Who's running in Pennsylvania's 9th 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 · Dan Meuser 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.
Recovering improper overpayments in Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security; he has filed a bill to do it and says he will not vote to cut benefits for people currently eligible.
Tax and trade policy, as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee.
Financial services and banking regulation.
Data centre and energy development in the district, a subject of his 2026 telephone town halls.
Lower health care costs.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
U.S. Representative for the 9th District since January 2019; re-elected in 2024 with 70.5%.
Pennsylvania Secretary of Revenue, 2011 to 2015; former medical equipment company executive.
Member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Financial Services Committee.
Holds telephone town halls and meetings with veterans, farmers and chambers of commerce; when asked to name a recent open public town hall, he cited those meetings and campaign events rather than an open forum.
Endorsed for re-election by President Trump in November 2025.
Arguments in favor
President Trump endorsed his re-election, saying he will never let voters down.
— President Donald Trump
His campaign says he has spent his time travelling the twelve counties of the district and meeting veterans, farmers and business groups, and that he has filed legislation to recover improper government overpayments while pledging not to cut benefits for people currently eligible.
— The Meuser campaign
Arguments against
Constituents have held weekly protests demanding an in-person town hall, gathering in six counties of the district on a single day in June 2026. The series began as "Mondays with Meuser" in March 2025 and was renamed "Mondays without Meuser" when he did not appear.
— Organisers of the Mondays without Meuser protests, reported by LebTown
Constituents challenged him on his health care voting record during a telephone town hall, arguing the cuts he supported go too far.
— Constituents on Meuser's September 2026 telephone town hall, reported by LebTown
What we couldn’t verify
Meuser disputes the accessibility criticism and says he is constantly in the district; the record above sets out both his account and what he cited when asked for a specific open forum.
How his stated pledge not to cut benefits for current recipients squares with his votes on the 2025 budget package was not established from sources read.
His 2026 fundraising was not established from sources read.
Health care availability and lower health care prices.
Lowering the cost of living and raising wages.
Union rights.
Keeping federal promises to veterans and farmers.
Federal funding for fire companies, health clinics and community projects.
Investment in small businesses and farms.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Worked in the U.S. Senate, at the U.S. Department of State, and as chief of staff at the White House Office of Management and Budget.
From Pottsville, Schuylkill County.
Won the May 19, 2026 Democratic primary against Jennifer Brothers and Daniel Byron.
Has not held elected office.
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 Wallace by name could be found. Searched: her name with 'criticism', with 'opponent', against National Republican Congressional Committee material, against Dan Meuser's campaign, and against LebTown, PoliticsPA and Fox43 coverage of the district. 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 more than forty points in 2024; how she plans to change that was not established beyond her emphasis on health care and costs.
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 Dan Meuser faces Democrat Rachel Wallace, who won a three-candidate Democratic primary. The district covers north-central and eastern Pennsylvania across twelve counties, including Williamsport, Bloomsburg and Lebanon, and has been safely Republican. Roster confirmed against Ballotpedia, PoliticsPA and LebTown reporting. Criticism of Wallace 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.