A graduate of Kutztown Area High School, Eric is a Berks County native who has devoted his life to serving his community. He continued his education at the Pennsylvania Sheriff/Deputy Sheriff Academy and began his career with the Berks County Sheriff’s Office in 1984 as a deputy sheriff.

About Eric

Weaknecht has also served on the Lower Macungie Township Board of Commissioners. He is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and has worked in various roles in the private sector.

Eric Weaknecht

Eric Weaknecht is a Berks County native. He attended the Pennsylvania Sheriff/Deputy Sheriff Academy and is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 5 - Ballotpedia

His character and leadership were obvious, and he was soon promoted to assistant chief deputy sheriff in charge of the court division in 1996, and again promoted to the position of chief deputy sheriff in 1999.

He is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and has worked in various roles in the private sector.

Eric Weaknecht has worked in various private-sector roles. He began his career as a deputy sheriff with the Berks County Sheriff’s Office and later served as assistant chief deputy sheriff in charge of the court division and as chief deputy sheriff.

Eric has worked in various private-sector roles. He began his career as a deputy sheriff with the Berks County Sheriff’s Office and later served as assistant chief deputy sheriff in charge of the court division and as chief deputy sheriff.

About Eric

State Rep. Eric Weaknecht is in his first term of service to residents of the 5th Legislative District, which consists of the following municipalities in Berks County: the townships of Bethel, Bern, Centre, Heidelberg, Jefferson, Lower Heidelberg, Marion, North Heidelberg, Ontelaunee, Penn, Perry, South Heidelberg, Spring and Tulpehocken; and the boroughs of Bernville, Centerport, Leesport, Robesonia, Shoemakersville, Wernersville and Womelsdorf.

His character and leadership were obvious, and he was soon promoted to assistant chief deputy sheriff in charge of the court division in 1996, and again promoted to the position of chief deputy sheriff in 1999. In 2007, Eric was elected sheriff of Berks County and was re-elected four times.

Weaknecht was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in a special election on March 15, 2011, to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Republican Rep. Doug Reichley. He lost his bid for re-election in 2012 to Democrat Justin Simmons.

Eric Weaknecht is a former member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing the 143rd District from 2011 to 2012. He is a member of the Republican Party.

Eric currently serves as state representative for Pennsylvania’s 5th Legislative District and is in his first term. He was elected sheriff of Berks County in 2007 and was reelected four times. Eric previously represented Pennsylvania’s 143rd District after winning a 2011 special election; he lost his reelection bid in 2012.

2026 Pennsylvania General Election 

Eric’s legislative goals include creating an economic environment that stimulates job creation and economic growth while reducing taxes and burdens on small businesses and working families, defending our state and federal constitutions, supporting law enforcement and the justice system, developing a world-class education system, and providing top quality constituent services to residents of the 5th Legislative District.

“In his address, the governor called for $51.47 billion of spending, an increase of more than 7.5% over the current fiscal year. In order to balance this budget, the Commonwealth would have to deplete the General Fund surplus and drain an additional $1.6 billion from the Rainy Day Fund.

“This is, simply put, bad fiscal policy. If we allowed the surplus and Rainy Day Fund to sit untouched, we would accrue interest that could be utilized to benefit Pennsylvanians. Instead, our governor is proposing to spend our savings to unwisely increase spending without a comparable increase in revenue.

“Many of the measures introduced in the proposal call for economically damaging energy taxes and policies. PA families and our small businesses are already struggling to pay for energy, and cannot afford to pay more. Alongside my Republican colleagues in the House, I am committed to tapping into the great economic potential under our feet while diversifying Pennsylvania’s energy portfolio.”

Weaknecht Responds to Governor's Budget Address

Advocates for reducing taxes and burdens on small businesses and working families to promote job creation and economic growth.

Opposes using state reserves to increase spending without a comparable increase in revenue.

- Advocates for reducing taxes and burdens on small businesses and working families to promote job creation and economic growth.
- Opposes using state reserves to increase spending without a comparable increase in revenue.

Economy

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

Healthcare

HARRISBURG – Continuing his advocacy for fairness in women’s sports, state Rep. Eric Weaknecht (R-Berks) is inviting people to join the “Defending Our Daughters” campaign to show support for the Commonwealth’s female athletes.

All Pennsylvanians are invited to sign the “I Believe” promise to highlight the rights of girls to have a safe, fair and equal playing field; to compete to win games, championships and titles; to earn scholarships; and to have private locker rooms spaces, without males being present.

The promise also reinforces the shared responsibility of all Pennsylvanians, and specifically the state’s leaders, to get off the sidelines to protect and defend female athletes.

Weaknecht: Make the Promise, Defend Our Daughters

Weaknecht Announces $140,000 PAsmart Grant for 5th District

August 20, 2026

HARRISBURG – State Rep. Eric Weaknecht (R-Berks) today announced the Berks County Career and Technology Center has been awarded a $140,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Education through the PAsmart Advance Grant program.

“This grant will help create more opportunities for students to gain hands-on experiences and develop necessary skills for a successful career in STEM, computer science and more. I’m proud to see investments being made in our students and future workforce,” Weaknecht said.

Advancing Grants offer up to $500,000 to support large, cross sector partnerships that expand access to high quality computer science and STEM career and technical education.

Weaknecht Announces $140,000 PAsmart Grant for 5th District | PA State Rep. Eric Weaknecht

Representative Eric Weaknecht (R-Berks) today announced schools across the 5th Legislative District have been awarded more than $276,000 in grants from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency’s School Safety and Security Committee.

“Every student deserves to learn in a safe environment where they can focus on their education and reach their full potential. I’m pleased to see these investments supporting the safety and well-being of students across the 5th District,” said Weaknecht.

Weaknecht Secures School Safety, Mental Health Grants for 5th District | PA State Rep. Eric Weaknecht

Advocates for girls' sports, scholarships, and locker rooms without males present.

Supports investments that expand students' hands-on learning opportunities in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and computer science.

Supports investments in school safety and student well-being.

- Advocates for girls' sports, scholarships, and locker rooms without males present.
- Supports investments that expand students' hands-on learning opportunities in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and computer science.
- Supports investments in school safety and student well-being.

Education

“Many of the measures introduced in the proposal call for economically damaging energy taxes and policies. PA families and our small businesses are already struggling to pay for energy, and cannot afford to pay more. Alongside my Republican colleagues in the House, I am committed to tapping into the great economic potential under our feet while diversifying Pennsylvania’s energy portfolio.

“Fortunately, this proposal is only a beginning to the budget process, followed by weeks of hearings hosted by the Appropriations Committee, and ultimately negotiation and passage by both chambers of the General Assembly before returning to the governor’s desk.”

Opposes energy taxes and policies he says would raise costs, while committing to develop Pennsylvania energy resources and diversify the state's energy sources.

- Opposes energy taxes and policies he says would raise costs, while committing to develop Pennsylvania energy resources and diversify the state's energy sources.

Energy & the Environment

“Recruiting law enforcement officers is critical to keeping our communities safe,” said Weaknecht. “As sheriff, one of my greatest challenges was training qualified deputies only to lose them to departments that could offer higher pay or better benefits. Now, as a state representative, I want to ensure those on the front lines have a voice in identifying what the Commonwealth can do to help.”

The hearing, “Protecting Pennsylvania: Law Enforcement Recruitment and Retention,” was hosted by Rep. Eric Weaknecht (R-Berks) at Reading Regional Airport.

Weaknecht, Policy Committee Highlight Solutions to Strengthen Law Enforcement Workforce

Calls for giving frontline law-enforcement officers a role in identifying state measures to improve recruitment and retention.

- Calls for giving frontline law-enforcement officers a role in identifying state measures to improve recruitment and retention.

Public Safety

Voting & Elections

Twitter

Facebook

- Supports investments that expand students' hands-on learning opportunities in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and computer science.
- Supports investments in school safety and student well-being.

Edward Krutsch

Buket Urgen

Andres R F Santiago

- 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