Election 2026: Democrat Tim Hayes Running For State Representative

Candidates running in the Nov. 3 general election are providing background about themselves and their positions on the issues to voters in these profiles, which will run in Patch when they are received.

BUCKS COUNTY, PA — Democrat Tim Hayes is running for state representative in Pennsylvania's 143rd House District. He is running against incumbent Republican Shelby Labs and Forward Independent candidate Chris Gambino.

Biological Information

1. Name: Tim Hayes
2. Town of Residence: Dublin
3. Position Sought: State Representative, HD-143
4. Party Affiliation: Democrat
5. Family: Engaged.
6. Education: B.A., Temple University; M.P.A., West Chester University
7. Occupation: State Policy Manager, Conservation Voters of PA

Questions

1. Why are you running for state office?

I am running to be the fighter that this district deserves. I have a proven track record of serving the people of Pennsylvania and delivering results for working families, from my time in the Army National Guard, to Dublin Borough Council and state policy manager for an environmental nonprofit. I’m running to utilize that background of service and years of experience working with people from all walks of life and political beliefs to tackle the affordability crisis and promote sustainable community and economic development. I will also work to keep our communities safe by fully funding our first responders. In local office, I’ve done just that– supporting our local firefighters and police and making changes to our borough infrastructure to make it more sustainable while not raising taxes on our residents. I’ll take that same mindset to Harrisburg.

2. Where do you stand on energy production in the state?

Increasing Pennsylvania’s energy production, and our clean energy production in particular, will lower our utility bills while benefiting our communities by creating jobs and decreasing our region’s air pollution. On the campaign trail, I’m always talking up the potential that diversifying our energy portfolio has to reduce utility costs for consumers. In office, I’ll support policies like Governor Shapiro’s Lightning Plan to fast-track our state’s transition to clean energy and be a strong advocate for increasing the share of clean energy in our energy portfolio. I will also support policies to incentivize the manufacturing of clean energy technologies here in our commonwealth to create good union manufacturing jobs and ensure that Pennsylvania remains the leader in energy production that it’s been since the Industrial Revolution.

3. What can be done to curb the increased cost of utilities?

As I mentioned in my previous response, the first and most important thing we can do to bring down utility costs is to get more energy onto the grid. In Harrisburg, I’ll lead the fight to increase our state’s energy production and to increase our state’s share of clean energy in particular. I’ll also be a champion for strict guardrails on data centers to prevent them from driving up our energy costs even more. I believe that data centers should be required to provide their own energy capacity, as was proposed earlier this year in House Bill 1834–a landmark piece of data center legislation that my opponent voted against. In addition to the requirement that data centers help supply their own energy capacity, the bill would have ensured that data centers help cover the cost increases they cause in grid maintenance and transmission while also helping to fund low-income energy assistance programs like LIHEAP.

4. Where do you stand on taxes and the state budget?

As president of Dublin Borough Council, I’ve cut wasteful spending so we could spend more on our first responders and make much-needed upgrades to our infrastructure without raising taxes. In Harrisburg, I’ll take the same approach. By taking a hard look at our budget and getting our priorities in order, the state government has the potential to get a lot done for folks across the commonwealth without adding new taxes or increasing existing ones–and as someone who’s done that before, I’ll lead the charge to get that done in Harrisburg. Pennsylvania also stands to gain new tax revenue from legalizing recreational cannabis; currently, we’re losing out on funds we could reinvest right here in our commonwealth to neighboring states.

As for the state budget, I’ve heard countless voters tell me that they’re tired of the stalemate in Harrisburg that leads to a late budget every year. As someone who’s worked across the aisle to get things done for my community, I’m tired of that stalemate too. When I’m a state representative, I’ll propose a law withholding paychecks from state legislators if they cannot agree on a budget by June 30th. It will serve as a reminder to both the State House of Representatives and State Senate that they’re in office to serve the people–not to collect a comfortable, six-figure paycheck while basic services their constituents need go unfunded.

The 143rd House District covers Bedminster, Hilltown, Plumstead, Tinicum, and a portion of New Britain Township and the boroughs of Dublin, Perkasie, Sellersville, and Silverdale.