2026 Pennsylvania General Election 

Jesse Topper

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Topper is a lifelong resident of Bedford County and has two sons. Throughout his life, he has been very active in his community, participating in 4-H and the Boy Scouts, where he earned the rank of Eagle Scout.

About Jesse

A homeschooled graduate, Topper earned his bachelor’s degree from Frostburg State University. He is also a graduate of Leadership Bedford County and the Harry Wendelstedt Umpire School.

Topper has remained active in his community, including having served as first and second vice president of the Bedford County Chamber of Commerce, as well as Bedford Borough Council. He also enjoys playing piano and organ at local churches and serving as a PIAA official in basketball and baseball.

Jesse Topper is a lifelong resident of Bedford County. He earned a bachelor's degree from Frostburg State University. He has two sons and plays piano and organ at local churches.

He also coaches football at Bedford High School, where he was a three-sport athlete.

Jesse coaches football at Bedford High School.

Mr. MARKS. Mr. Speaker, I have the honor of presenting the election returns and statement of campaign expense compliance for the special election held on January 28, 2014, in the 78th Legislative District. I have the honor to present the official returns of the Special Election for Representative in the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania held in the seventy-eighth Legislative District, as the same have been certified to and filed with my office by the Bedford, Fulton, and Huntingdon County Boards of Elections. Jesse Topper, having received the highest number of votes in the Special Election, and having complied with the provisions of Article XVI of the Pennsylvania Election Code pertaining to Primary and Election Expenses, was duly elected a Representative in the General Assembly.

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Rep. Jesse Topper has been the voice of his neighbors of the 78th Legislative District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives since he was elected in 2014. In 2024, his Republican colleagues elected him as the House Republican Leader for the 2025-26 session.

Jesse serves as the state representative for Pennsylvania's 78th Legislative District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. He was first elected in 2014.

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

Economy

Healthcare

Education

Energy & the Environment

Public Safety

In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation that would clarify our Election Code’s consideration of voters who vote through a valid absentee ballot, but subsequently pass away prior to election day. Currently, these ballots are meant to be rejected by the canvassers, but only if they are provided “due proof” that the voter has died. In reality, many of these ballots are likely counted, which the Code stipulates does not invalidate any election. Our voters deserve to be secure in the knowledge that their vote will be counted, regardless of events which may befall them after submitting their absentee ballot. More importantly, the standard for counting votes must be consistent, and this bill will resolve the discrepancy between the counting of many of these votes, the rejection of those whose deaths have been proven, and the exemption from any vote invalidating an election. Please join me in supporting this important reform. Document - Introduced as HB 566. Circulated By TOPPER.

House Co-Sponsorship Memo 28106 Information; 2019-2020 Regular Session - PA House of Representatives

Supports voter identification while saying his caucus has concerns about the details of a proposed bill.

Republican leaders in the House asked Democrats, who control the chamber, to not to bring the bill up for its scheduled vote Tuesday, according to Democratic House Majority Leader Matthew Bradford, D-Montgomery. Voter ID only has marginal support from Democrats, but enough to pass certain versions of the bill with Republican support. “ Democrats are a pragmatic group,” Bradford said. “We know we have had limited support for it. In the past, Republicans have clamored for this type of legislation.” Zimmerman and three other Republicans introduced stricter versions of voter ID bills that have not moved in the House. Two of those bills, including Zimmerman’s, would require constitutional amendments. Democrats will not support any bills “that would impair or infringe the right to vote, let alone in the Constitution,” Bradford said. “While I strongly support Voter ID, it is clear that our caucus has specific concerns with the details of this bill and we are continuing to try to work through those concerns,” said House Republican Leader Jesse Topper, R-Bedford, in a statement released by his office. Topper’s office did not answer questions about the caucus’ specific concerns.

Pa. House drops voter ID, passes sweeping election reforms | WITF

Proposes House Bill 566 to clarify Election Code standards for absentee ballots cast by voters who die before election day.

- Proposes House Bill 566 to clarify Election Code standards for absentee ballots cast by voters who die before election day.

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