Ryncavage, McCurdy share their top 5 issues in race for 119th House District
Alec Ryncavage and Lauren McCurdy discussed data center development as a key issue in their race for Pennsylvania’s 119th House District. Ryncavage cited his support for a development moratorium and efforts to help Newport Township residents challenge a zoning change that led to 15 data center permits, while McCurdy said she would seek to halt construction for a year and require data centers to cover their electricity costs.
Data center development emerged as one of the top issues in the 2026 race for Pennsylvania’s 119th House District, which includes Newport Township and communities in the Luzerne County area. Republican state Rep. Alec Ryncavage said he supported a moratorium on data center development, ending the sales-tax exemption for data center equipment, and requiring reporting of water and electricity use.
Ryncavage also said he is helping Newport Township residents understand their legal options for challenging an April zoning change that resulted in 15 data center permits. Democratic challenger Lauren McCurdy said she would seek to stop data center construction for one year and require existing facilities to pay their own electricity costs without increasing utility bills.