New state legislator for Hampton, McCandless takes oath

State Rep. Arvind Venkat, D-McCandless, took the oath of office in the state Capitol Jan. 3 to begin representing the 30th Legislative District.

The district includes Hampton, Franklin Park and five other municipalities in addition to McCandless.

Venkat is first Indian American to be elected to the state House, and the Allegheny Health Network emergency room doctor is the first physician to serve in the General Assembly in nearly 60 years. He said his priorities include making health care affordable and accessible, investing in first responders, protecting reproductive rights, curbing gun violence, expanding access to the ballot box for all voters, and getting more people back into the workforce.

“As an emergency physician I know how to solve problems in a collaborative manner, and I look forward to bringing that experience to Harrisburg,” Venkat said. “I am also excited to be a part of a large incoming class of new legislators, who I think will bring new energy and ideas to the state Capitol.”

The new session represents the largest and most diverse class of freshman Democratic legislators in more than a decade, with 26 new members, eight of whom are women.

Locally, Venkat said his office can help with a variety of state-related services, including home heating assistance, children’s health insurance, and prescription drug and property tax/rent rebate assistance. For more information, visit www.pahouse.com/Venkat.

Lori Mizgorski, a Republican who lives in Shaler, previously served the 30th District, but her hometown was drawn out of the new configuration approved last year. She ran unsuccessfully for the state Senate in 2022.