State Representative
November 3, 2026 · State House District 2; Pennsylvania · State house district · general
How do we calculate vote impact?
Vote impact = representation (how much weight one vote carries here, the smaller the district's population, the higher the representation) + decisiveness (how likely this race is to be close, based on past results and number of candidates).
Representation: Average · 50 out of 100
This district is mid-sized for its type, so each vote carries average weight. About 64,229 people live here.
score = 100 × ln(largest population ÷ this district's) ÷ ln(largest ÷ smallest), rounded to 2 decimals = 100 × ln(71,778 ÷ 64,229) ÷ ln(71,778 ÷ 57,600) = 50.5, comparing state house districts in PA (grades: 66+ high, 33+ average, otherwise low)
Decisiveness: None · only 1 candidate
One candidate is running unopposed, so votes can't change the outcome.
Average representation + an uncontested race → Below average vote impact.
This office is responsible for:
- Voting on state laws and the state budget
- Representing their district in the statehouse
- Serving on committees that shape bills before final votes
- Helping district residents deal with state agencies
Affected Areas: Environment and Public Health, Reduce Wealth Gap, Anti-Corruption, Government Efficiency, Healthcare Affordability, Government Spending Reduction, Public Safety and Crime Control, Housing Affordability, Social Programs and Welfare, Public Education Quality, Gun Control, Women's Reproductive Rights, Election Integrity, Personal Income Tax Reduction, Data Privacy, Civil Rights, Corporate Accountability, Public Infrastructure
Candidates
Robert Merski
Democratic · Incumbent · declared
Robert "Bob" Merski is a Pennsylvania State Representative for the 2nd District in Erie, serving since 2019. A lifelong Erie resident, he graduated from Cathedral Preparatory School, earned an education degree from Mercyhurst University and a master's from Wilkes University, and taught social studies for 16 years in the Erie City School District after earlier teaching in Erie's Catholic schools and the Corry School District. He served seven years on Erie City Council, co-founded the South East Hills Neighborhood Watch and the South East Erie Farmers Market, and was appointed to the Pennsylvania Grade Crude Development Advisory Council in 2024.
Election sources
Source: ballotpedia.org