Walters Challenging Shusterman For 157th PA House Seat

CHESTER COUNTY, PA — Bryan Walters of Chester County aims to unseat State Rep. Melissa Shusterman in the 157th House District in the 2020 General Election on Nov. 3.

Bryan Walters said on Friday he had secured more than twice the amount of write-in votes needed to claim a place as challenger to Shusterman. The 157th State House District includes Schuylkill Township, Tredyffrin Township and parts of Phoenixville Borough in Chester County and parts of Upper Providence Township in Montgomery County.

"I am truly humbled to have earned more than twice the amount of write-in votes needed to get on the ballot for the 2020 General Election," said Walters. "It is a tremendous honor and privilege to have the opportunity to represent a community in the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives that I know so well and citizens I respect so much."

Walters is a lifelong resident of the district and former Chester County elected official, who has also been an active community volunteer. "I truly care about the place we call home and the values we share. That is why the people of Chester and Montgomery counties can trust me to use my proven experience and record of accomplishments to make our communities better places to live, work and raise a family," Walters said.

Walters added that instead of trying to implement a "radically partisan policy agenda like our current State Representative," his priorities will be those of the people in our district. "Bringing civility and mutual respect back to state government, keeping our children, families and seniors healthy and safe, assisting our small businesses, getting people back to work, and providing our emergency responders with the resources they need to make our communities safer."

Along with his business background, Walters currently serves as the Sadsbury Township Manager and previously served as the Chester County Prothonotary for 12 years and as a Schuylkill Township Supervisor for 11 years. Walters' civic involvements include the Phoenixville Chamber of Commerce, the Phoenixville Area YMCA, the Phoenixville Moose Lodge #1273, West End and Valley Forge Fire Companies and the Pennsylvania Tavern Association.

Incumbent Shusterman (D-PA 157) is running for re-election in 2020. She said on Friday, "For the past two years I have been proud to serve our community. There is still so much at stake, from the pandemic to storm flooding, to small business relief, and I look forward to continuing to serve our community and addressing these issues in Harrisburg for the next two years."