Rep. Napoleon Nelson's Biography

Rep. Napoleon Nelson was elected to represent the 154th Legislative District in November 2020. He currently serves as chair of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus and serves on committees dedicated to educating our youth and shaping Pennsylvania’s economy.

Nelson has championed support for public schools, social and environmental justice, and the alignment of innovative technologies. He also introduced legislation to protect Pennsylvanians from hate crimes and combat the homelessness crisis. He has also increased funding for public defenders and the human relations commission. Nelson was recognized as one of Harrisburg’s most effective lawmakers during the 2023–24 term by the University of Virginia’s Center for Effective Lawmaking and was named a Champion of the Environment by PennFuture in 2024.

Nelson is a proud graduate of Central High School and holds a B.S. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He is a finance professional who has worked for Vanguard, Campbell Soup, and SEI Investments. Nelson’s public service career has included roles on the Cheltenham School Board, as Cheltenham Township’s Finance Officer, and as a Trustee for Montgomery County Community College.

A native of Philadelphia’s Mt. Airy neighborhood, Nelson married his high school sweetheart, Shareese, in 2002. The couple moved to Cheltenham Township in 2003 where they raised their two children, both graduates of the Cheltenham School District. He and his family are members of Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church.