Walsh is 3rd Democrat to enter state Senate race in 38th District
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Donald Trump’s victory in the 2016 presidential election motivated many people to back up their political beliefs with actions.
For Stephanie Walsh, a Hillary Clinton campaign volunteer heartbroken by Mr. Trump’s win, it prompted a run for office.
“The 2016 campaign really was a catalyst,” Ms. Walsh said Saturday at her campaign kickoff in Ross. “They called on women to run, and where I was in my life I realized that it was a great opportunity for me and that it was chance for me to step up.”
The event at Sieb’s Pub brought together about 200 people who will support Ms. Walsh in her bid for state Senate in the 38th District. Ms. Walsh, 48, a Democrat, faces two other women in the May Democratic primary — teachers union staffer Lindsey Williams and nurse Michelle Boyle.
Whoever gets the Democratic nod will run against either incumbent state Sen. Randy Vulakovich, R-Shaler, or his challenger, Jeremy Shaffer, a Ross commissioner.
The 38th District includes much of northern Allegheny County from Marshall in the west to Harrison in the east and south into Pittsburgh, including Ms. Walsh’s home in Highland Park.
This is Ms. Walsh’s first run for office, but she said she has the experience voters should be looking for in a candidate.
Ms. Walsh currently works in Pittsburgh as a senior analyst for West Chester-based Public Works LLC. She touts a resume that includes seven years as a non-partisan budget analyst in Colorado, time as a middle school science teacher, and degrees in environmental conservation, education and public policy.
With that background, Ms. Walsh prioritizes fiscal responsibility, the quality and affordability of education, and public health and environmental protection.
While Ms. Walsh has progressive values, she said her “experience is in problem solving.” She said she has the ability to reach across party lines and end the partisan gridlock that often brings Harrisburg to a halt.
“I feel very excited about Stephanie’s candidacy because she has a broad background in government, understanding how governments work ... and she has the ability to really connect with people and to work on both sides of the spectrum,” said Ellen Kight, campaign chairman for Ms. Walsh.
“She has a history of being able