Theatre.

He is the father of two grown children, Molly and Michael.

Steve Samuelson earned a bachelor's degree in government from Lehigh University. He has served as a PTA board member and a board member of Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley, and volunteered for Freedom High School Theatre. He lives in Bethlehem and is the father of two grown children.

Rep. Steve Samuelson - Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

SAMUELSON, Steven P., a Representative from Lehigh and Northampton Counties; born in Riverhead, Suffolk County, NY, September 21, 1960; graduated, Liberty High School, 1978; B.A., government, Lehigh University, 1986; legislative aide and clerk, Lehigh County Board of Commissioners (1989-1998); reporter, Bethlehem Globe-Times; Night Light Tour Guide, bus tours of Bethlehem; legislative assistant, Pennsylvania State Representative Paul McHale; legislative assistant, Pennsylvania State Representative Karen Ritter; elected as a Democrat to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1998; reelected to the House for 13 more consecutive terms; appointed, Capitol Preservation Committee (2015-present); appointed, Legislative Budget and Finance Commission (2023-present).

Official Website - PA House Archives Official Website

Steve previously worked as a legislative aide and clerk to the Lehigh County Board of Commissioners, a reporter for the Bethlehem Globe-Times, a Night Light Tour Guide for bus tours of Bethlehem, and a legislative assistant to state Reps. Paul McHale and Karen Ritter.

Steve currently serves in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. He was elected in 1998 and reelected for 13 additional consecutive terms.

“Today we are expanding the Property Tax/Rent Rebate. We are increasing the income limits for the first time in 17 years and we are providing larger rebates for those who qualify. This bill helps seniors, this bill helps people under the age of 65 with disabilities, this bill helps renters, this bill helps homeowners, and you can see we are helping seniors stay in their homes,” said Rep. Steve Samuelson, primary sponsor of HB1100. “I also want to thank Governor Shapiro, who has made seniors in Pennsylvania a priority of his Administration. He also has made sure that the expansion of the Property Tax/Rent Rebate was going to happen in year one.”

Governor Shapiro Signs Into Law Historic Expansion of the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program

Proposed increasing Pennsylvania's historic-preservation tax credit from $5 million to $20 million.

The recent increase in Pennsylvania's state historic tax credit marks a significant victory for historic preservation efforts across the state as a result of a dedicated and diligent statewide coalition.

State Representative Steve Samuelson (D-Lehigh County) championed the effort in the House, proposing to raise the tax credit from $5 million to $20 million.

This proposal gained rapid approval, navigated the budget negotiations, and culminated in Governor Josh Shapiro's signature last Thursday. Legislators highlighted the dual benefits of historic preservation: celebrating Pennsylvania's rich history and driving economic growth by converting historic structures into income-producing properties.

State Historic Tax Credits Increase in Pennsylvania and Missouri

Sponsored House Bill 1100 to expand the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program by raising income limits and increasing rebate amounts.

- Sponsored House Bill 1100 to expand the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program by raising income limits and increasing rebate amounts.

Economy

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

Healthcare

Education

Energy & the Environment

Public Safety

Introduced House Bill 1776, a constitutional amendment to create an independent redistricting commission.

On April 10, Representatives Steve Samuelson (House District 135, Northampton County) and Representative Mark Gillen (House District 128, Berks County) held a press conference in the capitol rotunda to announce the introduction of House Bill 1776, a PA Constitutional amendment to create an independent redistricting commission.

In the press conference, Rep. Samuelson explained essential aspects of HB 1776:

* genuine independence of commissioners in the selection process and in creation of district maps
* robust public participation, strong rules for transparency, and shared access to data and other information
* clear, prioritized mapping criteria

Press Conference Announcing House Bill 1776 | Fair Districts PA

Voting & Elections

Joe Poplawski

- Your state representative represents the interests of your local district in the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives. The State House of Representatives, along with the State Senate, makes up your state lawmaking body: the Pennsylvania General Assembly.
- Your state representative can author, sponsor, and vote on bills that may become state laws, including introducing tax bills. 
- State representatives and their staff respond to constituent concerns and questions through emails, phone calls, and website announcements. 
- State representatives oversee the executive branch and can vote to overrule a veto by the Governor.  
- They are elected to two-year terms and have a salary of $106,000, with a 1-3% annual increase

Your representative and state lawmaker in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives