Meet Rob

Rob and his mother moved to the Far Northeast section of Philadelphia when he was three years old, following the sudden death of his WWII veteran father.

Meet Rob

After high school, Rob attended Temple University where he graduated with a BA in Political Science. He worked his way through college, sometimes working three jobs at once.

Rob also served his community as a baseball and basketball coach, Lay Leader for the United Methodist Church of the Good Shepherd, and his local VFW and American Legion posts. He volunteers numerous hours at the Delaware Valley Veterans Home, and was recently appointed Quartermaster of VFW Post 6617.

Rob Gurtcheff moved with his mother to the Far Northeast section of Philadelphia when he was three years old. He earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Temple University and volunteers at the Delaware Valley Veterans Home.

Biographical Information
COUNTY: Philadelphia
OCCUPATION: Investigator
EDUCATION: Bachelor of Arts
QUALIFICATIONS: Certified Fraud Examiner; Over twenty years investigating experience in government and corporate environments. Five years active service and one year PA National Guard service. Served as a United States Army Counterintelligence Special Agent; Six years as a Methodist Lay Leader; Volunteer

VOTE411: Pennsylvania State Representative District 170

Rob during his tour of duty.
Neither the military information nor photographs imply endorsement by the
U.S. Army

From 1999 to 2004, Rob served our nation as a U.S. Army Counterintelligence Special agent. He deployed to Afghanistan, Kuwait, and Iraq. In Afghanistan, he conducted Counterintelligence Source Protection Operations.

Rob currently works as an investigator and is a Certified Fraud Examiner. He previously served as a U.S. Army Counterintelligence Special Agent from 1999 to 2004.

Pennsylvania State Representative District 170 - VOTE411.org

Rob Gurtcheff’s run for Pennsylvania State Representative in District 170 is his first run for elected office.

2026 Pennsylvania General Election 

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?
I would like to change the PA State Constitution to eliminate the Uniformity Clause in our tax structure. This would allow the state to increase revenue in a less regressive manner.

ROB ON THE ISSUES
IF ELECTED TO HOUSE DISTRICT 170, ROB WILL FIGHT FOR THE WORKING FAMILIES OF NORTHEAST PHILADELPHIA.
LOWERING COSTS

Stopping utility companies from hiking up our rates

Advocating for full disclosure of healthcare costs in advance

Rob on the Issues

Proposes amending Pennsylvania's constitution to eliminate the Uniformity Clause and make state revenue less regressive.

Plans to prevent utility companies from raising rates.

- Proposes amending Pennsylvania's constitution to eliminate the Uniformity Clause and make state revenue less regressive.
- Plans to prevent utility companies from raising rates.

Economy

LOWERING COSTS

Stopping utility companies from hiking up our rates

Advocating for full disclosure of healthcare costs in advance

Q1 PFAS chemicals are widely used in consumer products but have raised health concerns due to their persistence in the environment and humans, and some Pennsylvanian legislators are considering restrictions on its use, such as in House Bill 2145. Should Pennsylvania restrict PFAS in consumer products? What scientific evidence would you use to inform your decision?

Public Health

Yes, Pennsylvania should restrict PFAS when they pose a risk to safety. I use peer-reviewed scientific research to inform my decisions about public health. We owe it to the public to keep them safe from chemicals such as PFAS.

Rob Gurtcheff - Scientist Network for Advancing Policy

Q2 Measles vaccination rates in Pennsylvania have declined in recent years, from 95.5% in 2020 to 92.5% in 2025. At the same time, measles outbreaks have emerged across the state, with 62 confirmed cases in PA in 2026. As a policymaker, how do you approach engaging with communities that have concerns that center on infectious disease outbreaks and vaccine safety, and what policies, if any, would you support related to these issues?

Public Health

Mis- and disinformation around vaccines are alarming. We can not allow decades of progress to erode. Relational organizing can be helpful here, people are more willing to listen to local leaders such as pastors and doctors.

I also think we need more education on this issue so people understand how important vaccines are.

Q3 There have been avian influenza outbreaks in Pennsylvania, with potential impacts on poultry and dairy operations, both industries that provide billions of dollars of economic value to the state. What policies, if any, do you support to strengthen the state’s preparedness and outbreak response? Are there specific strategies you would prioritize to protect farm workers, agricultural communities, and the broader public?

Agriculture

Avian influenza is a serious issue that causes shortages for our farmers, producers, and consumers. We need to invest in preventative measures while also ensuring we have better systems for reporting avian influenza.

I also believe we need to invest in the right equipment to ensure farmers have the resources they need to deal with these outbreaks.

Advocates for disclosure of healthcare costs in advance.

Supports restricting per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances when they pose a safety risk, guided by peer-reviewed public-health research.

Calls for education and outreach through local leaders, including pastors and doctors, to address vaccine misinformation.

Supports preventive measures, improved reporting systems for avian influenza, and equipment investments for farmers responding to outbreaks.

- Advocates for disclosure of healthcare costs in advance.
- Supports restricting per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances when they pose a safety risk, guided by peer-reviewed public-health research.
- Calls for education and outreach through local leaders, including pastors and doctors, to address vaccine misinformation.
- Supports preventive measures, improved reporting systems for avian influenza, and equipment investments for farmers responding to outbreaks.

Healthcare

BETTERING OUR SCHOOLS

Increasing fiscal accountability and responsibility of our schools

Fully funding public schools to provide better opportunities to our families and lower property taxes

Advocates for greater fiscal accountability and responsibility in schools.

- Advocates for greater fiscal accountability and responsibility in schools.
- Supports fully funding public schools.

Education

Q4 Pennsylvania is the nation’s second-largest producer of natural gas and nuclear energy, as well as the third-largest producer of coal, per the Energy Information Administration. In contrast, PA currently ranks 45th in the country in terms of wind, solar, and hydropower energy production. How do you think these energy sources should be distributed across PA’s energy production portfolio, and what policies, if any, would you support to facilitate this?

Energy

Climate change is an existential issue. We need to have an all of the above energy approach and take advantage of renewable energy sources.

I would incentivize these energy sources and ensure there are better plans in place for our state to move to renewable energies in the future. Pennsylvania can and should be a leader environmentally, not lagging behind.

Q5 Pennsylvania has proposed more reporting, utility oversight, and zoning guidance for large data centers, along with shifting some generation, capacity, and reliability costs onto data center developers rather than ordinary ratepayers. How should the costs and benefits of large data center development be divided between developers and the public, and what requirements, if any, would you support on power, water, and public reporting before a project moves forward?

Artificial Intelligence

I support a moratorium on data centers. They consume too many resources, and drive up energy prices in the Northeast.

Existing data centers should have to pass strict standards and ensure they are covering the costs to the communities around them. Technology and innovation are a great benefit to our state, but they must be considered with workers and the environment in mind.

Supports an all-of-the-above energy approach that uses renewable energy sources.

Supports a moratorium on data centers and strict standards requiring existing facilities to cover costs incurred by nearby communities.

- Supports an all-of-the-above energy approach that uses renewable energy sources.
- Supports a moratorium on data centers and strict standards requiring existing facilities to cover costs incurred by nearby communities.

Energy & the Environment

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

Public Safety

What changes, if any, would you support to enable better access, ensure security, and support the processes of our elections?
The current Pennsylvania voter system is as secure as it can be. If there are changes to Voter ID laws, then the government should provide the necessary documentation to each potential voter free of charge. Requiring voters to obtain specific documents, such as a passport, and pay for it is a de facto poll tax.

Says Pennsylvania's current voter system is secure and calls for free identification documents required if voter identification laws change.

- Says Pennsylvania's current voter system is secure and calls for free identification documents required if voter identification laws change.

Voting & Elections

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Rob Gurtcheff

- Plans to prevent utility companies from raising rates.

- Supports a moratorium on data centers and strict standards requiring existing facilities to cover costs incurred by nearby communities.

Edward Krutsch

Buket Urgen

Martina White

- 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