Aaron Bernstine is a state representative representing the state’s 8th Legislative District, which includes Butler and Lawrence counties. Before his district changed, Bernstine represented the state’s 10th Legislative District.

State Rep. Aaron Bernstine, R-8th, has resigned from his committee assignments in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives a week after he was accused of going on a homophobic tirade against one of his state House colleagues in a Harrisburg bar.

During a state house session Tuesday, Oct. 6, an announcement was read stating Bernstine had stepped down from every committee he sat on.

According to his representative biography, Bernstine was a part of the following committees: insurance, transportation (subcommittee on railroads, Republican chair), intergovernmental affairs & operations and labor & industry (subcommittee on workers compensation & worker protection, Republican chair).

A PennLive report on Wednesday evening, Sept. 30, claimed Bernstine, who represents parts of Butler and Lawrence counties, was overheard in a crowded bar calling a gay Democratic lawmaker an anti-gay slur and falsely claiming the other lawmaker lost weight because of AIDS.

The alleged insults against Philladelphia-area Rep. Malcom Kenyatta, D-181st, have led to calls from the Black caucus and the LGBTQ+ Equality caucus, as well as other politicians and organizations, for Bernstine to resign from the House.

Bernstine has since denied the allegations, calling the report “a political attack” and saying his office is “exploring all available legal remedies.”

In a statement sent to the Butler Eagle on Tuesday, Bernstine said he would spend the little time left in the legislative session focused on trying to address outstanding political matters.

“With just three legislative days remaining, my focus is on delivering results on the issues that matter most to Pennsylvanians,” he said. “My attention is squarely on the priorities that still have a chance to become law before we adjourn: eliminating the gas tax, lowering Pennsylvania’s income tax and passing skill games legislation to support small businesses.

“With this short amount time before the end of session, the real work is on the house floor and moving these issues ahead to help Pennsylvanians.”

Bernstine is up for reelection against Democratic challenger Rick Telesz in the Nov. 3 general election.