{{Short description|American politician}} {{pp|small=yes}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Aaron Bernstine | image = Aaron Bernstine by Gage Skidmore.jpg | caption = Bernstine in 2022 | office = Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives | constituency = 10th district (2017-2022)<br>8th district (2023-present) | term_start = January 3, 2017<ref name=hj>{{cite web |title=Session of 2017 201st of the General Assembly No. 1 |url=https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/HJ/2017/0/20170103.pdf |work=Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Legislative Journal|publisher=Pennsylvania House of Representatives |access-date=30 September 2022 |page=2 |date=January 3, 2017}}</ref> | predecessor = Jaret Gibbons | birth_name = Aaron Joseph Bernstine | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1984|7|2}} | birth_place = Pennsylvania, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | party = Republican | spouse = Ilia | children = 1 | education = Pennsylvania State University (BS)<br>University of Pittsburgh (MBA) | signature = Aaron Bernstine signature.svg | website = {{Official website|http://www.repbernstine.com/}} }}
'''Aaron Joseph Bernstine'''<ref name=hj /> (born July 2, 1984) is an American politician who serves in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 8th District as a member of the Republican Party. Prior to redistricting he served from the 10th district.
==Early life and education== Aaron Joseph Bernstine was born on July 2, 1984.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Aaron Bernstine |work=Pennsylvania House of Representatives |url=https://archives.house.state.pa.us/people/member-biography?ID=7930 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230527223427/https://archives.house.state.pa.us/people/member-biography?ID=7930 |archive-date=May 27, 2023}}</ref> He graduated from Union Area High School in 2003, from Pennsylvania State University with a bachelor’s degree in business management in 2006, and from the University of Pittsburgh with a master of business administration in 2013.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 29, 2016 |title=Republican Aaron Bernstine says 10th Legislative District needs a champion |work=The Beaver County Times |url=https://www.timesonline.com/story/news/local/2016/03/29/republican-aaron-bernstine-says-10th/18543805007/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230527222357/https://www.timesonline.com/story/news/local/2016/03/29/republican-aaron-bernstine-says-10th/18543805007/ |archive-date=May 27, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Aaron Bernstine |work=Pennsylvania General Assembly |url=https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/member_information/house_bio.cfm?id=1742 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230527223239/https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/member_information/house_bio.cfm?id=1742 |archive-date=May 27, 2023}}</ref> He worked as a part-time adjunct at the University of Pittsburgh.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 13, 2020 |title=Embattled state Rep. Aaron Bernstine sees county GOP committee yank endorsement |work=The Beaver County Times |url=https://www.timesonline.com/story/news/2020/10/13/gop-state-rep-bernstine-loses-party-endorsement-after-snapchat-videos/3640256001/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230528111715/https://www.timesonline.com/story/news/2020/10/13/gop-state-rep-bernstine-loses-party-endorsement-after-snapchat-videos/3640256001/ |archive-date=May 28, 2023}}</ref>
==State legislature== ===Elections=== Bernstine won the Republican nomination for a seat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 10th district against Dawnlyn Valli and Clifford Glovier.<ref name="primary 2016">{{Cite news |title=2016 Pennsylvania House of Representatives primary results |work=Pennsylvania Department of State |url=https://www.electionreturns.pa.gov/Home/OfficeResults?OfficeID=13&ElectionID=54&ElectionType=P&IsActive=0 }}</ref> He defeated incumbent Democratic Representative Jaret Gibbons in the general election.<ref name="election 2016">{{Cite news |title=2016 Pennsylvania House of Representatives election results |work=Pennsylvania Department of State |url=https://www.electionreturns.pa.gov/General/OfficeResults?OfficeID=13&ElectionID=54&ElectionType=G&IsActive=0 }}</ref> Bernstine stated that he would only serve four terms in the state house.<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 20, 2016 |title=Vogler endorses Bernstine |work=New Castle News |url=https://www.ncnewsonline.com/news/vogler-endorses-bernstine/article_b610c324-0712-11e6-ae64-a786daeb8d87.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602111006/https://www.ncnewsonline.com/news/vogler-endorses-bernstine/article_b610c324-0712-11e6-ae64-a786daeb8d87.html |archive-date=June 2, 2023}}</ref> He won the Democratic nomination in the 2018 election through a write-in candidacy.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 30, 2018 |title=Bernstine to run unopposed in fall |work=New Castle News |url=https://www.ncnewsonline.com/news/local_news/bernstine-to-run-unopposed-in-fall/article_82b985aa-7ffa-5845-aca4-127406695873.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602110241/https://www.ncnewsonline.com/news/local_news/bernstine-to-run-unopposed-in-fall/article_82b985aa-7ffa-5845-aca4-127406695873.html |archive-date=June 2, 2023}}</ref><ref name="primary 2018">{{Cite news |title=2018 Pennsylvania House of Representatives primary results |work=Pennsylvania Department of State |url=https://www.electionreturns.pa.gov/Home/OfficeResults?OfficeID=13&ElectionID=63&ElectionType=P&IsActive=0 }}</ref> He defeated Green nominee Darcelle Slappy in the general election.<ref name="election 2018">{{Cite news |title=2018 Pennsylvania House of Representatives election results |work=Pennsylvania Department of State |url=https://www.electionreturns.pa.gov/General/OfficeResults?OfficeID=13&ElectionID=63&ElectionType=G&IsActive=0 }}</ref> Bernstine defeated Democratic nominee Kolbe Cole and United nominee Johnathan Peffer in the 2020 election.<ref name="primary 2020">{{Cite news |title=2020 Pennsylvania House of Representatives primary results |work=Pennsylvania Department of State |url=https://www.electionreturns.pa.gov/Home/OfficeResults?OfficeID=13&ElectionID=83&ElectionType=P&IsActive=0 }}</ref><ref name="election 2020">{{Cite news |title=2020 Pennsylvania House of Representatives election results |work=Pennsylvania Department of State |url=https://www.electionreturns.pa.gov/General/OfficeResults?OfficeID=13&ElectionID=83&ElectionType=G&IsActive=0 }}</ref>
Following redistricting in 2021, Bernstine was moved from the 10th District to the 8th District.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ulrich |first1=Steve |title=PA House Preview: North by Northwest |url=https://www.politicspa.com/pa-house-preview-north-by-northwest/112455/ |access-date=17 December 2022 |work=PoliticsPA |date=September 19, 2022}}</ref> He defeated John Kennedy and Eric Ditullio for the Republican nomination and won without opposition in the 2022 election.<ref name="primary 2022">{{Cite news |title=2022 Pennsylvania House of Representatives primary results |work=Pennsylvania Department of State |url=https://www.electionreturns.pa.gov/Home/OfficeResults?OfficeID=13&ElectionID=94&ElectionType=P&IsActive=0 }}</ref><ref name="election 2022">{{Cite news |title=2022 Pennsylvania House of Representatives election results |work=Pennsylvania Department of State |url=https://www.electionreturns.pa.gov/General/OfficeResults?OfficeID=13&ElectionID=94&ElectionType=G&IsActive=0 }}</ref>
===Tenure=== During Bernstine's tenure in the state house he has served on the Commerce, Game and Fisheries, Health, and Insurance committees.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 11, 2021 |title=Bernstine named to four House committees |work=New Castle News |url=https://www.ncnewsonline.com/news/local_news/bernstine-named-to-four-house-committees/article_62017f2b-1cfa-524a-bfa7-966c1f6f6e38.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602104158/https://www.ncnewsonline.com/news/local_news/bernstine-named-to-four-house-committees/article_62017f2b-1cfa-524a-bfa7-966c1f6f6e38.html |archive-date=June 2, 2023}}</ref> He is a member of the Pennsylvania Freedom Caucus.<ref name="caucus" />
Bernstine was criticized for a Snapchat video he posted of his five-year old son smoking a cigar and swearing. Speaker Bryan Cutler and Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff stated that they were "disgusted" by the video and called for his resignation.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 8, 2020 |title=House GOP leadership calls on lawmaker to resign over vulgar videos |work=Spotlight PA |url=https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2020/10/pa-aaron-bernstine-gop-leaders-resign-vulgar-videos/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230527220211/https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2020/10/pa-aaron-bernstine-gop-leaders-resign-vulgar-videos/ |archive-date=May 27, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=October 9, 2020 |title=Bernstine not resigning: Embattled state legislator vows to work at rebuilding trust |work=New Castle News |url=https://www.ncnewsonline.com/news/local_news/bernstine-not-resigning-embattled-state-legislator-vows-to-work-at-rebuilding-trust/article_0a38504e-09e7-11eb-b123-5745ae8b6671.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602105004/https://www.ncnewsonline.com/news/local_news/bernstine-not-resigning-embattled-state-legislator-vows-to-work-at-rebuilding-trust/article_0a38504e-09e7-11eb-b123-5745ae8b6671.html |archive-date=June 2, 2023}}</ref> The Republican caucus in the state house also called for his resignation.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 8, 2020 |title=UPDATE: House GOP calls on Bernstine to resign immediately |work=New Castle News |url=https://www.ncnewsonline.com/news/local_news/update-house-gop-calls-on-bernstine-to-resign-immediately/article_3cfe1174-098a-11eb-9ab6-9f334e1e909e.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602105020/https://www.ncnewsonline.com/news/local_news/update-house-gop-calls-on-bernstine-to-resign-immediately/article_3cfe1174-098a-11eb-9ab6-9f334e1e909e.html |archive-date=June 2, 2023}}</ref> The Republican Committee of Beaver County revoked its endorsement of him in response to the video.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 17, 2020 |title=Pa. Rep. Bernstine posted on Snapchat enticing his son, 5, to smoke cigar. He was re-elected |work=The Beaver County Times |url=https://www.timesonline.com/story/news/2020/11/17/bernstine-beats-opponents-snapchat-controversy-win-third-term/6332335002/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230527215848/https://www.timesonline.com/story/news/2020/11/17/bernstine-beats-opponents-snapchat-controversy-win-third-term/6332335002/ |archive-date=May 27, 2023}}</ref>
==Political positions== Bernstine is anti-abortion.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 5, 2022 |title=Western Pa. reacts to Roe v. Wade decision |work=The Beaver County Times |url=https://www.timesonline.com/story/news/local/2022/06/25/western-pa-reacts-to-roe-v-wade-decision/65363419007/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230527223729/https://www.timesonline.com/story/news/local/2022/06/25/western-pa-reacts-to-roe-v-wade-decision/65363419007/ |archive-date=May 27, 2023}}</ref> Bernstine and twenty-five Republican members of the state house signed a letter calling for district attorneys to not prosecute COVID-19 shutdown violations.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 15, 2020 |title=Bernstine joins GOP letter asking DAs to ignore COVID-19 shutdown violations |work=The Beaver County Times |url=https://www.timesonline.com/story/news/coronavirus/2020/05/15/bernstine-joins-gop-letter-asking/1199685007/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230528185116/https://www.timesonline.com/story/news/coronavirus/2020/05/15/bernstine-joins-gop-letter-asking/1199685007/ |archive-date=May 28, 2023}}</ref> He voted against legislation to raise the minimum age to buy tobacco from 18 to 21.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 22, 2019 |title=Legislature sends bill raising purchasing age for tobacco to 21 to governor's desk |work=The Beaver County Times |url=https://www.timesonline.com/story/news/politics/2019/11/22/legislature-sends-bill-raising-purchasing/1865607007/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230528185252/https://www.timesonline.com/story/news/politics/2019/11/22/legislature-sends-bill-raising-purchasing/1865607007/ |archive-date=May 28, 2023}}</ref> Bernstine stated that Donald Trump was not at fault for the attack on the United States Capitol.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 7, 2021 |title=Bernstine: Insurrection was not Trump's fault |work=The Beaver County Times |url=https://www.timesonline.com/story/news/2021/01/07/bernstine-says-trump-not-blame-insurrection/6584740002/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230527221613/https://www.timesonline.com/story/news/2021/01/07/bernstine-says-trump-not-blame-insurrection/6584740002/ |archive-date=May 27, 2023}}</ref>
In 2020, Bernstine was among 26 Republicans in the state house who called for the reversal of Joe Biden's certification as the winner of Pennsylvania's electoral votes in the 2020 United States presidential election, citing false claims of election irregularities.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Murphy |first1=Jan |author1-link=Jan Murphy |title=26 Pa. House Republicans call for withdrawing certification of presidential electors |url=https://www.pennlive.com/elections/2020/11/26-pa-house-republicans-call-for-withdrawing-certification-of-presidential-electors.html |work=PennLIVE Patriot-News |date=27 November 2020 |language=en}}</ref> He proposed legislation to remove Biden from the ballot in Pennsylvania in the 2024 election.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 22, 2023 |title=GOP state lawmakers work to remove Biden from ballot: 'We must fight back' |work=WBMA-LD |url=https://abc3340.com/news/nation-world/gop-state-lawmakers-work-to-remove-biden-from-ballot-we-must-fight-back-pennsylvania-state-rep-aaron-bernstine-r-lawrence-georgia-state-rep-charlice-byrd-r-woodstock-and-arizona-state-rep-cory-mcgarr-r-pima-co-donald-trump-2024 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240325181845/https://abc3340.com/news/nation-world/gop-state-lawmakers-work-to-remove-biden-from-ballot-we-must-fight-back-pennsylvania-state-rep-aaron-bernstine-r-lawrence-georgia-state-rep-charlice-byrd-r-woodstock-and-arizona-state-rep-cory-mcgarr-r-pima-co-donald-trump-2024 |archive-date=March 25, 2024}}</ref>
Bernstine voted in favor of legislation to prohibit transgender women from participating in women's sports in public schools.<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 18, 2022 |title=Eye on the Capitol: How county legislators voted in Harrisburg last week |work=New Castle News |url=https://www.ncnewsonline.com/news/local_news/eye-on-the-capitol-how-county-legislators-voted-in-harrisburg-last-week/article_e9872e30-bcee-11ec-9f91-079d4f841348.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602102621/https://www.ncnewsonline.com/news/local_news/eye-on-the-capitol-how-county-legislators-voted-in-harrisburg-last-week/article_e9872e30-bcee-11ec-9f91-079d4f841348.html |archive-date=June 2, 2023}}</ref> He proposed legislation to prohibit people under eighteen from attending drag shows.<ref name="caucus">{{Cite news |date=April 7, 2023 |title=Pa. representative to propose bill regulating drag shows as adult entertainment |work=CNHI |url=https://www.cnhinews.com/cnhi/article_a5252956-d564-11ed-8c77-a36835fd67b8.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230527215622/https://www.cnhinews.com/cnhi/article_a5252956-d564-11ed-8c77-a36835fd67b8.html |archive-date=May 27, 2023}}</ref>
Bernstine has a lifetime rating of 88% from the American Conservative Union.<ref>{{Cite web |title=American Conservative Union Ratings of Pennsylvania 2021 |work=American Conservative Union |page=18 |url=https://acu-ratings-pdfs.s3.amazonaws.com/ACU_Ratings_PA-2021.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230530150921/https://acu-ratings-pdfs.s3.amazonaws.com/ACU_Ratings_PA-2021.pdf |archive-date=May 30, 2023}}</ref> He has a lifetime rating of 4% from the Sierra Club.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pennsylvania Environmental Scorecard 2021-2022 |work=Sierra Club |page=18 |url=https://www.sierraclub.org/sites/www.sierraclub.org/files/2022-09/20220902_ConservationVoters_Scorecard_Vertical_Digital_0.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230530151245/https://www.sierraclub.org/sites/www.sierraclub.org/files/2022-09/20220902_ConservationVoters_Scorecard_Vertical_Digital_0.pdf |archive-date=May 30, 2023}}</ref> He received an A+ rating from the NRA Political Victory Fund.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 5, 2022 |title=NRA-PVF {{!}} Grades {{!}} Pennsylvania |work=NRA-PVF |page=18 |url=https://www.nrapvf.org/grades/Pennsylvania/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221105082825/https://www.nrapvf.org/grades/Pennsylvania/ |archive-date=November 5, 2022 |url-status=usurped}}</ref> He signed onto the U.S. Term Limits pledge.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 26, 2023 |title=Rep. Aaron Bernstine Receives Plaque for Signing U.S. Term Limits Pledge |work=U.S. Term Limits |url=https://www.termlimits.com/rep-aaron-bernstine-receives-plaque-for-signing-u-s-term-limits-pledge/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204200100/https://www.termlimits.com/rep-aaron-bernstine-receives-plaque-for-signing-u-s-term-limits-pledge/ |archive-date=February 4, 2024}}</ref>
==Electoral history== {{Election box open primary begin no change|title = 2016 Pennsylvania House of Representatives 10th district election<ref name="primary 2016" /><ref name="election 2016" />}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Aaron Bernstine |votes = 5,181 |percentage = 74.57% }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Dawnlyn Valli |votes = 1,141 |percentage = 16.42% }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Clifford Glovier |votes = 626 |percentage = 9.01% }} {{Election box total no change |votes = 6,948 |percentage = 100.00% }} {{Election box open primary general election no change}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Aaron Bernstine |votes = 15,807 |percentage = 58.48% }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Jaret Gibbons (incumbent) |votes = 11,224 |percentage = 41.52% }} {{Election box total no change |votes = 27,031 |percentage = 100.00% |change = }} {{Election box end}}
{{Election box open primary begin no change|title = 2018 Pennsylvania House of Representatives 10th district election<ref name="primary 2018" /><ref name="election 2018" />}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Aaron Bernstine (incumbent) |votes = 3,045 |percentage = 100.00% }} {{Election box total no change |votes = 3,045 |percentage = 100.00% }} {{Election box open primary general election no change}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Aaron Bernstine (incumbent) |votes = |percentage = }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Aaron Bernstine (incumbent) |votes = |percentage = }} {{Election box winning candidate no change |party = Total |candidate = Aaron Bernstine (incumbent) |votes = 16,090 |percentage = 78.19% }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Green Party of the United States |candidate = Darcelle Slappy |votes = 4,487 |percentage = 21.81% }} {{Election box total no change |votes = 20,577 |percentage = 100.00% }} {{Election box end}}
{{Election box open primary begin no change|title = 2020 Pennsylvania House of Representatives 10th district election<ref name="primary 2020" /><ref name="election 2020" />}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Aaron Bernstine (incumbent) |votes = 5,454 |percentage = 100.00% }} {{Election box total no change |votes = 5,454 |percentage = 100.00% }} {{Election box open primary general election no change}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Aaron Bernstine (incumbent) |votes = 15,009 |percentage = 51.50% }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Kolbe Cole |votes = 10,032 |percentage = 34.43% }} {{Election box candidate no change |party = United |candidate = Johnathan Peffer |votes = 4,100 |percentage = 14.07% }} {{Election box total no change |votes = 29,141 |percentage = 100.00% }} {{Election box end}}
{{Election box open primary begin no change|title = 2022 Pennsylvania House of Representatives 8th district election<ref name="primary 2022" /><ref name="election 2022" />}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Aaron Bernstine (incumbent) |votes = 5,826 |percentage = 49.05% }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = John Kennedy |votes = 4,887 |percentage = 41.15% }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Eric Ditullio |votes = 1,164 |percentage = 9.80% }} {{Election box total no change |votes = 11,877 |percentage = 100.00% }} {{Election box open primary general election no change}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Aaron Bernstine (incumbent) |votes = 25,702 |percentage = 100.00% |change = }} {{Election box total no change |votes = 25,702 |percentage = 100.00% |change = }} {{Election box end}}
==References== {{reflist|30em}}
{{s-start}} {{s-par|us-pa-hs}} {{s-bef|before=Jaret Gibbons}} {{s-ttl|title=Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives<br>from the 10th district|years=2017–2022}} {{s-aft|after=Amen Brown}} |- {{s-bef|before=Timothy R. Bonner}} {{s-ttl|title=Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives<br>from the 8th district|years=2023–present}} {{s-inc}} {{s-end}}
{{Pennsylvania House of Representatives}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bernstine, Aaron}} Category:1984 births Category:Living people Category:Republican Party members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Category:University of Pittsburgh alumni Category:Pennsylvania State University alumni Category:21st-century members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly