Molecular pathologist Dr. Margaret Burke, of Lower Salford, announced a run for the PA House 147th District seat (Credit: Burke)
Burke, a Democrat and molecular pathologist who lives in Lower Salford Township, is running in a district currently represented by Republican Rep. Donna Schueren
Dr. Margaret Burke formally announced her candidacy to represent Pennsylvania’s 147th State House District in the General Assembly, kicking off a campaign focused on affordability, healthcare and education.
“I’m running to make life easier for Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable,” Burke said in a news release. “Regardless of party affiliation, what we have now isn’t working. Families are struggling with costs, healthcare gaps and an education system that doesn’t serve every child fairly.”
The 147th District includes the communities of Upper and Lower Salford, Upper and Lower Frederick, New Hanover, Upper Pottsgrove, Douglass, and parts of Franconia.
The district is currently represented by Republican state Rep. Donna Schueren, who has not yet made any announcements about running for a third term.
Burke, a Democrat, lives in Lower Salford with her husband, their two children, and two rescue dogs. She holds a bachelor of science degree in biology from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University, a Ph.D. in cellular and molecular pathology from SUNY Stony Brook, and an MBA from Cornell University.
She has been endorsed by U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-4th Dist., who said, “I’m thrilled to support Margaret Burke in her run for State Representative. She is a tireless organizer with strong values. Her love of family and community, equal opportunity, fairness, and civic engagement give me faith in her commitment to public service. She and her work will be great assets to her community and to Pennsylvania.”
Early in her professional life, Burke worked in the pharmaceutical business sector before stepping away in 2004 to care for her son, who has a disability, according to a news release. That experience became a catalyst for her advocacy on behalf of families navigating special education services, healthcare challenges and the transition to adulthood for people with disabilities, according to a press release issued by her campaign.
“Too many families in Pennsylvania are lost in a maze of paperwork, waiting lists, and unclear processes,” Burke said. “I know that struggle personally, and I’m committed to making sure families don’t have to go through it alone.”
Burke’s work in the community extends beyond her family’s experience. She has been active in local politics for years as an advocate and volunteer and currently serves as a committee person for Lower Salford 2, alongside her son John. In that role, she has worked to engage residents, organize events, and support civic participation.
In outlining her priorities, Burke emphasized affordability, healthcare access, and education as cornerstones of her campaign:
• Affordability: With inflation and rising costs squeezing household budgets, Burke plans to champion policies that help families and seniors keep more of their hard-earned dollars.
• Healthcare access: Drawing from her background in science and her lived experience with the healthcare system, she aims to expand access to quality care, particularly for children, families and people with disabilities.
• Education: Burke supports strengthening public schools, improving special education resources, and ensuring that every child in the district has the tools to succeed.
“I’m running because I believe that good government can be compassionate and effective,” Burke said in her press release. “Pennsylvanians deserve leaders who listen, learn and deliver real results.”
