Tarah Probst
2022 - Present
2026
2
Compensation
$106,422.33/year
$185/day
November 5, 2024
Education
King's College, 1992
Widener University, 2003
Tarah Probst (Democratic Party) is a member of thePennsylvania House of Representatives, representingDistrict 189. She assumed office on December 1, 2022. Her current term ends on November 30, 2026.
Probst (Democratic Party) ran for re-election to thePennsylvania House of Representatives to representDistrict 189. She won in the general election onNovember 5, 2024.
Biography
Tarah Probst graduated from East Stroudsburg High School in 1988. Probst earned a B.A. in communications from King's College in 1992 and a J.D. from Widener University in 2003. She served as the mayor of Stroudsburg Borough, Pennsylvania.[1]
Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according toBillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Elections
2024
See also: Pennsylvania House of Representatives elections, 2024
General election
General election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 189
IncumbentTarah Probst defeatedLisa Vanwhy in the general election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 189 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Tarah Probst (D) | 57.3 | 16,970 |
 | Lisa Vanwhy (R)  | 42.4 | 12,542 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.3 | 89 | ||
| Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source 1 Source 2 | Total votes: 29,601 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 189
IncumbentTarah Probst advanced from the Democratic primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 189 on April 23, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Tarah Probst | 98.8 | 3,452 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 1.2 | 41 | ||
| Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 3,493 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 189
Lisa Vanwhy advanced from the Republican primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 189 on April 23, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Lisa Vanwhy | 98.2 | 2,341 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 1.8 | 42 | ||
| There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 2,383 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Campaign finance
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Probst in this election.
2022
See also: Pennsylvania House of Representatives elections, 2022
General election
General election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 189
Tarah Probst defeatedStephen Ertle in the general election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 189 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Tarah Probst (D) | 55.9 | 11,346 |
| Stephen Ertle (R) | 44.1 | 8,967 | ||
| There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 20,313 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 189
Tarah Probst advanced from the Democratic primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 189 on May 17, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Tarah Probst | 100.0 | 4,152 |
| There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 4,152 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Andre Reames (D)
- Jennifer Shukaitis (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 189
Stephen Ertle defeatedJohn Petrizzo in the Republican primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 189 on May 17, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Stephen Ertle | 57.9 | 2,114 | |
| John Petrizzo | 42.1 | 1,539 | ||
| There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 3,653 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Campaign finance
2018
General election
General election for Pennsylvania State Senate District 40
IncumbentMario Scavello defeatedTarah Probst andAdam Reinhardt in the general election for Pennsylvania State Senate District 40 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Mario Scavello (R) | 55.7 | 54,783 |
| Tarah Probst (D) | 43.1 | 42,396 | |
 | Adam Reinhardt (L) | 1.3 | 1,251 | |
| Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 98,430 (100.00% precincts reporting) | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Pennsylvania State Senate District 40
Tarah Probst advanced from the Democratic primary for Pennsylvania State Senate District 40 on May 15, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Tarah Probst | 100.0 | 10,760 |
| There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. | Total votes: 10,760 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Pennsylvania State Senate District 40
IncumbentMario Scavello advanced from the Republican primary for Pennsylvania State Senate District 40 on May 15, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Mario Scavello | 100.0 | 11,328 |
| Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. | Total votes: 11,328 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also:Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Tarah Probst did not completeBallotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.
2022
Tarah Probst did not completeBallotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
2018
Ballotpedia survey responses
- See also:Ballotpedia's candidate surveys
Tarah Probst participated inBallotpedia's candidate survey on April 16, 2018. The survey questions appear in bold, and Tarah Probst's responses follow below.[2]
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
| “ | 1. Quality public education with help paying for it through a severance tax towards education from the natural gas drillers. 2. Living wages. Cutting the Delaware loophole to fund the money back to PA. | ” |
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Why?
| “ | All 3 of my top priorities I am passionate about. PA is the 3 largest resource for natural gas in the world and we are the only state in the United States out of 14 who does not charge a severance tax from our drillers towards education. This will take a huge burden off of our constituents and help the local economy, housing and public education. Our minimum wage is one of the lowest in the country. We lose hundreds of millions of dollars because of big corporations not paying their fair share to our state and we need to close the Delaware loop hole and cut corporate taxes to 5% instead of 9.9%. This will keep money in PA and give small to medium size businesses a break and be able to pay more to their employees. Equal rights for all, women's rights, freedom of religion, equal rights to the LBGTQ community.Cite error: Invalid<ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many[4] | ” |
Ballotpedia also asked the candidate a series of optional questions. Tarah Probst answered the following:
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow and why?
| “ | There are too many. However, FDR and his leadership in peace and creating social security for the elderly is one. Bobby Kennedy and his fight for civil rights and equality for minorities. Every woman that sacrificed their life for our right to vote and women's rights in general. Most recently, I admired Hillary Clinton for her civil rights work and women's issues work throughout her life and the demeanor and class of Barack Obama.[4] | ” |
| “ | My political philosophy is taking better care of the public at large. The separation of wealth today is gross. There is NO middle class and the poor have even less of a chance to get ahead. People who work 40 hours a week should not have to apply for assistance to feed their family. Families should not have to choose between paying their bills or health insurance. Our country is full of greed and corruption and we are headed down a path of disaster. We need to think of the public at large again, we need to stand up for the disenfranchised and we need to stop the corporate greed. I am all for capitalism, but not at our countries and our citizens expense.[4] | ” |
| “ | To care about ALL of their constituents and separate church and state.[4] | ” |
| “ | I was recently re-elected Mayor of my borough by a wide margin. I work hard for EVERYONE and understand all of their needs. I solve problems, I am hands on and I am accessible. I speak the truth and serve on many committees. I am determined to make my town better while working with regional and state officials for our region. I know what went wrong and know our problems can be solved.[4] | ” |
| “ | To keep my promises. To help ALL of your constituents, not just the select few. To promote our region for all it's greatness while fighting for our region and what we can do to make it a better place to live, work and raise a family. To treat people with respect and kindness, which we all deserve.[4] | ” |
| “ | I am known as the mayor of my town for getting things done. Being an advocate for our town and our region. I want to continue that legacy and fight for all concerns and help people get answers and results.[4] | ” |
| “ | I remember the bicentennial in 1976. I was almost 5 years old. I remember the hostages being released in 1981, the gas crisis. I was raised by a single mom who worked hard and my grandmother and aunt. They were always talking about current events and women's rights, so after the age of 5, I just about heard it all.[4] | ” |
| “ | It was the summer of 1984 (I was almost 13) and I cleaned villas at Shawnee Resort. I worked my whole life.[4] | ” |
| “ | Never had an awkward date.[4] | ” |
| “ | Thanksgiving. Always. Family, friends and sharing a great meal. The time of year, the traditions mean the world to me.[4] | ” |
| “ | To Kill A Mockingbird. Atticus Finch is to this day my favorite character. He was a great father / parent. He fought for the poor and wrongly accused. He had morals and values. He was a class act and I could watch that movie over and over again.[4] | ” |
| “ | No answer.[4] | ” |
| “ | My family.[4] | ” |
| “ | Hey Bulldog by the Beatles.[4] | ” |
| “ | Watching my loved ones get older and pass away. Losing a brother when I was 16. I grew up poor, but always was taken care of and loved. I had a successful life, so I feel extremely fortunate.[4] | ” |
| “ | The benefits are more efficiency in passing legislation and the drawbacks are that it removes the governmental checks and balances and doesn't necessarily give the best representation for the people.[4] | ” |
| “ | I believe you need some type of background on how government works and local issues.[4] | ” |
| “ | Tax reform and economic stimulus.[4] | ” |
| “ | To work together. To pass good legislation that comes across the table from all parties, not just the majority.[4] | ” |
| “ | Absolutely. Most people want the best for their constituents, but party dividing lines have driven bipartisan relationships and blocking conversation to compromise and do what is right.[4] | ” |
| “ | An independent, non partisan commission.[4] | ” |
| “ | Education, tourism, appropriations and economic development.[4] | ” |
| “ | N/A[4] | ” |
| “ | Yes. I would pursue a leadership role.[4] | ” |
| “ | There are many, however, PA Senator John Blake is at the top.[4] | ” |
| “ | Not at this time.[4] | ” |
| “ | As stated before, I grew up with a single mother and we struggled monetarily. We did it, her children (myself and my 3 brothers) were all educated and worked hard. Today, people who work full time jobs simply can not feed their family without help. Colleges and Universities are so expensive that some families can not afford to send their children to a higher education and truly, the jobs are not here. We need better paying jobs, affordable education and healthcare.[4] | ” |
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf.Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at theFEC website. Clickhere for more on federal campaign finance law andhere for more on state campaign finance law.
| Year | Office | Status | Contributions | Expenditures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024* | Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 189 | Won general | $106,055 | $105,039 |
| 2022 | Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 189 | Won general | $302,572 | $218,681 |
| 2018 | Pennsylvania State Senate District 40 | Lost general | $146,422 | N/A** |
| Grand total | $555,049 | $323,720 | ||
| Sources:OpenSecrets, Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC). | ||||
| * Data from this year may not be complete | ||||
| ** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle | ||||
| Note: Totals above reflect only available data. | ||||
Scorecards
Ascorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Pennsylvania scorecards, email suggestions toeditor@ballotpedia.org.
2024
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2024, click [show]. |
|---|
In 2024, thePennsylvania State Legislature was in session from January 2 to November 14.
|
2023
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2023, click [show]. |
|---|
In 2023, thePennsylvania State Legislature was in session from January 3 to December 13.
|
See also
2024 Elections
External links
Candidate Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 189 | Officeholder Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 189 | Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑PA House of Representatives, "Tarah Probst," accessed February 3, 2023
- ↑Note: The candidate's answers have been reproduced here verbatim without edits or corrections by Ballotpedia.
- ↑Ballotpedia's candidate survey, "Tarah Probst's responses," April 16, 2018
- ↑4.004.014.024.034.044.054.064.074.084.094.104.114.124.134.144.154.164.174.184.194.204.214.224.234.244.254.264.274.28Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Rosemary Brown (R) | Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 189 2022-Present | Succeeded by - |
- 2018 challenger
- 2018 general election (defeated)
- 2018 primary (winner)
- 2022 challenger
- 2022 general election (winner)
- 2022 primary (winner)
- 2024 general election (winner)
- 2024 incumbent
- 2024 primary (winner)
- Current member, Pennsylvania House of Representatives
- Current state legislative member
- Current state representative
- Democratic Party
- Marquee, general candidate, 2024
- Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania House of Representatives candidate, 2022
- Pennsylvania House of Representatives candidate, 2024
- Pennsylvania State Senate candidate, 2018
- State House candidate, 2022
- State House candidate, 2024
- State Senate candidate, 2018
- State house candidates
- State senate candidates
- 2018 general election
