Pennsylvania 16th District
Mike Kelly (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
Mike Kelly
Republican · holds this seat today
ALiberty Score AOn the liberty side in 113 of 117 votes and bills.
Raised $1,414,935 since January 2025: 76% from PACs and other committees, 24% from people. The filing at FEC.gov
Justin Wagner
Democrat · Army Iraq veteran, automation engineer, union member
FLiberty Score F0 out of 100 across 4 principles. Graded on what Wagner has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for Wagner.
Raised $247,119 since January 2025: 100% from people. The filing at FEC.gov
Higher on Liberty Score: Mike Kelly. Mike Kelly: A, 97 out of 100 from recorded votes. Justin Wagner: F, 0 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.
Justin Wagner, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Wagner, so the grade above comes from this list: what Wagner 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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He says the country needs to stop what he calls an unauthorized escalation with Iran and promises to vote to defund unauthorized military actions.
“we need to stop a catastrophic, unauthorized escalation with Iran.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Opposing American action against Iran and backing limits on war powers is against liberty on tyranny.
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He says he stands against what he calls the genocide of the Palestinian people.
“I stand against the genocide of the Palestinian people, of which the death toll is estimated to be over 75,000.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Calling Israel's war genocide is against liberty on free nations.
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He says he opposes sending billions of dollars abroad, singles out regimes he calls regional pariahs, and refuses money from AIPAC or any group acting for Israel.
“I will not take money or entertain interests from AIPAC, or any other organization acting on behalf of the state of Israel.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Opposing American support for Israel and rejecting groups that act for it is against liberty on free nations.
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He says isolating and abandoning allies is not sound military strategy, without naming Ukraine, Taiwan or NATO.
“Isolating and abandoning our allies is not how a first-rate Military strategizes.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
No ally or aid is named, so the words do not settle it.
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He pledges to push for a Medicare-for-All system and to co-sponsor the Medicare For All Act.
“push for a Medicare-for-All system so every American can get quality treatment without fear of losing their home”
- 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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He says he will vote for tax policy that closes the 2017 loopholes and taxes wealth.
“We need to close the 2017 loopholes, tax wealth like we tax hard work, and reinvest that money into PA-16 infrastructure and jobs.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
A wealth tax and higher taxes on the rich are against liberty on free markets.
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He promises no more blank checks for wars, and also to fund mental health care and housing for veterans.
“No more blank checks. No more unauthorized conflicts. No more pointless wars.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
The words target war authorization, not the size of the defence budget, so they do not settle it.
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He pledges a path to citizenship and protection for DACA recipients.
“Establish a workable path to citizenship, protect DACA recipients, and expand transparent, legal pathways for agricultural and essential workers”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
A path to citizenship for people here illegally is against liberty on borders.
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He calls masked immigration agents acting without accountability a betrayal of legal principles.
“Masked, unaccountable tactics have no place in America.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
A demand for ICE accountability, not an end to ICE or to deportations, does not settle one side.
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 16th District
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