2026 Pennsylvania General Election 

Joe Emrick

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A native of the Slate Belt, Joe is a graduate of Bangor High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree in history and secondary education from Lycoming College, where he was an Academic All-American football player. Joe also earned a master’s degree in education with a concentration in social studies from Kutztown University.

About Joe Emrick

Joe lives in Upper Nazareth Township with his wife, Christine, and two children, Olivia and Zoey.

Joe and his family attend Calvary Baptist Church. He is active in his local community as a board member of Cornerstone Counseling Ministries and a member of the Nazareth YMCA.

Joe Emrick is a native of the Slate Belt. He earned a bachelor's degree in history and secondary education from Lycoming College and a master's degree in education with a concentration in social studies from Kutztown University. He lives in Upper Nazareth Township with his wife, Christine, and their two children; his family attends Calvary Baptist Church, and he serves on the board of Cornerstone Counseling Ministries and is a member of the Nazareth YMCA.

EMRICK, Joseph T., a Representative from Northampton County; graduated, Bangor High School, 1989; B.A., history and secondary education, Lycoming College, 1993; M.Ed., Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, 1999; teacher, Stroudsburg, Pleasant Valley and Lower Moreland school districts; member, Republic State Committee; elected, supervisor, Upper Nazareth Township; elected, commissioner, Salisbury Township; chair, board of supervisors, Upper Nazareth Township; unsuccessful campaign, Pennsylvania House of Representatives (2004); elected as a Republican to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 2010; reelected to the House for 7 more consecutive terms; appointed, Deputy Whip (2019-2020).

Official Website - PA House Archives Official Website

Joe Emrick previously worked as a teacher in the Stroudsburg, Pleasant Valley and Lower Moreland school districts.

Joe was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 2010 and reelected seven consecutive times. He was also elected a supervisor in Upper Nazareth Township and a commissioner in Salisbury Township. He ran unsuccessfully for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 2004.

HARRISBURG – Rep. Joe Emrick (R-Upper Nazareth Township) today voted for the 2025-26 state budget and issued the following statement regarding his support for the budget agreement and its many components: “The passage of this long-delayed state budget represents responsible governing and stewardship of people’s hard-earned tax dollars. This budget doesn’t raise taxes, nor does it use any of the state’s Rainy Day Fund while prioritizing core government functions that put Pennsylvanians first.

Emrick Keys on Improving Affordability for Pennsylvanians with State Budget Vote

“Eliminating waste, fraud and abuse in our public health care programs helps make health care more affordable for everyone. “The budget also significantly increases funding in the fight against food insecurity because no one should go hungry. Finally, we’re returning taxpayer money directly to low- and moderate-income working families through a new tax credit program that helps workers keep more of their hard-earned money.”

Voted for a state budget that does not raise taxes or use the state Rainy Day Fund.

Voted for a budget that increases food-insecurity funding and establishes a tax credit for low- and moderate-income working families.

- Voted for a state budget that does not raise taxes or use the state Rainy Day Fund.
- Voted for a budget that increases food-insecurity funding and establishes a tax credit for low- and moderate-income working families.

Economy

“This action not only restores legislative oversight, but even more important, it protects and facilitates creating family-sustaining energy jobs, avoids what would have been a 30% increase in energy bills by 2030 and revitalizes our Commonwealth’s energy industry that will help increase the supply of energy and ensure a reliable energy grid. Each of these changes will be crucial in helping to control energy costs moving forward. This budget also makes significant strides in our effort to decrease health care costs while helping those most in need. We’re reinforcing benefit integrity to ensure those who receive public assistance are the ones who truly need it. Eliminating waste, fraud and abuse in our public health care programs helps make health care more affordable for everyone.

HARRISBURG – Bipartisan legislation making a commonsense change to Pennsylvania’s physician licensing law has been signed by the governor, announced Rep. Joe Emrick (R-Nazareth), who co-prime sponsored the measure with fellow House Professional Licensure Committee chair, Rep. Frank Burns (D-Johnstown). House Bill 309, now Act 29 of 2025, allows team physicians traveling internationally with their club or national team to treat their own players on site during games without needing a Pennsylvania medical license.

Emrick’s Team Physician Licensing Bill Becomes Law

Voted for a budget that reinforces eligibility controls in public-assistance programs and targets waste, fraud, and abuse to reduce health care costs.

Was a co-prime sponsor of House Bill 309, allowing visiting international team physicians to treat their own players in Pennsylvania without a state medical license.

- Voted for a budget that reinforces eligibility controls in public-assistance programs and targets waste, fraud, and abuse to reduce health care costs.
- Was a co-prime sponsor of House Bill 309, allowing visiting international team physicians to treat their own players in Pennsylvania without a state medical license.

Healthcare

HARRISBURG – Rep. Joe Emrick (R-Upper Nazareth Township) on Sunday voted for a $50.85 billion 2026-27 state budget, noting this budget was balanced without any new or increased broad-based taxes. “Without increasing taxes, this budget fully funds Gov. Josh Shapiro’s request for our public schools, again funding school districts at record levels,” Emrick said. “This budget boosts PreK-12 education funding by nearly $670 million with increases for such things as the Ready to Learn Block Grant program, basic education and special education.”

Emrick: 2026-27 PA State Budget Passes

State Rep. Joe Emrick (R-Nazareth) announced three school districts serving the 137th Legislative District will be awarded more than $1.5 million in School Safety and Mental Health Grants for physical security enhancements, behavioral health supports or both. “Having spent years in the classroom, I know students learn best when they feel safe, supported and ready to focus,” Emrick said. “These grants will help our local school leaders address security concerns while also making sure students have access to help when they are struggling. Both are important parts of creating a school environment where children can succeed.”

Emrick: More Than $1.5 Million Awarded for School Safety, Mental Health

Voted for a state budget that increases funding for pre-kindergarten through 12th grade by nearly $670 million without raising taxes.

Supports school safety and behavioral-health grants so students can feel safe, receive help when struggling, and focus on learning.

- Voted for a state budget that increases funding for pre-kindergarten through 12th grade by nearly $670 million without raising taxes.
- Supports school safety and behavioral-health grants so students can feel safe, receive help when struggling, and focus on learning.

Education

“It is vital that we as elected officials focus on the affordability of everything from utility costs to grocery bills and prices at the gas pump. “As part of the budget agreement, we are repealing, through statute, Wolf Administration regulations that forced Pennsylvania into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. This action not only restores legislative oversight, but even more important, it protects and facilitates creating family-sustaining energy jobs, avoids what would have been a 30% increase in energy bills by 2030 and revitalizes our Commonwealth’s energy industry that will help increase the supply of energy and ensure a reliable energy grid. Each of these changes will be crucial in helping to control energy costs moving forward.”

Voted to repeal Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative regulations, citing energy costs, jobs, energy supply, and grid reliability.

- Voted to repeal Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative regulations, citing energy costs, jobs, energy supply, and grid reliability.

Energy & the Environment

NAZARETH – State Rep. Joe Emrick (R-137) announced today that eight fire and emergency medical services (EMS) companies in the 137th Legislative District were collectively awarded nearly $136,000 in funding support through the 2025-26 Pennsylvania Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program. “I deeply appreciate the steadfast commitment and tireless efforts of our first responders. Their work is essential to protecting families and communities throughout the 137th District,” said Emrick. “This funding ensures these courageous men and women can continue their life-saving mission.”

Emrick Announces Grants for 137th District Fire, EMS Companies

Supports grant funding for local fire and emergency medical services companies.

- Supports grant funding for local fire and emergency medical services companies.

Public Safety

HARRISBURG – Rep. Joe Emrick (R-Upper Nazareth) announced today he has introduced legislation that would give voters the final say over whether new high-impact warehouses and distribution centers should be approved in their community. According to House Bill 1960, approval by voter referendum would be required for a warehouse or distribution center that is a development of regional significance at least 100,000 square feet in size and on three acres of land or more.

Emrick Bill Will Give Voters Final Say Over New High-Impact Warehouses | PA State Rep. Joe Emrick

Introduced House Bill 1960 to require voter approval for high-impact warehouses and distribution centers of at least 100,000 square feet on three or more acres.

- Introduced House Bill 1960 to require voter approval for high-impact warehouses and distribution centers of at least 100,000 square feet on three or more acres.

Voting & Elections

Jeff Warren

- 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

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