U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, a Democrat who has represented Pennsylvania's 6th Congressional District since 2019, is seeking reelection in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

She faces Republican Marty Young.

The 6th District includes Chester County. Houlahan, according to her campaign website, made history as the first woman and the first Democrat since the Civil War elected to the seat.

Candidate information

  • Office sought: U.S. House of Representatives, Pennsylvania 6th Congressional District
  • Party: Democratic
  • Ballot status: Certified for the ballot, according to BallotReady election data
  • Education: Bachelor's degree in engineering, Stanford University (1989); master's degree in technology and policy, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1994)
  • Military service: Captain, U.S. Air Force (1989–1992)
  • Family background: Daughter and granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, according to her congressional biography. She grew up in a military family.

Experience and public service

Houlahan has served in the U.S. House since 2019, according to BallotReady profile data. She sits on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, according to City & State PA.

Her congressional biography states she led bipartisan legislation on the House Foreign Affairs Committee to address global malnutrition, signed into law in October 2022. She has received three Congressional Management Foundation Democracy Awards for transparency and accountability, constituent services and workplace environment. Her biography notes she is the first member of Congress to win two categories in a single term.

Before Congress, Houlahan worked as a chemistry teacher through Teach for America at Simon Gratz High School in North Philadelphia, according to her congressional biography. BallotReady data lists additional roles:

  • Industrial engineer at Alphatech (1995)
  • Executive vice president of retail at AND1 (2004–2005)
  • Vice president of operations and business services at a B Corporation (2008–2010)
  • Chemistry teacher at Mastery Charter Schools (2011–2012)
  • President and chief operating officer/chief financial officer at Springboard Collaborative (2012–2016)

On the issues

Houlahan outlines several policy priorities on her campaign website. All positions below are the candidate's own statements.

Economy: Houlahan says she serves on the Small Business Committee and uses her private-sector background to promote solutions for job growth and affordable costs. She says she leads the New Dem Economic Growth and Cost of Living Working Group and co-founded the BIOTech Caucus.

Healthcare: Houlahan says no American should have to choose between health insurance and paying rent. She supports the Women's Health Protection Act, which she says codifies Roe v. Wade, and opposes efforts to defund Planned Parenthood.

Environment: Houlahan calls for reaching carbon neutrality by 2050 through aggressive deployment of existing technologies and development of new ones.

Gun safety: Houlahan supports what she describes as common-sense gun safety legislation, citing more than 1,500 gun deaths reported in Pennsylvania in 2019.

Education: Houlahan says she is working on school infrastructure investments, increasing teacher pay and making higher education more affordable.

Endorsements

The following endorsements are listed by BallotReady, credited to each endorser:

  • Sierra Club
  • democracyFIRST
  • Giffords
  • JStreetPAC
  • Democratic Majority for Israel PAC
  • AFL-CIO
  • Chester County Democratic Commitee
  • Population Connection Action Fund
  • New Politics
  • Serve America PAC
  • Humane Society of the United States
  • Jewish Democratic Council of America
  • Joint Action Committee for Political Affairs
  • GiveGreen
  • Foreign Policy for America Action Network
  • 314 Action
  • Seven Mountains Central Labor Council
  • PA Conference of Teamsters
  • Johnstown Regional Central Labor Council
  • Harrisburg Region Central Labor Council
  • Greater Wilkes-Barre Labor Council
  • Blair-Bedford Central Labor Council
  • Five County United Labor Council
  • National Education Association

Houlahan says her offices in Chester and Berks counties have helped constituents reclaim over $13 million in backlogged federal benefits including veterans' benefits, tax refunds and Social Security payments.