Eric Nelson
Republican | Pennsylvania
Candidate Profile
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
EDUCATION
Indiana University of PA, Indiana, BS - Safety Science, 1987-1991
Indiana University of PA, Indiana, MS - Safety & Environmental Health, 2009-2010
Indiana University of PA, Indiana, Doctorate Classes- Communications Media, 2012-2015
WORK & MILITARY
General Dynamics Land Systems Division, Senior Safety Representative, 1991-1994
United States Marine Corps - R, Corporal E-4, 1993-2000
Ergonomic & Safety Services, President, 1994-2007
United States Marine Corps - R, Sargent E-5, 2001-2002
Amerisafe Consulting Inc., Sale Transition Year, 2007-2008
Indiana University of PA - Safety Sciences, Faculty & Part Time Instructor, 2010-2026
Steel City Safety, Partner, 2009-2024
Bruster's Old Fashioned Ice Cream, Owner - Partner, 1999-2016
PA House of Representatives, State Representative 57 District, 2016-2026
AFFILIATIONS
Big Brothers - Big Sisters, Big, 1991-1993
Boy Scouts of America, Board Member- West Cnty
Hempfield Spartan Youth Football & Cheer, Coach
Youngwood Baseball & Softball, Coach Softball & Baseball
Samaritan's Purse, Disaster Volunteer
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Hempfield Area School Board, 2007-2008
PA State Representative for 57th District, 2016-2026
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
State Representative for 57th District, 2026-
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
2022
A-
2025
90%, 86%†
2023-2024
67%
2022
|A-
2025
|90%, 86%†
2023-2024
|67%
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
2025-2026
33%, 32%†
2021-2022
20%
2023-2024
17%, 3%†
2025
F
2018
0%
2025-2026
|33%, 32%†
2021-2022
|20%
2023-2024
|17%, 3%†
2025
|F
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (3)
National Rifle Association NRA-PVF
Gun Owners of America
Gun Owners of America Pennsylvania
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (22)
Brian Rasel (2025)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2025)
State Republican Party Organizations (2025)
Brett Miller (2024)
Joe Emrick (2024)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (29)
Pennsylvanians for Tomorrow (2025)
Regola PAC (2025)
Better Pennsylvania PAC (2022)
Farmers Allied for Responsive More Effective Representation (2022)
Red River Canyon Committee (2022)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (4)
International Union of Operating Engineers (2026)
Laborers International Union of N. America (national, state & local) (2026)
Joe Biden (2024)
Obama for America (2013)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (10)
Laborers International Union of N. America (national, state & local) (2025)
International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers (2024)
Salvo Strategies (2024)
United Assoc of Journeymen & Apprentices - Plumbing & Pipe Fitting Industry (2024)
United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America (2024)
OTHER INFORMATION
Candidate voted yea on HB 1800. This bill allowed for state recognition of same sex marriage.
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Agree
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
Rape, Incest & Life of the Mother
Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.
Strongly Agree
The lives of human embryos created through artificial methods ought to be protected from purposeful destruction.
Agree
I am hesitant to give the Government blanket authority to dictate decisions over individual families struggling with fertility. This is a complex issue, one that I have not seen County Departments of Health, or State Departments of Health have exceptional options which would justify taking those difficult decisions away from a family and give to a bureaucrat.
The Comstock Act, which bans interstate transportation of abortion-inducing drugs, should be enforced.
Agree
Mail order chemical abortions can be dangerous to the mother physically AND mentally. They should be monitored and enforced against the pharmacy or issuing organization. I do not know if those same prescriptions have other medicinal value if used for healing, so I am hesitant on a strictly enforced ban without knowing what other impacts may be created.
ECONOMY
What is your position on the minimum wage?
Minimum wage is a starting/training wage and never intended to be a family sustaining wage. Gov. should not mandate wages for private employers. Forced wages results in lower employment for unskilled workers VS increased pay with increased skills.
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
List your top 3-5 priorities to eliminate government waste.
1. Eliminate ability to collect welfare benefits in two, three or more states at the same time. 2. Implement part-time work; volunteer or work skills class to receive welfare benefits. 3. Implement maximum hours work in a day or week for family members providing home health; AND create unique worker ID to cross check charges simultaneously charged to multiple employers.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
It does not mean an absence of religion, or religious principles, in policy making. It means the Government shall not endorse a specific religion and deny, or inhibit, other religions which includes atheism... believing there is no religion is also a belief.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Disagree
Businesses and organizations should be allowed to decline providing custom services like a wedding cake based on their religious belief... AND they should not be able to deny the sale, rent or purchase of an item because of race, gender or a person's alternate religious belief.
HEALTHCARE
What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.
C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary.
The government should keep a database of people with various ongoing medical illnesses to assess the economic burden of treatment.
Strongly Disagree
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
YES - Our relationship with Isreal is important AND the United States should not also blindly succumb to the desire of a given Isreal leader. The interest of the people in the United States should be ALPHA; and then we support, protect, partner with them on a balanced ground remembering our mutual interest in a given situation...
IMMIGRATION
I support the existence of sanctuary cities to protect undocumented persons.
Strongly Disagree
EDUCATION
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.
Agree
Foreign governments should be prohibited from funding American education.
Neutral
Not the best question... A. Do you mean the United States should not accept foreign governments providing scholarships and payments for their students to attend college in the states? We should accept from our allies AND NOT accept countries on terror list or determined to be enemies of our nation. B. Foreign governments, or investors, investing millions in US Universities as a means to influence curriculum should NOT be allowed.
VALUES
Government should recognize and support the fundamental right and essential duty of parents to direct their child's health and educational well-being.
Strongly Agree
Attempts to physically or socially transition a child to the opposite sex constitute child abuse.
Agree
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Neutral
We are all citizens under one constitution, who's principles apply to all lawful citizens equally. Equal rights - NOT special privilege for any group over another. If the question is, do many religions believe marriage is God-ordained?... absolutely they do. And our nation also allows for the beliefs of other religions too... they may be very different - BUT they are authorized and protected under our constitution.
I support the expansion of gambling in my state.
Agree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am far from perfect. I continually strive to be a better person, husband, father, friend, farmer, foster parent, state rep and US Marine. I strongly believe God has given each of us gifts, and it is our burden in life to develop those gifts to the best of our ability. We must not grow idle with money or comforts; but instead step outside our comfort zone and take those bold risks to serve at a broader level, with the opportunity to grow our sphere to improve the lives, perspectives, beliefs and opportunities of those around us. We should respect, actively listen and humbly push the bar forward in a way others can better realize their potential and launch on their own journey to improve themselves and others around them.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
EQUALITY
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.
Strongly Agree
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Man-made climate change is a global threat and requires urgent political action.
Disagree
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
1. Nuclear is currently the most efficient energy source, BUT it takes a decade to build a multi-gigawatt plant. 2. Natural Gas is clean, abundant and can be used to quickly build large scale generation...it can also be dialed back if power is ample
ABOUT YOU
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Conservative
I am a fiscal conservative, constitutionalist
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
No
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
No
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
What should be the goal of the criminal justice system?
Accountability, confinement AND treatment, exposure to faith and working skills development so when released they can read, get a job, have their mental health and/or addiction under control in order to be a more productive citizen.
Government has a responsibility to protect children from sexual exploitation during online activities.
Strongly Agree
Sharia law should not be accepted or incorporated in any form within the legal framework of the United States.
Agree
I am unsure what the entire definition of "IN ANY FORM" encompasses...
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Enumerated Felons lose their right to own a firearm; Waiting until you are an adult to purchase a firearm.
