2026 Pennsylvania General Election 

Joe Hamm

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Joe graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science and government from Lock Haven University, as well as minors in business, psychology and leadership studies. His life goal is to always put country and community first and he has done just that through his time as a combat war veteran, volunteer firefighter, Little League coach, township supervisor, borough manager and now state representative.

About Joe

Joe began his life of service at a young age, joining a local volunteer fire department at 14 years old. He served in the volunteer fire service for over 15 years, during which he rose through the ranks and ultimately earned the position of captain.

Joe currently lives in Cogan Station with his wife, Melissa, and their two daughters, Madison and Kennedy. They are members of Community Baptist Church in Montoursville.

Joe Hamm earned a bachelor's degree in political science and government from Lock Haven University, with minors in business, psychology, and leadership studies. He served in the volunteer fire service for more than 15 years and became a captain. Joe lives in Cogan Station with his wife, Melissa, and their two daughters, and they are members of Community Baptist Church in Montoursville.

Prior to his election to the House of Representatives, Joe served in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard for six years, during which he earned the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) and the Army Commendation Medal while serving in Iraq.

After being honorably discharged, he went on to serve his community as supervisor and board chairman of Hepburn Township, a member of the Tiadaghton Valley Regional Police Commission, chairman of the Lycoming County Republican Committee and as the Jersey Shore Borough manager.

Joe Hamm served in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard for six years. After being honorably discharged, he worked as the borough manager for Jersey Shore.

About Joe

Joe Hamm was first elected to serve the people of the 84th Legislative District in November 2020. During the 2025-26 Legislative Session, he will serve on the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Energy, Judiciary, Transportation, and Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness committees.

Joe was first elected to represent Pennsylvania's 84th Legislative District in November 2020.

Like many citizens raised in central Pennsylvania, Joe was instilled with the traditional values of hard work, personal integrity, and community service. He is committed to protecting those values in the state Capitol while fighting to reduce government spending, eliminate burdensome taxes, create a business-friendly environment so more family-sustaining jobs are created by small business owners, reduce regulations, and ensure Pennsylvania’s struggling agriculture industry has the proper tools and support it needs to be successful.

HARRISBURG – Governor Josh Shapiro delivered his budget proposal in his annual address to the General Assembly yesterday. Representative Joe Hamm (R-Lycoming/Sullivan) shared his strong opposition to the plan and issued the following statement: “Governor Shapiro continues to ignore the fiscal realities Pennsylvania is facing. While hardworking Pennsylvanians and our seniors struggle to make ends meet, the Governor’s budget adds new taxes and excessive spending. Families, farmers, and small businesses cannot afford overspending from their State Government,” Hamm said. “I strongly oppose Governor Shapiro’s proposed budget and call on my colleagues to work with me to craft a budget that puts Pennsylvanians first rather than the Harrisburg establishment.

Rep. Hamm: Governor Shapiro Should Put Pennsylvanians First, Not Harrisburg

Advocates reducing state government spending and eliminating burdensome taxes.

Advocates reducing regulations and creating a business-friendly environment to support small-business job creation.

Supports providing Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry with tools and support to succeed.

Opposes Governor Shapiro’s proposed state budget, citing new taxes and excessive spending.

- Advocates reducing state government spending and eliminating burdensome taxes.
- Advocates reducing regulations and creating a business-friendly environment to support small-business job creation.
- Supports providing Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry with tools and support to succeed.
- Opposes Governor Shapiro’s proposed state budget, citing new taxes and excessive spending.

Economy

Calls for reforms to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse in Human Services programs and lower the state’s structural deficit.

“I call on the Governor and General Assembly to focus on cutting costs like eliminating waste, fraud and abuse from our Human Services programs. There are common-sense reforms that would save taxpayers billions by preventing benefits from being accessed by those who try to cheat the system and take away from those who truly need help. I will continue to put Pennsylvania taxpayers first by getting our recurring structural deficit under control rather than kicking the can down the road year after year,” Hamm said.

Hamm Votes 'No' on Late State Budget

Healthcare

“Supporting our career and technical education programs is one of my top priorities as a state Representative,” Hamm said. “I will continue to fight for increased funding so all interested students have an opportunity to enroll in these programs and have access to quality instructional tools for the best possible hands-on learning experience.”

Hamm: Jersey Shore Area School District Receives Nearly $85K for Career and Technical Education

Despite voting against the annual state spending plan, Hamm mentioned several positives. “We were able to eliminate more than $1 Billion from Gov. Josh Shapiro’s initial proposal. Additionally, this budget preserves the Rainy Day Fund for a time when Pennsylvania will truly need it,” Hamm shared. “The Republicans were also successful in adding $10 Million for Career and Technical Education and stopping Gov. Shapiro’s attack on the highly successful Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program. Our work saved school choice scholarships for thousands of Pennsylvania students.”

“As a dad of two daughters, it is always the right time to stand up for and defend our daughters across the Commonwealth. To hear the testimony of the young female athletes today affirms my stance on this issue,” Hamm said. “Girls cannot be made to feel uncomfortable or undervalued in their own sport. We need to pass this commonsense legislation now to protect Pennsylvania girls.” House Bill 1849 mirrors the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act, which would require public school entities and public institutions of higher education to ensure their sports activities are designated as male, female or coed, and expressly prohibits biological males from competing in teams or sports designated for females.

Lawmakers, Advocates: It's Always the Right Time to Defend Our Daughters

Prioritizes increased funding for career and technical education so interested students can enroll and access instructional tools.

Supports preserving the Educational Improvement Tax Credit program and adding $10 million for career and technical education.

Supports House Bill 1849, which would require male, female, or coed team designations and prohibit “biological males” from female-designated teams.

- Prioritizes increased funding for career and technical education so interested students can enroll and access instructional tools.
- Supports preserving the Educational Improvement Tax Credit program and adding $10 million for career and technical education.
- Supports House Bill 1849, which would require male, female, or coed team designations and prohibit “biological males” from female-designated teams.

Education

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

Energy & the Environment

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