Pennsylvania 13th District
John Joyce (R) holds this seat and is running again. 2 candidates were on the ballot on November 3, 2026.
Who should win this race, and why?Say what you think. Other readers can answer you.Discuss
John Joyce
Republican · holds this seat today
A-Liberty Score A-On the liberty side in 112 of 124 votes and bills.
Raised $2,755,440 since January 2025: 59% from PACs and other committees, 23% transfers and other income, 18% from people. The filing at FEC.gov
Beth Farnham
Democrat · stay-at-home parent, former school board member
FLiberty Score F14 out of 100 across 4 principles. Graded on what Farnham has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for Farnham.
Higher on Liberty Score: John Joyce. John Joyce: A-, 92 out of 100 from recorded votes. Beth Farnham: F, 14 out of 100 from words and actions, with no votes in Congress to count.
Voting in Pennsylvania: how to register, vote early or vote by mail. Election Day was November 3.
Side by side
A solid letter is a grade from recorded votes on that principle. An outlined letter is on the same scale, for a candidate with no votes: it comes from what that candidate has said and done, and every source is listed below.
Beth Farnham, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Farnham, so the grade above comes from this list: what Farnham has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
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Her campaign site links to a source it titles "Trump's Illegal War on Iran is costing American Families" and says Trump declared war on the Islamic Republic without consent of Congress.
“Trump’s Illegal War on Iran is costing American Families”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Condemning American action against the regime in Tehran is against liberty on tyranny.
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She pledges to maintain relationships with allies, without naming Ukraine, Taiwan or NATO.
“Maintain solid relationships with our trusted allies.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
No ally is named and no policy is stated, so the words do not settle it.
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She pledges to sharply reduce tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy.
“Sharply reduce tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Raising taxes on the wealthy is against liberty on free markets.
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She pledges to write a national healthcare program covering everyone into federal law.
“Enshrine into federal law a national healthcare program so that all of our treatments and preventative care are covered, no matter our age”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Government-run health care for all is against liberty on free markets.
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She says tariffs hurt US consumers.
“He also seems incapable of understanding that the tariffs affect US consumers the worst.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing broad tariffs is with liberty on free markets, the same for any candidate.
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She names LGBTQ+ inclusive sexuality instruction as part of the public school education she backs.
“comprehensive and LGBTQ+ inclusive sexuality instruction”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Backing gender and sexuality instruction in schools is against liberty on equal rights.
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She says America should keep a powerful presence in the world, without naming a budget.
“I believe that we should maintain a powerful presence in the world.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
No budget or funding level is named, so the words do not settle it.
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She says Congress should create routes to legal status for undocumented immigrants and expand DACA and Temporary Protected Status.
“Congress should legislate realistic routes to legal status.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
A path to legal status for people who are here illegally is against liberty on borders.
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She lists immigration enforcement raids on homes and workplaces among the harms she attributes to President Trump.
“raid immigrant residences and places of work with no due process”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Opposing immigration raids is against liberty on borders.
Who is on the ballot: the state election offices, as listed on Wikipedia on November 3, 2026, checked against the candidate file of the Federal Election Commission. See a name that is wrong or missing? Say so in the discussion.
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Discussion
Pennsylvania 13th District
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