Biography of Representative Kathy Rapp

Representative Kathy L. Rapp is a Republican who represents the 65th Legislative District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, serving Crawford, Forest, and Warren counties.

Kathy Rapp was born on February 23, 1951, in Forest. She resides in Warren and is the mother of three children and grandmother of seven. Beginning her 11th term in January 2025, she has built a career focused on health, human services, and veterans' advocacy.

Before her election to the Pennsylvania House in 2004, Rapp worked extensively in the health and human services field. She served as a community relations representative with Beverly Healthcare, where she managed admissions and marketing for two health care facilities in Warren. She also worked with students with special needs, serving as a compliance monitor within the Pennsylvania Department of Education to examine special education programs throughout the state, and performed consulting work with the Parent Education Network.

Education and Political Experience

Rapp graduated from Warren Area High School in 1969 and attended Brant & Stratton Business School. She earned a paralegal certificate from Slippery Rock State College .

She was first elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 2004 and has been reelected for nine consecutive terms. From 2014 to 2016, she served as Deputy Whip.

Notable Achievements and Positions

Rapp is recognized as one of the Legislature's most consistent and outspoken pro-life advocates. She is serving her fourth full term as Republican Chairman of the House Health Committee, which addresses issues including abortion, disease management, health savings accounts, hospital-acquired infections, Medical Assistance, patient safety, pharmaceutical issues, telemedicine, and welfare reform. She also serves as Republican co-chairman of the bipartisan Pennsylvania House Pro-Life Caucus.

As a strong advocate for veterans, Rapp authored legislation in 2016 that eliminated veterans' disability payments from income eligibility requirements under the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program, which became law. During the 2025-26 Legislative Session, she serves on the House Energy Committee.