--- title: "Farnham vs. Joyce: 2026 Pennsylvania’s 13th District race" url: "https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-pa-13" updated: "2026-08-01" source: "Candidates' campaign sites and Ballotpedia, quoted verbatim" publisher: "Pluribus" --- # 2026 Pennsylvania’s 13th District race: Beth Farnham (D) vs. John Joyce (R) Rating: Safe R · Election: November 3, 2026 · Ballot checked: October 9, 2026 · Positions captured: August 1, 2026 In Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District, Democratic nominee Beth Farnham challenges Republican incumbent John Joyce in the November 3, 2026 general election, following primaries held on May 19, 2026. The contest hinges on contrasting visions for governance and policy, with Farnham focusing heavily on democratic norms, reproductive freedom, affordability, universal healthcare, and gun safety, while Joyce emphasizes his record as a physician, conservative fiscal policies, energy production, and border security. ## Candidates - **Beth Farnham** (Democrat) · [Campaign site](https://bethfarnhamforcongress.com/) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Beth_Farnham) - **John Joyce** (Republican, incumbent) · [Campaign site](https://www.johnjoyceforcongress.com) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/John_Joyce_%28Pennsylvania%29) ## Issues ### Democracy and Government Governance Salience: high Farnham favors strict democratic accountability, Supreme Court term limits, and campaign finance reform, whereas Joyce voted against certifying the 2020 election results and supports stricter voter registration requirements. **Beth Farnham:** Supports election protection and government reform Farnham centers her campaign on protecting representative democracy, voting rights, and constitutional governance. She advocates for Supreme Court term limits, congressional age limits, ending Citizens United, and holding in-person town halls. She sharply criticizes Joyce for voting against certifying the 2020 election results and joining the Texas Amicus Brief. - Proposes Supreme Court term limits and congressional age limits. - Pledges to end Citizens United and hold in-person town halls in PA-13. - Condemns efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results. > “A vote for me is a vote for the American ideals of individual worth, equal rights, liberty, enfranchisement, and majority rule.” > — Beth Farnham, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Beth_Farnham) > “Joyce refused to certify the valid electoral votes of President Joe Biden on January 6, 2021, but worse than that, in December 2020, he and 125 other congressional Republicans signed the Texas Amicus Brief” > — Beth Farnham, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Beth_Farnham) **John Joyce:** Supports stricter voter ID requirements Joyce voted against certifying the 2020 electoral votes from Arizona and Pennsylvania during the congressional session on January 6-7, 2021. In the 119th Congress, he voted for the SAVE Act to require documentary proof of citizenship for federal election registration and signed the U.S. Term Limits pledge. - Voted against certifying the 2020 electoral votes from Arizona and Pennsylvania. - Voted Yea on the SAVE Act (H.R. 22) requiring proof of citizenship to register for federal elections. - Signed the U.S. Term Limits candidate pledge. > “defending our Constitutional rights.” > — John Joyce, via [Campaign site](https://www.johnjoyceforcongress.com) ### Reproductive Freedom and Abortion Salience: high Farnham advocates codifying federal abortion access and bodily autonomy into law, while Joyce holds a pro-life record and opposes federal abortion rights legislation. **Beth Farnham:** Supports federal reproductive freedom protections Farnham champions bodily autonomy and advocates enshrining reproductive healthcare rights into federal law. Her platform includes codifying access to abortion, birth control, IVF, and gender-affirming care, as well as publishing the Equal Rights Amendment. - Pledges to enshrine reproductive freedom and abortion access into federal law. - Supports publication of the ratified 28th (Equal Rights) Amendment. - Requires clear labeling for unregulated crisis pregnancy centers. > “Only when we have agency over our own bodies are we free to create the families we choose.” > — Beth Farnham, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Beth_Farnham) > “Congress MUST enshrine reproductive freedom into law to protect these basic rights for all Americans.” > — Beth Farnham, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Beth_Farnham) **John Joyce:** Opposes abortion and supports restrictions Joyce maintains a pro-life stance, releasing campaign advertisements highlighting his opposition to abortion. In Congress, he consistently votes in favor of conservative social legislation and against federal abortion protections. - Released pro-life campaign advertisements during congressional campaigns. - Voted in line with conservative pro-life legislative priorities in the House. > “Life” > — John Joyce, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/John_Joyce_%28Pennsylvania%29) ### Economy, Taxes, and Cost of Living Salience: high Farnham proposes raising the federal minimum wage and tax rates on the ultra-wealthy, whereas Joyce favors fiscal restraint, spending cuts, and corporate tax relief. **Beth Farnham:** Supports raising minimum wage and taxes on ultra-wealthy Farnham focuses on easing cost-of-living burdens for working families, retirees, and everyday citizens. She advocates raising the federal minimum wage, reducing tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy, expanding affordable housing, and curbing corporate union-busting. - Pledges to substantially increase the federal minimum wage. - Proposes sharply reducing tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy. - Supports increasing affordable housing and ending union-busting ability of large corporations. > “The soaring cost of living is unsustainable.” > — Beth Farnham, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Beth_Farnham) > “Everyday Americans like you – the hard-working families, the retirees on a fixed income, the young adults just making your way, veterans, or anyone who is not ultra-wealthy – suffer for the unjustified benefit of the millionaires and billionaires.” > — Beth Farnham, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Beth_Farnham) **John Joyce:** Supports spending cuts and tax relief Joyce focuses on economic growth through reduced spending, national debt control, and conservative fiscal reform. He voted for major budget reconciliation legislation including H.R. 1 (One Big Beautiful Bill Act) and the Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023. - Voted Yea on H.R. 1 (One Big Beautiful Bill Act) for reconciliation and debt limit adjustments. - Voted Yea on the Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023 and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023. - Pledges to strengthen the economy through conservative fiscal measures. > “strengthening our economy,” > — John Joyce, via [Campaign site](https://www.johnjoyceforcongress.com) ### Healthcare Salience: high Farnham advocates single-payer universal healthcare and expanding ACA coverage, while Joyce utilizes his medical background to promote market-based healthcare reforms and roll back federal mandates. **Beth Farnham:** Supports universal healthcare for all Farnham advocates establishing a universal national healthcare system that covers all treatments and preventative care. She calls for strengthening the Affordable Care Act, restoring Medicaid expansion for children, and addressing rural health deficits in PA-13 like maternal health deserts and pediatric care closures. - Proposes enshrining a national healthcare program covering all preventative care and treatments. - Advocates strengthening the Affordable Care Act and reinstating Medicaid expansion for children. - Highlights rural PA-13 healthcare shortages, including maternal health deserts and local pediatric closures. > “Every American deserves excellent, affordable, and accessible healthcare.” > — Beth Farnham, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Beth_Farnham) > “In every other developed country, citizens have such universal healthcare, but in America we do not.” > — Beth Farnham, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Beth_Farnham) **John Joyce:** Supports market-based healthcare access Joyce leverages his 25-year career as a practicing physician in Central Pennsylvania to support market-driven healthcare reform. As Vice Chair of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, he voted to terminate COVID-19 travel vaccine mandates and end the national COVID-19 emergency. - Serves as Vice Chair of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. - Voted Yea on H.R. 185 to terminate CDC COVID-19 vaccine requirements for foreign travelers. - Voted Yea on H.J.Res. 7 to end the national coronavirus emergency. > “improving Pennsylvanians' access to quality and affordable health care,” > — John Joyce, via [Campaign site](https://www.johnjoyceforcongress.com) ### Gun Safety and Second Amendment Salience: medium Farnham supports federal gun safety laws including universal background checks and red flag laws, whereas Joyce opposes firearm restrictions and campaigns on Second Amendment protections. **Beth Farnham:** Supports federal gun safety regulations Farnham campaigns to reduce gun violence, identifying firearms as the leading cause of death among youth in Pennsylvania and nationwide. She proposes federal regulations mandating universal background checks, safe firearm storage, lost or stolen gun reporting, and red flag laws. - Supports universal background checks for all firearm sales. - Advocates safe firearm storage laws and mandatory reporting of lost or stolen weapons. - Supports Extreme Risk Protection Orders (red flag laws). > “Gun violence is the number one killer of US children.” > — Beth Farnham, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Beth_Farnham) > “Elect Beth Farnham to help craft such sensible legislation as listed above in order to prevent the senseless killing of US children, and other Americans, by firearms.” > — Beth Farnham, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Beth_Farnham) **John Joyce:** Opposes gun control restrictions Joyce opposes federal gun restrictions and advocates protecting constitutional Second Amendment rights, featuring gun ownership rights in his campaign advertising. - Released campaign advertisement titled 'Our Right' defending gun ownership. - Opposes federal legislation placing restrictions on firearm ownership. > “Our Right” > — John Joyce, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/John_Joyce_%28Pennsylvania%29) ### Immigration and Border Security Salience: medium Farnham advocates legal pathways to status and expanded protections for undocumented workers, whereas Joyce favors strict border enforcement and mandatory detention policies. **Beth Farnham:** Supports comprehensive immigration reform Farnham advocates realistic legal routes to residency for undocumented immigrants and expanding DACA and Temporary Protected Status protections. She highlights that undocumented workers pay hundreds of millions in taxes in Pennsylvania and contribute vital labor to regional agriculture and services. - Supports amending the Immigration Act of 1965 to create routes to legal residency. - Advocates expanding DACA and Temporary Protection Status work authorizations. - Emphasizes economic and tax contributions of undocumented workers in Pennsylvania. > “undocumented immigrants and DACA recipients in Pennsylvania paid hundreds of millions of dollars in federal and state taxes in 2018 alone, helping our economy and boosting our Social Security and Medicare programs.” > — Beth Farnham, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Beth_Farnham) **John Joyce:** Supports strict border enforcement Joyce supports strict border security laws and measures targeting illegal immigration. He voted for the Secure the Border Act of 2023, the Laken Riley Act, and the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. - Voted Yea on H.R. 2 (Secure the Border Act of 2023) to restrict asylum eligibility and require mandatory E-Verify. - Voted Yea on the Laken Riley Act (S. 5) requiring detention of unauthorized immigrants arrested for theft. - Voted Yea on H.Res. 863 impeaching Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. > “defending our Constitutional rights.” > — John Joyce, via [Campaign site](https://www.johnjoyceforcongress.com) ### Public Education Salience: medium Farnham opposes private school vouchers and supports federal funding for public school equity, whereas Joyce supports conservative educational regulations including restrictions on sports participation. **Beth Farnham:** Supports public education and opposes vouchers Drawing on her background as a school board member, Farnham views public education as vital to national success. She opposes using federal tax dollars for private or parochial school vouchers and supports comprehensive, inclusive curriculum standards. - Opposes private and parochial school vouchers or mechanisms diverting public tax dollars. - Supports comprehensive and LGBTQ+-inclusive sexuality instruction. - Advocates using federal funds to correct regional public school funding disparities. > “Public education is a foundation of our country’s greatness.” > — Beth Farnham, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Beth_Farnham) > “To continue to turn out competitive American graduates, Congress must ensure that federal tax dollars even out state or local iniquities of poorly resourced regions, and that no tax dollars fund private or parochial schools through vouchers or any other mechanism.” > — Beth Farnham, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Beth_Farnham) **John Joyce:** Supports restrictions on transgender sports participation Joyce supports conservative education measures, including federal legislative efforts to restrict biological males from competing in female sports programs. - Voted Yea on the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025 (H.R. 28). > “commonsense, conservative values” > — John Joyce, via [Campaign site](https://www.johnjoyceforcongress.com) ### Environment and Energy Salience: medium Farnham supports federal action to curb climate change and advance sustainability, while Joyce advocates expanding domestic oil, gas, and coal production. **Beth Farnham:** Supports environmental sustainability and climate action Farnham recognizes climate change as an urgent threat impacting agriculture, weather stability, and human health. She advocates federal action to support environmental sustainability and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. - Identifies climate change as a major threat causing severe weather and agricultural disruption. - Supports federal policies promoting environmental sustainability. - Practices personal conservation, including driving a hybrid vehicle and recycling. > “Climate change is real.” > — Beth Farnham, via [Campaign site](https://bethfarnhamforcongress.com/) **John Joyce:** Supports domestic fossil fuel production Joyce serves on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and advocates increasing domestic energy development. He voted for the Lower Energy Costs Act to boost oil, natural gas, and coal production while streamlining environmental permitting. - Serves as Vice Chair of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. - Voted Yea on H.R. 1 (Lower Energy Costs Act) to expand domestic energy production and cut pipeline regulations. > “commonsense, conservative values” > — John Joyce, via [Campaign site](https://www.johnjoyceforcongress.com) ## Polls and markets _Updated Oct 31._ - [Polymarket](https://polymarket.com/event/pa-13-house-election-winner) — PA-13 House Election Winner: Republicans 96.6%, Democrats 2.0% - [Kalshi](https://kalshi.com/events/KXHOUSERACE-PA13-26) — PA-13 House winner?: John Joyce 97.6%, Beth Farnham 2.1% [View this race on 2026election.com](https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-pa-13)