Rep. Ben Waxman's Biography

Ben Waxman was elected to represent Pennsylvania’s 182nd Legislative District in Center City and parts of South Philadelphia in November 2022. A lifelong advocate, journalist, and organizer, Waxman has spent his career fighting for equitable policies and has become a voice for issues that impact all Pennsylvanians.

A dedicated advocate for critical issues, Waxman has emerged as a leading voice on public transit funding, consumer protections in cryptocurrency, and prison reform. He has also actively supported students and staff at the University of the Arts after its abrupt closure, leading to meaningful education reform for higher education institutions, and has successfully expanded grant programs to assist nonprofits in preventing hate crimes throughout the Commonwealth.

Waxman currently serves on the Appropriations, Commerce, Finance, State Government, and Gaming Oversight Committees and holds the role of Subcommittee Chair on Intergovernmental Affairs for the Philadelphia House Delegation.

As a 15-year resident of Center City, Waxman has served on the boards 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 active members of the Beth Zion-Beth Israel synagogue in Center City.
Waxman was raised in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, and attended Springfield Township High School before graduating with a B.A. from Juniata College in 2007.