Election 2026: Steve Santarsiero Is Running For State Senate

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 Steve Santarsiero is running for re-election as state senator in Pennsylvania's 10th senatorial district. He is facing a challenge from Republican Greg Bankos Jr., a Plumstead Township Supervisor.

Biographical Information

Name: Steve Santarsiero
Town Of Residence: Lower Makefield Township

Position Sought: State Senator
Party Affiliation: Democratic
Family: My wife, Ronni, and I have been married for 32 years. We have three children.
Education: JD, University of Pennsylvania Law School, BA, Tufts University, MEd, Holy Family University
Employment: State Senator and Lawyer

Questions

Why are you running for state office?

In the last 8 years, I have made a real difference in the 10 th District, advocating for people in need of support (for example, on behalf of the residents of the Mount Eyre neighborhood in Upper Makefield, whose water, air and soil have been contaminated by a jet fuel leak), securing millions of dollars in grant money for important projects, and writing and passing consequential legislation such as Kayden’s Law (to protect children in custody disputes), Innovate PA 2.0 (investing up to $125 million in the biotechnology sector) and, just this month, a ban on the use of smart phones and related devices in all of our K-12 schools. But there is more to be done. Whether it’s raising the minimum wage, funding SEPTA, regulating AI and data centers, protecting abortion rights, safeguarding the right to unionize, or passing reasonable gun violence protection laws, I will continue to work to get things done.

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

I support the Governor’s PRESS Plan and have sponsored the legislation in the Senate. We need a broad portfolio of energy sources, but we also need to promote more renewable energy to cut carbon emissions and reverse global warming.

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

We need to get more energy production on line, require that data centers provide their own, clean energy and ensure that the PUC rigorously scrutinizes any proposed rate increases.

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

We need to continue investments in education, mass transit and infrastructure, among other things. To do that, we need to tax so-called skill games at the 52% rate that other gaming currently is taxed. That alone will bring in about $1 billion in additional revenue. We also should legalize and regulate recreational marijuana which will bring hundreds of millions of dollars into our general fund. But the best way to raise needed revenue is to continue to grow the economy, which currently is expanding at a 5% rate, much higher than the national average. That is why it is reasonable to use part of our current $8 billion budget surplus to make these investments in our future.

The 10th senatorial district includes: Bristol Borough, Bristol Township, Buckingham Township, Chalfont Borough, Doylestown Borough, Doylestown Township, Falls Township, Lower Makefield, Morrisville Borough, New Britain Borough, New Britain Township, New Hope Borough, Newtown Borough, Newtown Township, Plumstead Township, Solebury Township, Tullytown Borough, Upper Makefield and Yardley Borough.