Representative Joe Emrick has spent his political career quietly voting to strip away rights from LGBTQ+ people, women, and public school students—while avoiding public accountability. As a Republican state representative in Pennsylvania’s 137th District, he has aligned himself with the national anti-equality movement through votes, silence, and strategic inaction.
From supporting anti-trans sports bans to backing constitutional efforts to outlaw abortion, Emrick has consistently sided with the far-right fringe—even as his suburban Biden-won district moves in the opposite direction.
Now, after two narrow re-election wins and growing pressure from progressive organizers in Northampton County, Emrick may finally be out of time. Agenda PAC is watching—and organizing to make sure he’s held accountable.
Key Vulnerabilities
Anti-LGBTQ+ Record: Voted for HB 972 banning trans kids from school sports (vetoed but on record).
Abortion Extremism: Supported HB 1500 to amend the state constitution and block abortion protections.
No LGBTQ+ Support: Never backed nondiscrimination or inclusive policy; holds 0% rating from LGBTQ+ groups.
Swing District Risk: Represents suburban Northampton County district trending Democratic; last two wins under 4%.
Key Takeaways
Backed HB 972 trans sports ban.
Voted for HB 1500 abortion ban amendment.
Consistently supported Planned Parenthood defunding.
No record of LGBTQ+ nondiscrimination support or Pride recognition.
District shifting blue: Biden won in 2020, Democrats now lead registration, margins razor-thin in 2022 and 2024.
LGBTQ+ & Reproductive Rights Voting Record
HB 972 (2022): YES – Trans sports ban.
HB 1500 (2021): YES – Abortion ban amendment.
Planned Parenthood defunding: YES – multiple sessions.
Nondiscrimination legislation: NO support or action.
District Landscape
District: PA House 137 (Northampton County).
Presidential Outcome: Biden carried district in 2020.
Recent Margins:
2022: Emrick 51.1% – Thomas 48.9%.
2024: Emrick 51.8% – Thomas 48.2%.
Voter Registration: Democrats hold slim edge; ~20% independents.
Joe Emrick is a veteran lawmaker clinging to power in a district that’s moved past him—clinging, too, to a legislative record that targets LGBTQ+ youth and strips away reproductive rights. He doesn’t lead on policy; he obstructs progress. And in a suburban district that voted for Joe Biden and nearly unseated him twice, Emrick’s extremism is finally catching up with him.
He has:
Voted to ban trans students from playing school sports consistent with their gender identity.
Supported a constitutional amendment to block abortion rights in Pennsylvania.
Repeatedly refused to support nondiscrimination protections, LGBTQ+ inclusion, or reproductive healthcare access.
