Berks County · Republican Primary · May 19, 2026
Berks County Republican Primary 2026
Everything Berks County Republicans need to vote on May 19 — ballot dates, mail-in deadlines, polling places, and the contested races on the ballot.
The Berks County primary calendar
Mark these two dates
May 13
Tuesday
Last day to REQUEST a mail-in ballot. Apply online at vote.pa.gov or in person at the Berks County Board of Elections, 633 Court Street, Reading PA 19601.
May 19
Tuesday · 8:00 PM
Last day to RETURN your mail-in ballot OR vote in person. Polls open 7 AM–8 PM. Find your polling place at vote.pa.gov.
Republican Primary Races
What's on the Berks County GOP ballot
The May 19 Republican primary in Berks County includes contested and uncontested races for state and local offices. The headline race in the 128th District is the rare contested Republican primary against a 16-year incumbent.
CONTESTED — TWO REPUBLICANS
PA State Representative — 128th District
The most-watched race on the Berks GOP ballot. David Hughes (Birdsboro / Exeter Township, Fortune 500 finance background) challenges 16-year incumbent Mark Gillen.
See the 128th race detail →Other PA State House Districts on Berks ballots
Voters in other Berks Districts (124, 126, 127, 129, 130, 134) will see their own primary races. Contact the Berks County Board of Elections for your district's specific ballot.
The headline contest
The 128th District contested race
Berks County's 128th District is R+35 — whoever wins the Republican primary effectively wins the seat for the next two years. Here's the public-record comparison.
Incumbent
Mark Gillen
- •16 years in PA House (since 2010)
- •0 signature laws authored
- •5 of 8 elections unopposed
- •$11,993 raised most recent filing
- •Bio claims "Act 48 Certified Teacher" — PA DoE TIMS database returns Inactive, no employment record, 18 expired sub permits
Republican Challenger
David Hughes
- •40 years Fortune 500 (Raytheon, AMD, Omnicell)
- •CMA + CFM — verifiable national finance credentials
- •Class of '74 Daniel Boone HS, 3-sport varsity
- •Discovered $1.8M in Exeter Township fraud
- •Came home to fight for the district that raised him. Won't take corporate or special-interest PAC money.
How to vote on May 19
Three ways your vote counts
1
Mail-in ballot
Request by May 13 at vote.pa.gov. Return by May 19 at 8 PM. Vote from home.
2
In person on May 19
Polls open 7 AM to 8 PM. Bring your ID. Find your polling place at vote.pa.gov.
3
Help someone else
Drive a neighbor. Help a senior request mail-in. Share this page with a friend in Berks County.
Berks County Republican Primary
Your vote on May 19 decides the 128th
Request your mail-in ballot. Donate to David Hughes. Share this page with one Berks County friend.
Paid for by Elect David Hughes PAC. hughes128.com · 2026 Republican Primary Candidate, Pennsylvania 128th District.