Who's running in Pennsylvania's 13th congressional district
2 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
2 candidates · ballot order · John Joyce currently holds this seat
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Health policy from a physician's perspective, as a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee.
Domestic energy production.
The Republican budget and tax agenda, including the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which he voted for twice.
Rural infrastructure and agriculture in a largely rural district.
Border security and immigration enforcement.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
U.S. Representative for the 13th District since January 2019.
Dermatologist by profession before Congress.
Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
Voted twice for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Endorsed for re-election by President Trump in November 2025.
Arguments in favor
President Trump endorsed his re-election.
— President Donald Trump
His campaign presents him as the district's doctor in Congress — a practising physician on the committee with jurisdiction over health policy.
— The Joyce campaign
Arguments against
His opponent says his two votes for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act cut Medicaid for about 17,000 people and food assistance for about 6,000 people in this district, and ended Affordable Care Act subsidies for others.
— Beth Farnham's campaign
Constituents say he has not answered phone calls, letters or requests for an in-person town hall; a local outlet covered an event at which his name was called repeatedly and he was absent while his challenger attended.
— Constituents quoted by Gettysburg Connection
What we couldn’t verify
The Medicaid and SNAP figures for the district come from his opponent's campaign and were not independently verified here.
Joyce's response to the accessibility criticism was not established from sources read.
His 2026 fundraising was not established from sources read.
Writing reproductive freedom into federal law, including abortion, gender-affirming care, contraception and IVF.
A national health care programme covering all treatment and preventive care.
Affordability, and tax policy aimed at ordinary households rather than the very wealthy.
Public education funding, with no federal money for private or parochial schools through vouchers.
Gun safety and immigration reform.
Rural infrastructure and local economies across the district.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Former local school board member; has worked as a credit analyst, administrative assistant and pharmacy technician.
Democratic nominee for this district in 2024; lost to John Joyce.
Won the May 19, 2026 Democratic primary.
Has campaigned on attendance at public events her opponent has not attended.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
No published criticism of Farnham by name could be found. Searched: her name with 'criticism', with 'opponent', against National Republican Congressional Committee material, against John Joyce's campaign, and against Gettysburg Connection, Fox43 and Altoona and Johnstown coverage. Because no case against her exists on the record, no case for her is presented either.
Her endorsements and fundraising were not established from sources read.
The district voted Republican by a wide margin in 2024; how she intends to change that was not established.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
Pennsylvania held its primary on May 19, 2026. Republican incumbent John Joyce faces Democrat Beth Farnham in a rematch of 2024. The district covers rural south-central Pennsylvania including Johnstown, Altoona and Gettysburg, and is one of the most Republican in the state. Roster confirmed against Ballotpedia, Fox43 and Gettysburg Connection reporting. Criticism of Farnham by name could not be found, so her entry carries no arguments in either column.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A Pennsylvania ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.
Your ballot is determined by your election authority, not by us. Verify your registration, precinct, and sample ballot at Pennsylvania Department of State.