Rep. Ben Waxman's Biography

Ben Waxman was elected to represent Pennsylvania’s 182nd Legislative District in Center City Philadelphia on November 8, 2022. Waxman is a journalist, organizer, and community advocate who has consistently led the way on issues that matter most to all Pennsylvanians. 

Waxman was raised in Montgomery County, PA, and graduated from Springfield Township High School. He became an activist early, working on campaigns to abolish the death penalty and protect civil liberties in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Waxman graduated from Juniata College in 2007. 

Waxman began his career as a journalist, serving on the editorial board of the Philadelphia Daily News as well as a reporter covering local government for WHYY. He later worked for the United Food and Commercial Workers as an organizer on the campaign to unionize Walmart. 

Waxman joined the communications staff of the Senate Democratic Caucus in 2013. He served as Director of Communications to Senator Vincent Hughes and the Senate Democratic Appropriations Committee for nearly four years. 

Waxman later joined the staff of the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office as Director of Communications. He also served as D.A. Larry Krasner’s spokesperson. As a 15-year resident of Center City, Waxman has supported local public schools and served on the board of the Center City Residents Association, Pennsylvanians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, Jewish Labor Committee, and the 8th Ward Democratic Executive Committee. 

He and his wife, Julie Wertheimer, are members of Beth Zion-Beth Israel synagogue in Center City.