BERKS COUNTY, Pa. – Two Democratic candidates for are vying for the nomination to run for Pennsylvania’s 126th Legislative District.
The incumbent, Rep. Jacklyn Rusnock, won the seat in 2024 after defeating Republican candidate James Oswald.
The seat had been held previously by Rusnock’s ex-husband, Mark Rozzi, since 2013. Rozzi chose not to seek re-election and endorsed Rusnock instead, saying in a previous news release that “there is no one better to represent the residents” of the district.
Before taking office, Rep. Rusnock held positions as a dental hygienist, dental instructor and served as a member of the Muhlenberg School Board.
According to her campaign website, Rusnock’s main focus in the Pennsylvania House has been on making healthcare accessible and affordable, investing in education, combating climate change and protecting marriage equality and women’s reproductive rights.
Rusnock’s primary challenger is Joshua Caltagirone.
According to his campaign website, Caltagirone grew up in the foster care system in Berks County and left high school in his final year to take a job with the Department of Human Services.
Caltagirone later earned his GED from Reading Area Community College and served his community as a volunteer firefighter.
A proud union member, Caltagirone spent years in the construction business before eventually becoming a Codes enforcement officer with the City of Reading, a position he holds today.
Caltagirone’s issues of focus include getting adequate funding for every school in the district, lowering costs for working families, affordable housing and property tax relief, creating safe neighborhoods and stopping utility rate hikes that hurt consumers.
Republican Miguel Vasquez is running unopposed in the primary.
The 126th District covers parts of Berks County, including Muhlenberg, Temple, Laureldale, Mt. Penn, Lower Alsace, Exeter and Reading.