Philadelphia House Delegation condemns reported hate speech by GOP Rep.
Rep. Morgan B. Cephas October 1, 2026 | 1:18 PM
HARRISBURG, Oct. 1 – The Philadelphia House Delegation issued a statement in support of Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, D-Phila., and calling for the immediate resignation of Rep. Aaron Bernstine, R-Butler/Lawrence, following his reported hateful outburst directed at Kenyatta, according to recent reporting by PennLive:
“The Philadelphia House Delegation stands in support of our colleague from North Philadelphia Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta and echoes the call of the PA Legislative Black Caucus and PA LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus for the immediate resignation of Rep. Aaron Bernstine following his alleged disgusting, hate-filled tirade.
“There is no stronger advocate than Rep. Kenyatta for the promise of Pennsylvania and equality of all people. There is no place in the institution of the House of Representatives nor in this commonwealth for hate speech and the reported abhorrent rhetoric espoused by Rep. Bernstine. As elected officials, we must hold ourselves to a higher standard of conduct, a level which Rep. Bernstine has repeatedly failed.
“While we know that Rep. Kenyatta will continue to shine above the lowbrow spectacle of Rep. Bernstine and his ilk, we believe it’s time for the House Republican leaders and members to be accountable for their colleague, follow the lead of the majority of Pennsylvanians who reject those hateful views by publicly condemning Bernstine’s bluster, and demand that he do the right thing for Pennsylvania and the good people of Butler and Lawrence counties by resigning immediately.”
The Philadelphia House Delegation is chaired by state Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., and consists of 25 members of the PA House of Representatives who represent Pennsylvania’s only county of the first class.