Joe Emrick is a Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing the 137th District in Northampton County, which includes townships of Bethlehem, Hanover , Palmer, Upper and Lower Nazareth, and boroughs of Nazareth and Tatamy. First elected in 2010, he is serving his eighth term as of 2025. Notable achievements include appointment as Republican Chairman of the House Commerce Committee , authorship of Act 19 of 2016 , leadership on biosolids issues via House Resolution 60 , recognition as a Guardian of Small Business by the National Federation of Independent Business , and prior roles as Deputy Whip . He previously served as chair of the Upper Nazareth Township Board of Supervisors and commissioner in Salisbury Township.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: Bangor Area High School graduate; BA in History/Secondary Education from Lycoming College ; MA in Education from Kutztown University ; taught history and economics in Stroudsburg, Pleasant Valley, and Lower Moreland school districts for 18 years, earning awards for innovative entrepreneurship teaching from the Freedom Foundation of Valley Forge and Excellence in Education from Lower Moreland School District.
• Political Experience: Member, Republican State Committee; elected Upper Nazareth Township supervisor and chair; Salisbury Township commissioner; unsuccessful 2004 House campaign; elected to Pennsylvania House District 137 in 2010 and reelected through 2025; current committees include Consumer Affairs, Local Government, Professional Licensure, and Tourism & Recreational Development. Resides in Upper Nazareth Township with wife Christine and daughters Olivia and Zoey.