2026 Pennsylvania General Election 

Bob Merski

Facebook

Instagram

Buket Urgen

Robert Merski is a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing the 2nd District since 2019. Merski was born and raised in Erie, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Cathedral Preparatory School and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Pittsburgh. Merski worked as a teacher and coach before entering politics.

Robert Merski

Bob Merski was born and raised in Erie, Pennsylvania. He earned a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Pittsburgh.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 2 - Ballotpedia

Bob Merski previously worked as a teacher and coach.

Robert Merski is a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing the 2nd District since 2019. Merski was born and raised in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Merski was elected to the Pennsylvania House in the 2018 election, defeating incumbent Republican candidate, and has since been re-elected. He is known for his advocacy for public education funding and support for local businesses.

Bob currently serves as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives representing the 2nd District. He was elected in 2018 and has since been reelected.

Merski said other key aspects of the plan will help working families, seniors and residents struggling with housing needs.

“In addition to historic education funding, the new spending plan will use leftover federal rescue dollars to provide a one-time additional rebate under the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program that will help seniors and disabled residents stay in their homes; expand affordable housing, and provide home repair assistance to residents in need. The new budget will also provide funding to stabilize the child care industry and create a new state child and dependent care credit.”

Merski votes for 2022-23 budget, citing historic education funding

“Finally, it will support our small businesses by providing a cut in the corporate tax rate, and it will transfer several billion back to the state’s Rainy Day Fund so we are prepared for any future financial issue that may arise. Most importantly, it holds the line on taxes.

“It’s a plan that helps working people and businesses in our district. No budget is perfect, but I believe the plan we passed is going to move us forward in some very key areas.”

Voted for a state budget providing a one-time property tax and rent rebate, affordable-housing funding, home-repair aid, child care support, and a child care tax credit.

Voted for a state budget that cut the corporate tax rate, added to the Rainy Day Fund, and did not raise taxes.

- Voted for a state budget providing a one-time property tax and rent rebate, affordable-housing funding, home-repair aid, child care support, and a child care tax credit.
- Voted for a state budget that cut the corporate tax rate, added to the Rainy Day Fund, and did not raise taxes.

Economy

“The new plan increases funding for basic education by $525 million and funding for special education by $100 million. It also provides for $225 million in level-up funding, which will bring an additional $6.6 million in funding to the Erie City School District. I worked to ensure that there is also funding for continuation of student mental health services.”

Worked to retain funding for student mental health services in the state budget.

- Worked to retain funding for student mental health services in the state budget.

Healthcare

Voted for a state budget that increased basic and special education funding and added level-up funding for Erie City schools.

“Today, we took a huge step forward with a funding commitment that can begin to change the dynamic for our students – and the future of the state,” Merski said. “Quality education doesn’t just ease the burden on taxpayers and help students succeed, it brings lower unemployment, more stable families, better health outcomes and lower crime rates – and taxpayer savings. This is an investment the state has needed to make for some time, and one it can no longer afford to ignore.

“The new plan increases funding for basic education by $525 million and funding for special education by $100 million. It also provides for $225 million in level-up funding, which will bring an additional $6.6 million in funding to the Erie City School District. I worked to ensure that there is also funding for continuation of student mental health services.”

Education

(Mar 14, 2023) Rep. Robert Merski

ERIE, March 14 – State Rep. Bob Merski, D-Erie, has introduced legislation to develop areas of Lake Erie for wind generation, allowing the region to reap the economic benefits of this clean, renewable energy source. “The lakeshore benefits our region in so many ways, from recreation to tourism to commerce, but we have yet to tap another resource with tremendous potential – the capacity for wind generation.”

Rep. Robert Merski | NewsCenter Search Page

Merski said his H.B. 254 would establish the Lake Erie Wind Energy Development Act, to create a competitive process and award a permit lease to develop certain areas of the lakebed for wind energy generation, with a 2% royalty on gross revenue going to Erie County and several other government entities for lake- and county-related projects. The bill is in the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee.

Introduced House Bill 254 to create a competitive permitting process for Lake Erie wind development and direct 2% of revenue to local projects.

- Introduced House Bill 254 to create a competitive permitting process for Lake Erie wind development and direct 2% of revenue to local projects.

Energy & the Environment

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

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