Justin Walsh, the Republican nominee in the race for the 58th legislative district, appears to have a checkered past.
In 1995, Walsh pled guilty to harassment. The details are not fully clear but the offense occurred on June 3rd. On June 12th, Walsh issued a guilty plea and received a ninety day suspended sentence and also had to pay “fines and costs”.
The next year, on May 5th, Walsh was arrested and charged with 13 counts: 4 counts aggravated assault; 4 counts simple assault; 4 counts recklessly endangering another person and 1 count of disorderly conduct engaged in fighting.
The arrest report stated Walsh “did attempt to cause serious bodily injury to another person…by punching and kicking an individual who had been knocked down to the sidewalk requiring that individual to be transported to the hospital for treatment.”
At a non-jury trial on March 24th, 1997 Walsh was found guilty of simple assault. That day, he pled guilty to disorderly conduct. The total costs of fines and restitution exceeded $4,000.
These incidents occurred while Walsh studied the law at Seton Hall University. He was admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar on March 3rd, 1998.
Finally on May 11th, 2003, Walsh was involved in a bar brawl. According to Amanda Gillooly of the Tribune-Review, Justin Walsh was among those charged with disorderly conduct. Although it appears that charge was dropped, his brother Jared did plead no contest to a simple assault charge and was given a year of probation. It is also possible Gillooly made an error and included the wrong Walsh.
“Justin Walsh’s repeated violent convictions and arrests show that he is unfit to hold elected office,” said Nathan Davidson, Executive Director of the PA HDCC. “Walsh’s tendency towards violence reveals that he lacks the restraint or the respect of the law to serve as an elected Representative for the Commonwealth.”
“Representatives are tasked with writing the laws that govern our great Commonwealth,” Davidson continued. “Mr. Walsh should focus on following the law, rather than running for an office that would have him to write laws he may lack the self-restraint to obey.”
“Mary Popovich is trying to distract the voters by bringing up events from over 20 years, during an individual’s early 20’s,” HRCC Executive Director Chad Weaver responded. “Obviously she is concerned and fearful that voters are hearing about her extremely liberal record and support of Governor Wolf’s massive tax increases. That is why she refuses to show up at the debates.”
The 58th legislative district represents part of Westmoreland County and is a prime target for the Republicans as it resides in the increasingly conservative Southwestern portion of the state. In fact, retiring incumbent Democratic State Rep. Ted Harhai won by only 282 votes in 2014.
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16 Responses
Republicans in westmoreland county are dumb as dirt. Eventually someone will ask ten years down the road why all these empty suits have brought no jobs to the area and toss them out. It’s okay for them when it’s a republican but if this were a democrat… oh no way! Another lackey for Kim Wards loser kid to send casino facebook messages to. Someone should follow up on Brad Bumsteads article in the paper and look into that…
And also look into the Catholic Churches handing out political flyers there just recently and ask why that’s happening.
It is really a disgrace that in the Republicans have chosen Justin Walsh. Pennsylvania does not need violent bullies in Harrisburg or in our legal profession. Walsh claims one of these arrests was a “college graduation” incident but if you pull up the public docket the dates show he would have been ready to enter his third year of law school when he got into this brawl. A person who has completed two years of law school is not some kid and at that point in his life he should have known better than to get into a violent fight! Four aggravated assault charges and three recklessly endangering another person, this is very serious stuff that DAs don’t usually make up for no reason. Walsh weaseled off the hook by pleading guilty to lesser charges, and somehow still became a lawyer, but then he got arrested again for being in yet another fight even AFTER he was admitted to the bar? Come on!
As a female voter, I am sick and tired of entitled old boys controlling so much in Harrisburg. The GOP putting up this bully is the last straw. It’s time to say no. Pennsylvanians deserve better representatives in our General Assembly than a man with a repeated criminal history of violently hitting people. Support Mary Popovich for the 58th State House seat!
“Mary Popovich is trying to distract the voters by bringing up events from over 20 years, during an individual’s early 20’s,” HRCC Executive Director Chad Weaver responded. “Obviously she is concerned and fearful that voters are hearing about her extremely liberal record and support of Governor Wolf’s massive tax increases. That is why she refuses to show up at the debates.” Justin Walsh, the Republican nominee in the race for the 58th legislative district
It’s a new day; voters are more intelligent and more informed. Let’s move to more pressing issues such as supporting our work trades/unions and education at all levels. Westmoreland is ready for positive grassroots change from a candidate with decades of working hard for all. Support Mary Popovich; you will not be disappointed!
Yo! Didn’t I tell you jerkoffs that we own him? So shut up already and give him a good leaving alone…unless you want to meet up with a dozen of Johnny Docs guys.He owes us big time now
It’s the convictions that are a concern. Anyone can get arrested. Half the State House has arrest and conviction records. What’s one more?
I think for his opponent should win this race next month and not him due to his arrests a lot.
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Was Mr. Walsh recruited by HRCC? Someone failed to do a dead simple background check that would’ve taken anyone with an Internet connection approximately 90 seconds from sitting down, including pausing periodically to sip coffee.
Lots of kids get into bar fights in college. Most of them have the sense to know when to run away. Hint, it’s before the cops show up. The man’s an idiot.
Um, one of those events took place a little over 10 years ago. Which would mean he was in his 30’s. Not something kids do. Nice try though.
Yeah, this guy clearly has a pattern of violence. This should be held against him. Once could be a mistake, but three incidents is a pattern. Don’t vote for him.
I think for his opponent should win this race next month and not him due to his arrests a lot.
Who is his opponent in this race.
Mr. Tough Guy must be part of the Trumpian Alt-Right.
I still remember the PennDot “macing” trials in the 1970’s where all the political appointees showed up at federal court trial with their “Italian” family lawyers from Greensburg.
Law ad order! Law and order! Law and order! Oh wait. He’s one of ours…I think. the Zappala Crime Family backs lots of Republicans, especially in Westmoreland, which we own. Sorry. I didn’t mean to rat out a friendly. It’s just what I do.