Republican Jake Banta wins decisive victory for second term in State House

Incumbent state Rep. Jake Banta won a decisive victory in Tuesday's general election, besting his Democratic opponent by nearly 12,000 votes to win re-election to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

Banta, a Republican, defeated Democratic challenger Joe Cancilla, receiving 22,340 votes, or 67.65% of total votes, to Cancilla's 10,576 votes, according to unofficial vote totals of all 149 precincts.

Banta, 59, of LeBoeuf Township, will serve a second term representing the 4th Legislative District, which includes the city of Corry; Edinboro, Elgin, Girard, Lake City, McKean, Mill Village, North East, Platea, Union City, Waterford, and Wattsburg boroughs; Amity, Concord, Franklin, Girard, Greenfield, Leboeuf, McKean, North East, Union, Venango, Washington, Waterford and Wayne townships.

He was first elected to the seat in 2022.

Banta thanked his supporters and the voters who "believe in our direction for the nation," in an interview with the Erie Times-News following his victory.

"Pennsylvania really came through," he said. "I am humbled and honored to serve the folks in District 4 and deeply appreciate your vote of confidence in me. To those who did not vote for me, I hope to win your approval in my next term. Together, we are the American party and I look forward to good common-sense policy and direction we all can be part of."

Banta, a musician, Navy veteran and former government contractor, has said his second-term priorities will include a focus on small business growth and deregulation. He also said he wants to stop the loss of farmlands to corporations planning wind and solar farms.

Banta serves on the following House committees in Harrisburg: Game & Fisheries, Local Government, State Government and Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness.

Cancilla, 35, of North East, could not immediately be reached for comment Wednesday.

A.J. Rao can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on X @ETNRao.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Jake Banta wins re-election as 4th Dist. state representative