2026 Pennsylvania General Election 

Jordan A Harris

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Harris, a native of South Philadelphia, earned his bachelor’s degree in Government and Political Affairs from Millersville University, a master's degree in Education from Cabrini College, and pursued a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership at Neumann University.

Rep. Jordan A. Harris | Biography

Jordan A. Harris is a native of South Philadelphia. He earned a bachelor's degree in government and political affairs from Millersville University and a master's degree in education from Cabrini College, and pursued a doctoral degree in educational leadership at Neumann University.

Rep. Jordan A. Harris | Homepage

Before his political career, he dedicated himself to the advancement of children and youth in the Philadelphia School District as an educator and led Philadelphia's Youth Commission as Executive Director.

Jordan previously worked as an educator in the Philadelphia School District and as executive director of Philadelphia's Youth Commission.

Rep. Harris' Biography. Jordan A. Harris, a dedicated advocate and seasoned legislator, serves the Commonwealth as the House Majority Appropriations Chairman, and serves his community in the 186th Legislative District of South and Southwest Philadelphia since his election in 2012. Rising through the ranks, his career includes two historic milestones: being elected Democratic Caucus Whip in 2018 and, several years later, Democratic Appropriations Chair for the 2023-24 session.

Jordan currently serves as a state representative for Pennsylvania’s 186th Legislative District. He was elected in 2012.

Harris has also championed occupational licensure reform, giving countless individuals easier access to licenses that allow them to be gainfully employed and practice a craft. Harris understands that we can’t expect people to be successful without allowing them the tools needed to create a life and career for them and their families.

Jordan Harris for PA — Learn More

HARRISBURG, March 24 - Today, House Majority Appropriations Chairman Jordan A. Harris released the following statement: “Today I formally introduced Governor Shapiro’s proposed 2026-2027 state budget, a plan rooted in one simple idea: Pennsylvanians should be able to afford to live, work, and raise a family in this Commonwealth. “This budget reflects our commitment to making everyday life more affordable while also delivering on the promises we’ve made to our communities.”

House Majority Appropriations Chairman Jordan A. Harris Introduces 2026-27 State Budget Proposal Focused on Affordability and Accountability

“At the same time, we are taking a responsible approach to ensure we are paying for what we promise- making smart, sustainable decisions that protect taxpayers and strengthen our economy for the long term. “We are also committed to delivering an on-time budget that provides certainty for families, schools and businesses across Pennsylvania.”

Championed occupational-licensing reforms to make it easier for people to obtain licenses needed for employment and skilled trades.

Introduced Governor Shapiro's proposed 2026–27 state budget, describing it as focused on affordability, sustainable funding decisions, and long-term economic strength.

- Championed occupational-licensing reforms to make it easier for people to obtain licenses needed for employment and skilled trades.
- Introduced Governor Shapiro's proposed 2026–27 state budget, describing it as focused on affordability, sustainable funding decisions, and long-term economic strength.

Economy

As of October 16, 2026, Jordan A Harris’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Healthcare

As a former teacher, Harris understands the power of education. Calling education the elevator out of poverty, Harris is determined to fix our broken system and ensure that every child has access to a quality education regardless of zip code. Regardless of the means, Harris believes the state needs to meet its constitutional mandate to provide a thorough and efficient system of public education to serve the Commonwealth.

Calling education the elevator out of poverty, Harris is determined to fix our broken system and ensure that every child has access to a quality education regardless of zip code. Regardless of the means, Harris believes the state needs to meet its constitutional mandate to provide a thorough and efficient system of public education to serve the Commonwealth.

Beyond K-12 education, Harris believes individuals need access to any type of higher education they desire, be it a 2-year associate’s degree, 4-year bachelor’s degree, or vocational training. Harris has sponsored the Pennsylvania Promise to make all types of higher education more affordable for Pennsylvanians.

“This budget reflects our commitment to making everyday life more affordable while also delivering on the promises we’ve made to our communities. It prioritizes investments in public education, workforce development, and the services that help people stay safe, healthy and financially stable.”

Believes the state must meet its constitutional duty to provide a thorough and efficient public-education system, including quality education regardless of ZIP code.

Sponsored the Pennsylvania Promise to make associate, bachelor's, and vocational education more affordable.

Introduced a proposed state budget that prioritizes investments in public education and workforce development.

- Believes the state must meet its constitutional duty to provide a thorough and efficient public-education system, including quality education regardless of ZIP code.
- Sponsored the Pennsylvania Promise to make associate, bachelor's, and vocational education more affordable.
- Introduced a proposed state budget that prioritizes investments in public education and workforce development.

Education

Harris has brought back millions of dollars for his South and Southwest Philadelphia community. This state funding has done everything from enhance green space and the beautify the Schuylkill River Trail to lift up local non-profits that serve the community and strengthen and improve sewer systems and pedestrian safety. Harris’ goal is to continue to deliver state funds to transform dilapidated buildings into vibrant mixed-use spaces and ensure that his community has everything it needs to succeed.

This state funding has done everything from enhance green space and the beautify the Schuylkill River Trail to lift up local non-profits that serve the community and strengthen and improve sewer systems and pedestrian safety. Harris’ goal is to continue to deliver state funds to transform dilapidated buildings into vibrant mixed-use spaces and ensure that his community has everything it needs to succeed.

Secured state funding for green space, Schuylkill River Trail improvements, sewer-system upgrades, and pedestrian safety in South and Southwest Philadelphia.

Plans to seek state funding to transform dilapidated buildings into mixed-use spaces in his community.

- Secured state funding for green space, Schuylkill River Trail improvements, sewer-system upgrades, and pedestrian safety in South and Southwest Philadelphia.
- Plans to seek state funding to transform dilapidated buildings into mixed-use spaces in his community.

Energy & the Environment

Rep. Jordan A. Harris June 5, 2023 | 5:49 PM. HARRISBURG, June 5 – State Rep. Jordan Harris, House Appropriations chair, praised the bipartisan passage of House Bill 689, known as Clean Slate 3.0 that he authored with Rep. Sheryl Delozier, and thanked his colleagues for expanding on the good Pennsylvania’s Clean Slate program has achieved since its creation in 2018. “The bipartisan passage of Clean Slate 3.0 shows that Pennsylvania continues to believe in second chances and expand the folks who can access them,” Harris said.

Harris praises overwhelmingly bipartisan House passage of Clean Slate 3.0

The official release identifies House Bill 689 as Clean Slate 3.0, which Harris authored with Rep. Sheryl Delozier. Clean Slate 3.0 builds on Pennsylvania’s original Clean Slate law by making low-level, non-violent drug felonies with a maximum sentence of 30 months eligible for automated sealing. It also permits petition-based sealing of a few other nonviolent felonies and reduces the waiting period for automated sealing of misdemeanors to 7 years.

Harris often says that the criminal justice system can be like quick sand – the harder you try to get out the more it pulls you back in. To counter the negative pull, Harris has championed and helped enact probation reform that removes pitfalls entrapping individuals in the criminal justice system as recently as 2023 when Governor Josh Shapiro signed probation reform legislation into law.

FIXING OUR PROBATION SYSTEM. As former head of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, Harris, with Governor Tom Wolf, tackled gun violence in Philadelphia, securing a $60 million grant and founding the Gun Violence Task Force to address the crisis and improve safety. His advocacy also won an extra $2.5 million for the Task Force, strengthening efforts to make communities safer.

Jordan Harris for PA

As a state representative, authored House Bill 689, Clean Slate 3.0, to expand record sealing for certain nonviolent offenses and shorten misdemeanor sealing wait times.

Championed and helped enact probation reforms intended to remove barriers that can keep people involved in the criminal justice system.

As head of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, worked with Governor Tom Wolf to secure funding and establish a Philadelphia gun-violence task force.

- As a state representative, authored House Bill 689, Clean Slate 3.0, to expand record sealing for certain nonviolent offenses and shorten misdemeanor sealing wait times.
- Championed and helped enact probation reforms intended to remove barriers that can keep people involved in the criminal justice system.
- As head of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, worked with Governor Tom Wolf to secure funding and establish a Philadelphia gun-violence task force.

Public Safety

Voting & Elections

- 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