2026 Pennsylvania General Election 

Melissa Shusterman

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Before her election to the General Assembly, Melissa was a small business owner and media producer. She is a graduate of Conestoga High School, Lafayette College with a BA in History/Russian Studies, and Chinese Literature (minor), and American University with a MA in Film and Video.

Melissa Shusterman Biography

She currently resides in Schuylkill Township with her husband Hans. They have one son, Paris.

Melissa Shusterman earned a bachelor's degree in history and Russian studies from Lafayette College, with a minor in Chinese literature, and a master's degree in film and video from American University. She is married to Hans and has one son.

Rep. Melissa Shusterman - Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

SHUSTERMAN, Melissa L., a Representative from Chester and Montgomery Counties; born, September 9, 1967 in Augusta, Augusta-Richmond County, Ga.; graduated, Conestoga High School, 1985; B.A., Russian studies and history, Lafayette College, 1989; M.F.A., cinematography and film, The American University, 1993; freelance television producer; freelance Web 2.0 and digital video marketing consultant; independent consultant, D4 Creative Group (2009-2010); owner and president, Fedora Media (2010-present); elected as a Democrat to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 2018, 2020, 2022 and 2024; appointed, Deputy Whip (2019-2022).

Official Website - PA House Archives Official Website

Melissa Shusterman is the owner and president of Fedora Media. She previously worked as a media producer.

Melissa was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 2018, 2020, 2022 and 2024, and is serving her fourth term.

Shusterman said she didn’t want to circulate the controversial memo.

“Our back is against the wall. Southeast Pennsylvania brings in 40% of the revenue for the state and SEPTA — mass transit — it’s our backbone,” Shusterman said.

Amid SEPTA fight, lawmaker proposes regional funding plan - WHYY

“Southeast Pennsylvania and other urban-suburban areas fund our state coffers and we’re okay with that,” Shusterman said. “We’ll fund the roads and bridges that rural Pa. uses for transportation. We’re on board with that, but we need to be able to keep enough of that funding to ensure our own mass transit runs.”

Shusterman said that under the proposal, each of the three economic categories of the Commonwealth would keep its share of all collected taxes to fund its schools, medical facilities, law enforcement, parks and recreational areas, transportation infrastructures including roads and bridges, and other essential line items that are currently appropriated through the state budget.

Shusterman to introduce long-term solution to SEPTA funding crisis

Co-sponsored House Bill 1259 to expand the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit.

At the close of 2023, Melissa saw her first piece of legislation enacted into law. She co-sponsored a bill to expand the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (HB1259), which was then folded into the 2023-2024 state budget codes.

Proposes allowing Pennsylvania regions to retain the tax revenue they collect to fund essential services, including mass transit.

- Proposes allowing Pennsylvania regions to retain the tax revenue they collect to fund essential services, including mass transit.

Economy

Melissa’s core priorities include protecting women’s reproductive rights and access to healthcare, improving government accountability and transparency, pushing for gun control reform, promoting the humane treatment of animals, advocating for environmental sustainability, and improving equity in education.

Melissa serves on the Health, Judiciary, Liquor Control,Rules, State Government and Transportation committees.

About | Melissa Shusterman

Sponsored House Bill 1118 to end taxpayer funding for crisis pregnancy centers and redirect funds to accessible healthcare for women.

Her bill to end taxpayer funding of crisis pregnancy centers (HB1118) was also acted upon by the Shapiro administration when the state contract with Real Alternatives was not renewed in December 2023.

As a result, these state funds will now be directed to organizations that provide accessible healthcare to women across the Commonwealth.

Prioritizes protecting women’s reproductive rights and access to healthcare.

- Prioritizes protecting women’s reproductive rights and access to healthcare.

Healthcare

In Person Cyber Charter check-in requirements. Shusterman’s proposed bill was included in the 2025 Cyber Charter Reforms Bills passed into law. This ensures the well-being of students and verifies participation.

Session Notes | Melissa Shusterman

Prioritizes improving equity in education.

Proposed in-person check-in requirements for cyber charter schools to verify student participation and support student well-being.

- Prioritizes improving equity in education.
- Proposed in-person check-in requirements for cyber charter schools to verify student participation and support student well-being.

Education

Advocates for environmental sustainability.

- Advocates for environmental sustainability.

Energy & the Environment

In the near future, Melissa will continue to introduce legislation to safeguard our communities, improve working conditions, protect women's rights, and curb gun violence.

Supports gun-control reform and plans to introduce legislation to curb gun violence.

- Supports gun-control reform and plans to introduce legislation to curb gun violence.

Public Safety

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

Voting & Elections

Justin J Pak

- 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