Corry native and community leader Kathryn DiVittorio has announced her candidacy for the Democratic nomination for Pennsylvania State Representative in the 4th Legislative District in the May 19, 2026 primary election.
“I’m running for State Representative because leadership starts with connection,” DiVittorio said in a prepared statement. “Too often, politicians become disconnected from the people they serve. I believe leadership begins with connection with our neighbors, families, and community. In the Fourth District, we deserve representation grounded in dignity and real understanding of the challenges that rural families face. I’ve spent years working in the education system, alongside local businesses, and with families navigating support systems. I’m ready to bring that people-centered leadership to Harrisburg.”
DiVittorio is seeking the Democratic nomination in the 4th Legislative District. If she secures the nomination in the primary, she would likely face incumbent Republican Jake Banta, who was first elected in 2022, in the November general election.
The 4th Legislative District includes Corry City; the townships of Amity, Concord, Franklin, Girard, Greenfield, LeBoeuf, McKean, North East, Union, Venango, Washington, Waterford and Wayne; and the boroughs of Edinboro, Elgin, Girard, Lake City, McKean, Mill Village, North East, Platea, Union City, Waterford and Wattsburg.
Background
DiVittorio returned to Corry eight years ago after living in New York and Ohio, saying she was determined to invest her experience back into the community that raised her.
She currently serves as Assistant Director of the Corry Higher Education Council, where she works to expand educational access and workforce opportunity in the region. She is also founder and director of the DiVittorio Center for Autism, a Corry-based nonprofit rural autism educational facility and resource support center that is in the process of state accreditation.
Her community involvement includes serving as treasurer of the Corry Chamber of Commerce; member of the Corry Area School Board; board vice president of the Autism Society of Northwestern Pennsylvania; co-chair of the Corry Emerging Leaders Fund; committee chair of the Uplift Corry initiative; and Impact Corry Connectivity Champion. She previously served on the Erie County Human Relations Commission.
DiVittorio holds dual bachelor’s degrees in finance and justice studies. She is a 2021 Emerge Pennsylvania alumna and a graduate of the Jefferson Educational Society’s Civic Leadership Academy, as well as the Raimy Fellowship program, where she developed a proposal to expand comprehensive autism support services for rural students now serving southeast Erie County and the surrounding region.
Her leadership efforts, she said, have focused on strengthening public education, supporting local businesses and improving access to services for rural families.
DiVittorio lives in Corry with her husband, two biological children and a stepson.
Petition Signing Events
As part of her campaign launch, DiVittorio has scheduled several petition signing events across the district. Upcoming opportunities include:
- Saturday at 9 a.m. at The Bean in North East
- Saturday at 4 p.m. at Tim Hortons, 808 East Main Street in Girard
- Sunday at 9 a.m. at Bean & Bear Café in Edinboro
- Monday, March 2, at 5 p.m. at Dunkin, 671 East Columbus Avenue in Corry
