who is John Zangari?
John Zangari, candidate for Pennsylvania House District 171, was born on October 15, 1998, in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, in Northampton County. Raised by his parents, Salvatore and Donna Zangari, John learned early the value of service and responsibility. Salvatore served in the United States Army for more than 35 years while simultaneously supporting the U.S. Army in federal service, while Donna dedicated herself to their home and helped support John’s education through cyber school – together instilling the belief that hard work and dedication open doors.
John also learned firsthand what it takes to run a local business by working alongside his grandparents at Main Street Restaurant in Northampton. Those experiences taught him the day-to-day realities of meeting payroll, serving customers, managing costs, and keeping a small business running through good times and bad.
John earned his associate degree in Criminal Justice from Northampton Community College and later completed his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice at Kutztown University. After graduation, he moved to State College to be with his wife, Vivian Zangari, as she pursued her master’s degree. In State College, John worked as an Equipment Room Manager at Penn State University, where he oversaw a multi-million-dollar inventory of camera equipment and trained students on proper use and operation. Later, while back in the Lehigh Valley to help care for his grandmother, John served Lehigh County as a corrections officer – graduating top of his class and gaining a clear, firsthand understanding of both the demands of public safety work and the reforms needed to make our systems more effective and accountable. After an injury in the line of duty, John and Vivian returned to central Pennsylvania, ultimately settling in Lewistown, where they purchased their first home. John currently works for Penn State University in the Sociology and Criminology department.
Throughout these moves and milestones, John has also built and operated Zangari Media, a small business producing photo, video, and web content for local businesses and individuals. Between his work in the restaurant industry, his experience running a media business, and his public service background, John understands the challenges Pennsylvania families and entrepreneurs face. He’s running to make government work better for the people it serves—by reducing unnecessary red tape, lowering the tax burden, and making it easier for small businesses and working families to afford life in Pennsylvania.
John Zangari is not a career politician – and that’s a strength. He didn’t come up through party ladders or insider networks, and he isn’t the kind of candidate built by the political system for the political system. John is running because he believes Harrisburg too often serves itself instead of the people it represents – and that the only way to fix that is to send more everyday, working Pennsylvanians to the Capitol.
John believes Pennsylvania needs more “common people” in office: neighbors who’ve worked real jobs, balanced real budgets, and faced the same challenges as the families they represent. Rather than protecting the status quo, he intends to bring a practical, grounded approach focused on results, transparency, and respect for the taxpayer.
John also intends to be a different kind of candidate and legislator, one who continually reaches out, not just during election season, but throughout the year. That means being present in the community, listening first, and staying accessible to constituents. It also means tracking legislation publicly, clearly explaining votes and priorities, and following up on campaign promises so voters can measure progress and hold their representative accountable – because accountability shouldn’t end on Election Day.