2026 Pennsylvania General Election 

Joanna E McClinton

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Growing up in a struggling community instilled a deep sense of compassion and a steadfast commitment to justice that propelled Joanna’s career. A lifelong resident of southwest Philadelphia and a graduate of Grace Temple Christian Academy, Joanna McClinton sparked a passion for serving her community during her internship with WDAS, a local music radio station.

Meet Joanna

Joanna McClinton sparked a passion for serving her community during her internship with WDAS, a local music radio station. Honing her skills as a young community leader, Joanna studied political science and leadership in global understanding at La Salle University, where she became both a student leader and local neighborhood tutor.

Immediately after graduating from LaSalle, she enrolled in the Villanova University School of Law and seized opportunities to put her legal training to work for her community. Interning with Regional Housing Legal Services, Joanna saw firsthand how the dire lack of community resources and our out-of-touch justice system was hurting our neighbors — most especially people of color — and became inspired to pursue a path in public defense.

Rep. McClinton is active in the community. She was a youth leader at her West Philadelphia home church, Open Door Mission for more than 10 years.

Hon. Joanna E. McClinton

She is a volunteer with Outreach to Youth and Hands of Compassion American Sign Language Ministry.

Joanna E McClinton is a lifelong resident of southwest Philadelphia. She studied political science and leadership in global understanding at La Salle University and later enrolled in Villanova University School of Law. She was a youth leader at Open Door Mission for more than 10 years and volunteers with Outreach to Youth and Hands of Compassion American Sign Language Ministry.

Rep. Joanna E. McClinton, Esq. - The CSE Institute

Wielding an acute insight into the failures of our justice system, Joanna took a position as an assistant public defender after graduating and remained in the office for seven years until she was named assistant chief of the East Zone. Then, in 2013, she combined her passion for advocacy and the law serving as chief counsel to state senator Anthony Hardy Williams, where she worked to develop policy and legislation, organize civil record expungement fairs and public policy forums, and strengthen the ties between our legislature and our community.

Joanna served as chief counsel to state senator Anthony Hardy Williams. She previously worked as an assistant public defender and was named assistant chief of the East Zone.

Meet Joanna

On August 15, 2015, Joanna McClinton, Esquire, took an oath of office to serve the people of Pennsylvania’s 191st Legislative District. Since then, she’s shattered the legislative glass ceiling in our general assembly.

Political Career

Before her election to the Pennsylvania House, McClinton worked as an attorney and served as the Deputy General Counsel for the Pennsylvania Department of State. She was first elected to the House in a special election in 2015 and has been re-elected multiple times since then.

Joanna McClinton

Joanna was first elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 191st Legislative District in a 2015 special election and has been re-elected multiple times since.

Joanna McClinton - Ballotpedia

Our Economy

A fierce advocate for paid family leave, Joanna knows the first step to rebuilding our economy and expanding job opportunities is to take care of our workers and their families. With Speaker McClinton at the helm, the Pennsylvania House has invested hundreds of thousands of dollars into workforce development and child care programs across the commonwealth to help our communities get back on their feet. Better jobs and better benefits will create a brighter future for Pennsylvanians.

Joanna McClinton for Pennsylvania

Advocates for paid family leave as part of efforts to expand job opportunities and support workers and their families.

As Speaker, led investment by the Pennsylvania House in workforce development and child care programs.

- Advocates for paid family leave as part of efforts to expand job opportunities and support workers and their families.
- As Speaker, led investment by the Pennsylvania House in workforce development and child care programs.

Economy

As of October 16, 2026, Joanna E McClinton’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Healthcare

Our Youth

For far too long, zip codes have determined the outcomes for our children. Born and raised in 19143, Speaker McClinton knows better than most legislators how critical it is that we invest in all of our students to ensure they stay out of the school-to-prison pipeline and remain on the path to becoming healthy, productive Pennsylvanians. In addition to championing universal pre-kindergarten and after-school enrichment programs, Speaker McClinton has spearheaded the fight to secure fair funding for public schools across the commonwealth. Every child is an investment in our future, and Joanna will work to nurture the wealth of potential in our community.

Champions universal pre-kindergarten and after-school enrichment programs.

Advocates for fair funding for public schools across Pennsylvania.

- Champions universal pre-kindergarten and after-school enrichment programs.
- Advocates for fair funding for public schools across Pennsylvania.

Education

Energy & the Environment

Our Justice System

Even though thousands of incarcerated Pennsylvanians are found innocent in the court of law each year, many struggle to shake legal charges from their records over time. Speaker McClinton is committed to ensuring the innocent are fully free. As state representative, she fought to provide opportunities for record expungement in the cases of unconditional pardoning and full acquittal of all charges. Our commonwealth thrives when our criminal justice system works for everyone, and that includes advocating for the innocent.

Advocates for expunging records for people who received unconditional pardons or were fully acquitted of all charges.

- Advocates for expunging records for people who received unconditional pardons or were fully acquitted of all charges.

Public Safety

Our Democracy

Our legislators have a responsibility to uphold—not undermine—our democracy. As Republicans at the national level and here in Pennsylvania continue waging attacks against our voting rights, Joanna McClinton has proven that she will unequivocally fight to protect our access to the ballot box. Working with state Democrats to introduce the K. Leroy Irvis Voting Rights Act, a major voting rights expansion bill, Speaker McClinton has made it a top priority to invest in measures that will strengthen our election processes and ensure all Pennsylvanians have a voice at the polls.

Introduced the K. Leroy Irvis Voting Rights Act, a voting-rights expansion bill, and prioritizes measures to strengthen election processes.

- Introduced the K. Leroy Irvis Voting Rights Act, a voting-rights expansion bill, and prioritizes measures to strengthen election processes.

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