Chris Pielli seeks reelection to PA House District 156

State Rep. Chris Pielli is running for reelection to Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 156 in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. The Democrat faces Republican Kris R. Vollrath, according to BallotReady election data.

Pielli, a U.S. Army veteran and attorney, has represented District 156 since 2023. He previously served as a West Goshen Township supervisor and as Chester County recorder of deeds.

Candidate information

Party: Democratic
Office sought: Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 156
Election date: Nov. 3, 2026
Education: High school diploma, East Senior High School (1984); bachelor's degree in political science and government, Temple University (1988); juris doctor, Temple University (2000)
Military service: U.S. Army (1989–1995)
Legal licenses: Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey, according to his campaign website
Campaign website: chrispielli.com

Experience and public service

Pielli served in the U.S. Army from 1989 to 1995, where he said he completed the Army Airborne Course and received two Army Commendation Medals. He later worked as a correctional officer and correctional counselor at Chester County Prison, according to his campaign website.

He ran a private law practice from 2004 to 2017 and served as an attorney at Pine & Pine, LLP from 2017 to 2020, according to BallotReady profile data. He said he served as an arbitrator for the Chester County Court of Common Pleas arbitration panel and as a court-appointed attorney for guardianship matters.

Pielli also directed the Chester County OIC Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program and coordinated the Chester County OIC Workforce Reintegration Program, according to his campaign site.

He won election as a West Goshen Township supervisor in 2016 and served until 2020. He then served as Chester County recorder of deeds from 2020 to 2022 before winning his current state House seat, according to BallotReady.

In the legislature, Pielli said he chairs the Automation and Technology Subcommittee of the Commerce Committee and serves as secretary of the Judiciary Committee. He also sits on the Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities; Environmental and Natural Resource Protection; Energy; and Veteran Affairs and Emergency Preparedness committees.

Pielli said he obtained nearly $6.6 million in 2025 grants for infrastructure projects, first responders, equipment upgrades and residents in need. He also said two of his bills passed the Pennsylvania State Senate unanimously in 2025. HB 355 allows sentencing enhancements in sexual assault cases involving defendants who hold positions of authority. HB 491 establishes concurrent jurisdiction between Pennsylvania and the federal government on state military installations. Both were signed by Gov. Shapiro, Pielli said.

On the issues

Pielli outlines these positions on his campaign issues page:

Education: Pielli said he will fight for fair funding for public schools and promote public preschool opportunities throughout the district.

Economy: He said he will work for fiscal policies and economic opportunities to protect the middle class, small businesses and minorities. He said he opposes efforts to eliminate prevailing wage requirements.

Environment: Pielli said he pledges to protect air, water and the shared environment. He pointed to his record as a West Goshen Township supervisor, saying he fought against a pipeline project.

Healthcare and reproductive rights: He said he will defend access to affordable health care, including reproductive rights. He said he opposes anti-abortion policy measures.

Veterans: Pielli served in the Army. He said he will fight to ensure veterans receive the care and support they deserve.