Rep. Tarik Khan's Biography

Tarik Khan was elected to represent Pennsylvania's 194th Legislative District in Philadelphia on November 8, 2022, representing Manayunk, Roxborough, parts of Chestnut Hill, and East Falls. Tarik was born and raised in Philadelphia and graduated from Central High School of Philadelphia, Davidson College, Roxborough Hospital School of Nursing, La Salle University, and The University of Pennsylvania.

His father emigrated to Philadelphia from Pakistan to build a better life for himself. Tarik credits his parents and his diverse background for his urge to speak out about injustice and fight against it. 

Tarik followed in the footsteps of his mother, who is a nurse; Tarik has been a registered nurse for nearly two decades and has been a nurse practitioner since 2011.

As a nurse, Tarik worked tirelessly during the COVID-19 pandemic and co-created a vaccine program for persons with disabilities that he presented at a White House/CDC forum. Tarik's work was featured in People Magazine and Good Morning America - GMA3 and was the subject of the Mid-Atlantic Emmy award-winning documentary "Angel Dose." Tarik received his Ph.D. from The University of Pennsylvania in May 2023, and is the former President of the Pennsylvania State Nurses Association. He was also the founder and chairperson of Enabling Minds, which supported the education of children with developmental disabilities. 

As a legislator, Tarik has passed several bills into law, including legislation making first-responders eligible for workers comp benefits for PTSI, expanding access to healthcare for children, supporting caregivers and people living with Alzheimer’s, expanding funding for affordable housing, protecting consumers against SLAPP suits, increasing veterans’ access to disability benefits from Agent Orange and burn pit exposure, and security funding for mosques, synagogues, churches and LGBTQ+ centers at risk for hate crimes.