Lancaster Online: Pro-marijuana state House candidate with past ties to Democratic Party seeks GOP nomination

Eric owns and operates The Green Bee, a store for hemp-derived CBD products. 

Ballotpedia: Eric Beezer

Eric Beezer's campaign for state representative is his first run for public office.

Believes that state government needs to do more to support family farms and small businesses.

Supports reducing property taxes, especially for seniors.

Believes that Pennsylvania will benefit economically from opening up a legal hemp and cannabis industry.

- Believes that state government needs to do more to support family farms and small businesses.
- Supports reducing property taxes, especially for seniors.
- Believes that Pennsylvania will benefit economically from opening up a legal hemp and cannabis industry.

Economy

Supports expanding Pennsylvania's medical marijuana program "so that "everyone can participate."

- Supports expanding Pennsylvania's medical marijuana program "so that "everyone can participate."
- Supports access to abortion.

Healthcare

Supports increased funding for public schools.

- Supports increased funding for public schools.

Education

Supports efforts to clean up the Susquehanna and Conestoga Rivers.

- Supports efforts to clean up the Susquehanna and Conestoga Rivers.

Energy & the Environment

Supports legislation that would end arrests for marijuana possession.

- Supports legislation that would end arrests for marijuana possession.

Public Safety

Supports state legislation that will require federal congressional term limits as outlined by the organization U.S. Term Limits.

- Supports state legislation that will require federal congressional term limits as outlined by the organization U.S. Term Limits.

Voting & Elections

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Eric Beezer

Ballotpedia, Michael Sturla 

Michael earned a bachelor's degree in environmental design from the University of Kansas. He lives with his wife Tracy and has 2 children from a previous marriage.

Rep. Mike Sturla's Biography

Michael is the founder of a painting and renovation business and an architecture and design company. 

Michael Sturla is a state representative in State Assembly District 96. He was first elected in 1990 and is in his 17th term. He previously served on the Lancaster City Council from 1987 to 1990.

Twitter

Voted for House Bill (HB) 2286 to increase food donations for those in need.

As a state representative, voted for House Bill (HB) 2286, which expands donor protections to increase food availability. 

- As a state representative, voted for House Bill (HB) 2286, which expands donor protections to increase food availability. 

As of June 6, 2025, Peter Michael Sturla did not have a website or any information online.

Advocates for requiring automated external defibrillators (AEDs) at school athletic events.

As a state representative, voted for House Bill (HB) 1685, which requires automated external defibrillators (AEDs) at all school athletic events.

- As a state representative, voted for House Bill (HB) 1685, which requires automated external defibrillators (AEDs) at all school athletic events.

As a House Representative, voted for legislation that would protect the environment by requiring safer disposal of batteries.

As a state representative, voted for legislation that requires safer disposal of batteries.

- As a state representative, voted for legislation that requires safer disposal of batteries.

As a House Representative, voted for House Bill (HB) 2426, which bans license plate flipping devices.

As a state representative, voted for House Bill (HB) 2426, which bans license plate flipping devices.

Voted for House Bill (HB) 2162, which would provide survivors of violent crimes more time to secure new housing.

Voted for House Bill (HB) 2162, which provides survivors of violent crimes more time to secure new housing.

- As a state representative, voted for House Bill (HB) 2426, which bans license plate flipping devices.
- Voted for House Bill (HB) 2162, which provides survivors of violent crimes more time to secure new housing.

As a House Representative, voted for House Bill (HB) 2433, which aims to prevent foreign influence in elections.

As a state representative, voted for House Bill (HB) 2433, which prevents foreign-influence in state elections. 

- As a state representative, voted for House Bill (HB) 2433, which prevents foreign-influence in state elections. 

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Peter Michael Sturla

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Stephanie earned her bachelor's degree in Spanish language teacher education from the University of Pittsburgh.  

Stephanie Nichole Rivera currently works as a high school Spanish teacher.  

As of October 3, 2024, Stephanie Nichole Rivera did not have a website or any information online.

As of June 6, 2025, Stephanie Nichole Rivera did not have a website or any information online.

Lancaster Dems pick school board leader to replace Rep. Mike Sturla in 96th House district race

Stephanie Nichole Rivera

- Your state representative represents the interests of your local district in the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives. The State House of Representatives, along with the State Senate, makes up your state lawmaking body: the Pennsylvania General Assembly.
- Your state representative can author, sponsor, and vote on bills that may become state laws, including introducing tax bills. 
- State representatives and their staff respond to constituent concerns and questions through emails, phone calls, and website announcements. 
- State representatives oversee the executive branch and can vote to overrule a veto by the Governor.  
- They are elected to two-year terms and have a salary of $106,000, with a 1-3% annual increase

Your representative and state lawmaker in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Pennsylvania State Representative, District 96

Candidates (3)