A longtime legislative staffer and former Bensalem Township Council member announced Monday that he is entering the race for Pennsylvania’s 18th House District.
Bryan Allen, a Democrat who served two terms on Bensalem Township Council, said he plans to challenge Republican incumbent K.C. Tomlinson in the November 2026 election. Political observers expect the race to be one of the most competitive legislative contests in the region.
The announcement comes as the Bensalem Township School District faces what administrators have called a budget crisis. The district is projecting a $12.1 million deficit for the 2026-27 school year, driven largely by a $10 million increase in special education costs and stagnant state funding that hasn’t kept pace with inflation.
“I’ve dedicated my career to making our government work for people, not special interests,” Allen said in his campaign announcement. “We deserve a representative in Harrisburg who will do the same.”
Allen had served as chief of staff to State Rep. Tina Davis and is vice chair of the Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority Board. He also serves as president of the Friends of Silver Lake Nature Center, a nonprofit organization.
During his time on Township Council, Allen introduced Bensalem’s first casino tax rebate program for residents. He also supported the approval of a public safety training facility and opposed what he characterized as urban sprawl.
A lifelong Bucks County resident, Allen said his campaign will emphasize economic relief and quality-of-life issues. His stated priorities include increasing state education funding, expanding Medicaid and healthcare access, and advocating for a higher minimum wage.
Allen graduated from Conwell-Egan Catholic High School in 1996 and Bloomsburg University in 2001. He lives in Bensalem Township with his wife and three school-age children.
District at a Glance
Pennsylvania House of Representatives — 18th Legislative District
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Covers: Entire Bensalem Township
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Population represented: ~60,000+ residents
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Role: Represents Bensalem in Harrisburg on the state budget, education funding, infrastructure, and tax policy
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Direct impact on: Property taxes, school funding, road and transit projects, and state grants
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Local institutions affected: Bensalem Township School District, township services, and public safety funding
Because the district does not include any other municipalities, the elected representative serves exclusively Bensalem residents — making the seat one of the township’s most direct links to state decision-making.
Why It Matters to Bensalem—Right Now
The 18th Legislative District consists entirely of Bensalem Township and Hulmeville Borough, meaning the representative serves as the township’s sole voice in the Pennsylvania House and plays a critical role in determining how state funding flows back to the community.
That role has never been more consequential for Bensalem families. The School District is currently facing what administrators describe as a budget crisis—a projected $12.1 million deficit for 2026-27, driven primarily by a $10 million spike in special education costs. The district has proposed a 4.9% property tax increase to address the shortfall, which would cost the average Bensalem homeowner an additional $234 annually.
The root of the problem, according to school officials, is inadequate state funding. Pennsylvania ranks among the lowest states nationally in its share of public education funding, forcing local property taxpayers to carry more of the burden. Bensalem’s state subsidy has remained essentially flat even as costs have risen sharply, particularly for mandated special education services.
Allen’s campaign emphasis on increasing state education funding speaks directly to this crisis. The district’s financial projections show that without significant increases in state aid, Bensalem will face either repeated tax hikes or cuts to programs and staff in the coming years.
Allen’s history with the township’s casino tax rebate program also carries weight during this budget squeeze. The rebate—funded through local gaming revenue from Parx Casino—currently provides $300 annually to eligible homeowners. With the proposed school tax increase of $234, that rebate would partially offset the added burden, but homeowners would still see a net increase in their tax bills.
Allen’s dual experience on the Township Council and as a senior legislative staffer in Harrisburg positions him as someone who understands both Bensalem’s immediate budget pressures and the state-level policy decisions that could provide relief.
For voters, this race isn’t abstract—it’s about whether their next property tax bill goes up again, and whether Harrisburg will provide the funding needed to prevent further increases down the line.
