Democrat Bryan Allen is running for Pennsylvania’s 18th Legislative District, which covers all of Bensalem Township and Hulmeville Borough.
Allen, a former two-term Bensalem Township Council member and longtime legislative staffer, has announced his candidacy for the November 2026 election. The race is expected to be competitive in a district that has grown increasingly politically balanced in recent cycles.
Here is a breakdown of Allen’s background, experience, and policy positions as they relate to issues facing Bensalem residents.
Background and Experience
Bryan Allen is a lifelong Bucks County resident. He graduated from Conwell-Egan Catholic High School in 1996 and from Bloomsburg University in 2001. He lives in Bensalem Township with his wife and three school-age children.
His professional background includes:
- Former two-term Bensalem Township Council member
- Chief of staff to State Representative Tina Davis
- Vice chair of the Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority Board
- President of the Friends of Silver Lake Nature Center
His experience spans both local government and legislative staff work in Harrisburg.
If Taxes Are Important to You
Property taxes in Bensalem are influenced by both township and school district budgets, as well as state funding decisions.
While serving on Bensalem Township Council, Allen introduced the township’s first casino tax rebate program, funded by gaming revenue from Parx Casino. The program currently provides approximately $300 annually to eligible homeowners.
Allen has framed this rebate as a way to return local gaming revenue directly to residents and offset rising costs.
In his current campaign, he has emphasized reducing pressure on property taxes by increasing state investment in public education and closing structural funding gaps that affect local budgets.
He has not held state office previously and therefore has not voted on state budgets or tax legislation.
If Education and School Funding Are Important to You
The Bensalem Township School District is projecting a deficit for the 2026–27 school year and has discussed property tax increases tied in part to rising special education costs and flat or limited state funding growth.
Allen has positioned himself as a pro–public education candidate. His campaign messaging emphasizes:
- Increasing state education funding
- Reducing reliance on local property taxes
- Addressing structural gaps in school funding
As a former legislative chief of staff, he has experience working within the state legislative process, though he has not previously served as a voting member of the General Assembly.
If Public Safety and Quality of Life Are Important to You
During his time on the Township Council, Allen supported:
- Development of a public safety training facility
- Township-level initiatives tied to infrastructure and community development
He has described himself as focused on maintaining safe neighborhoods while managing growth and development.
As president of the Friends of Silver Lake Nature Center, he has also been involved in local environmental and quality-of-life initiatives tied to open space and conservation.
If Infrastructure and Local Development Matter to You
Infrastructure funding for roads, water systems, and community projects often depends on coordination between local and state governments.
Allen currently serves as vice chair of the Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority Board, which oversees regional water and wastewater systems.
While on Township Council, he participated in decisions involving zoning, development, and infrastructure planning.
He has publicly opposed projects he described as contributing to urban sprawl, signaling a focus on development patterns and community planning.
If Healthcare and Working-Family Policies Are Important to You
Allen’s campaign priorities include:
- Expanding Medicaid and healthcare access
- Advocating for a higher minimum wage
- Framing government policy around working families and household affordability
These positions align with broader Democratic policy priorities at the state level.
Political Context
The 18th Legislative District has historically leaned Republican but has grown more competitive in recent elections.
In November 2025, Democrats secured majorities on both the Bensalem Township Council and the School Board.
Allen’s campaign positions him as part of a broader Democratic effort to expand representation in the Pennsylvania House.
Because the district is entirely contained within Bensalem and Hulmeville, the elected state representative serves as the community’s sole voice in Harrisburg on issues including education funding, infrastructure investment, and tax policy.
Summary of His Record
Bryan Allen’s public record includes:
- Two terms on the Bensalem Township Council
- Creation of the township casino tax rebate program
- Legislative staff experience in Harrisburg
- Service on the Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority Board
- Leadership of a local environmental nonprofit
As a candidate, he emphasizes public education funding, property tax relief through increased state support, healthcare access, and policies focused on working families.
Voters evaluating his candidacy may consider how his local government experience and legislative staff background align with their priorities on taxes, schools, public safety, infrastructure, and state-level policy change.
