PA-166 State Representative Election Profile: Judy Trombetta

HAVERFORD TOWNSHIP, PA — The 166th District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives has a contested Democratic primary.

State Rep. Greg Vitali, who has represented the district since 1993, is facing a primary challenge from Haverford Township Board of Commissioners President Judy Trombetta.

Patch sent questions to both candidates and will publish responses as they're received. All candidate profiles will be re-shared closer to Election Day, which is May 19.

The 166th District includes Haverford Township and part of Marple. Here's a search tool from PA Voter Services to help you find out which Pennsylvania House of Representatives district you live in.

Trombetta submitted the following responses:

• Age: 41
• Previous or current elected or appointed office (include which years you served in each role):
  • 2022-Present: Haverford Township Commissioner, 4th Ward
    • Vice President, 2022-24
    • President, 2025 to present
• Education:
  • Master of Social Work, University of Pittsburgh
  • Bachelor of Social Work, Temple University
  • Certification in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion In the Workplace, University of South Florida Muma College of Business
• Occupation (outside of elected office): Intergovernmental Affairs Manager, Montgomery County
• Campaign website: www.judytrombetta.com
• Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? No.

What are the key differences between you and your primary opponent when it comes to policy?

Generally speaking, I believe my opponent and I would vote similarly on many major issues. We share many core Democratic values. However, I do not believe the effectiveness of a state representative can be measured by voting records alone.

One of the key differences between us is the scope and balance of the issues we prioritize. My opponent has dedicated almost exclusively the vast majority of his attention throughout his tenure to environmental issues, while giving less attention to other important and timely matters facing our community. I care deeply about environmental policy (as evidenced by my work as Haverford Township Commissioner and in previous staff roles) and I do believe that environmental policy absolutely deserves attention and strong advocacy.

However, I also believe a state representative must engage more broadly and be equally attentive to the full range of issues impacting residents’ daily lives. Our community deserves leadership that is actively working on public education, voting rights, preserving vital services, and public transit, among many other priorities. For example, public transportation has been a significant part of both state budget discussions. Despite that importance on both fiscal and environmental fronts, my opponent was not actively engaged in many of the recent public transit conversations that directly affected residents across our region.

Furthermore, I think we take a significantly different leadership style and approach to the policy-making role. Effective legislating is about engagement, responsiveness, coalition-building, and the ability to advance meaningful legislation that addresses the evolving needs of the community.

In my view, real legislative success depends on identifying gaps or unmet needs, drafting legislation to address them, co-sponsoring legislation that you stand behind, and building the relationships necessary to move those bills through the legislative process. Too often in Harrisburg, good proposals stall because of political gridlock and a lack of productive working relationships.

My opponent has introduced a comparatively small amount of legislation to his counterparts and has had limited success advancing bills to final passage despite a long tenure in office. In my view, this may reflect differences in approach to the legislative process, including the importance of sustained relationship-building, adaptability, and collaboration in advancing legislation in Harrisburg.

How have you helped improve the lives of your constituents, and what actions did you take to deliver those results?

I have been in public service for over 15 years, and much of that time has been focused on practical, behind-the-scenes work helping residents access services, navigate government, and connect with available resources.

As an elected official in Haverford Township, I have also been proud to be part of a governing body that has taken a number of important steps to improve quality of life for residents. That includes significant investment in the Haverford Township Free Library, which serves as a community hub. We have also expanded and improved our trail systems, helping to enhance recreation, connectivity, and quality of life throughout the township. In addition, we have continued to invest in our parks and public spaces, ensuring that families have welcoming places to gather and enjoy the community. Strengthening public safety services has also remained a consistent priority, helping to ensure residents feel safe in their neighborhoods.

Each of these efforts reflects a shared commitment to making thoughtful, long-term investments that directly improve the day-to-day experience of the people we serve. While these accomplishments are the result of collaborative work, I am proud to have been part of the decision-making and advocacy that helped move these initiatives forward.

Looking ahead, I hope to continue that service in an expanded capacity, building on this experience to deliver results at the state level, where the opportunity exists to address even broader challenges and bring resources back to our community in meaningful ways.

Many residents in District 166 have expressed support for their immigrant neighbors and concerns about ICE. How would you help protect residents who may fear detainment or violations of their civil liberties?

In Haverford Township, I supported the Board of Commissioners’ adoption of Resolution 2476-2026, which prohibits township law enforcement from participating in the enforcement of civil, non-criminal federal immigration laws, including ICE civil immigration actions. I view this as a proactive measure that provides clear guidance to our police department and ensures officers are never placed in the difficult position of navigating conflicting expectations between federal civil immigration requests and their fundamental responsibility to protect and serve all residents of the community.

This approach helps reinforce a clear separation between local public safety functions and federal civil immigration enforcement, while strengthening trust between residents and law enforcement. When residents feel safe interacting with local police without fear or hesitation, it enhances public safety for everyone.

At the state level, I would support policies that build on these principles, protecting due process and ensuring that civil immigration enforcement remains clearly distinct from local policing responsibilities.

In what ways should AI-powered technology, including data centers, be regulated in Pennsylvania?

My position on the growth of data centers in Pennsylvania is that while technological innovation and economic development are important to the state’s economic vitality, they must never come at the expense of public health, environmental sustainability, community well-being, or the reliability of our infrastructure and energy systems.

Data centers are becoming an increasingly significant part of the modern economy and support many of the technologies people rely on every day. However, their rapid expansion also raises legitimate concerns that deserve serious attention and strong oversight.

Large-scale data centers can place enormous demands on electricity grids, water supplies, and local infrastructure, while also creating potential environmental and quality-of-life impacts for surrounding communities. As Pennsylvania continues to evaluate these projects, we must ensure that growth is being approached responsibly and with long-term sustainability in mind. Communities should not be left to absorb the consequences of inadequate planning or weak regulation.

As State Representative, I would support strong safeguards and thoughtful regulation to ensure these developments are compatible with the health, safety, and interests of local residents. That includes environmental reviews, careful oversight of energy and water usage, and meaningful local zoning and community input.

I believe Pennsylvania can remain competitive and continue to attract investment while also setting high standards for accountability and sustainability. Economic growth and innovation should move forward in a way that is responsible, transparent, and community-focused. With proper oversight and planning, we can support technological advancement while protecting the people and resources that make our communities strong.

Should Pennsylvania state legislators have term limits?

I do not believe that Pennsylvania state legislators necessarily need term limits, provided they continue to remain responsive to the needs of their constituents and evolve alongside the changing priorities and challenges facing their communities. Public service is most effective when elected officials remain engaged, accessible, and committed to delivering meaningful results for the people they represent. Legislators should continually strive for progress by introducing thoughtful legislation, expanding constituent services, advocating for policies that improve quality of life, and working to bring grant funding and other opportunities back to their districts.

There is real value in institutional knowledge and experience, particularly in state government where understanding complex policy issues, navigating legislative processes, and building collaborative relationships can lead to stronger outcomes for communities. When experience is paired with energy, innovation, and a genuine commitment to public service, it can be an asset rather than a liability.

However, longevity in office should never be viewed as an entitlement. Elected officials have a responsibility to continue learning, adapting, and responding to the evolving needs of the people they serve. Communities change over time, and leadership must change with them. If a legislator becomes stagnant, complacent, disconnected from constituents, or unwilling to evolve with changing circumstances, then it may be time for new leadership and fresh perspectives. Public office should be about service and results.

The Democratic Party continues to have low approval ratings in polls, despite President Trump's unpopularity. What do you attribute this to, and how will you play a role in reversing this trend?

I believe one of the primary reasons many voters have become frustrated with the Democratic Party (and with government more broadly) is that too many people feel unheard, overlooked, or disconnected from the political process. Across communities, there are residents who feel that their concerns are not being acknowledged, that decisions are being made without their input, or that government is no longer responsive to the everyday challenges they face. When people lose confidence that leaders are listening to them or advocating for their needs, trust in institutions naturally declines.

Rebuilding that trust begins with engagement and accessibility. I believe the key is bringing more people into the conversation, creating meaningful opportunities for dialogue, and ensuring that residents feel seen, heard, and valued. Strong leadership is not just about speaking - it is about listening, responding thoughtfully, and acting on what you learn from the community. People want to know that their voices matter and that their elected officials are working on their behalf.

As a current elected official, I work hard to prioritize that level of accessibility and responsiveness. I regularly host town halls and community meetings to hear directly from residents, and I make it a point to remain personally accessible through email, phone calls, and conversations in the community. I also communicate consistently through a weekly newsletter sent to subscribing members of the Haverford Township community so residents remain informed about local issues, opportunities, and resources. These efforts are important because trust is built through ongoing communication and genuine engagement.

I believe the best legislators are those who are accessible, who listen carefully, and who take action based on what they hear from their constituents. Reversing declining trust in government and political institutions will require leaders who are willing to meet people where they are, engage with differing perspectives respectfully, and demonstrate through their actions that government can still be a force for positive change in people’s everyday lives. I look forward to being a part of the solution.