TaWanda is a lifelong Carlisle resident whose family has lived in Cumberland County for seven generations. She graduated from Carlisle High School, earned a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Behavior and Applied Psychology from Albright College, and holds a Master of Divinity from Lancaster Theological Seminary.

With over 20 years of experience in education and human services, TaWanda has led programs that connect underserved communities with vital resources. She currently serves as Program Manager at Penn State Dickinson Law’s Antiracist Development Institute and has previously worked in leadership roles at POWER Interfaith, the Camp Curtin YMCA, and the Boys & Girls Club of Lancaster.

Stallworth for PA | About

Tawanda currently serves as program manager at Penn State Dickinson Law’s Antiracist Development Institute. She previously held leadership roles at POWER Interfaith, the Camp Curtin YMCA, and the Boys & Girls Club of Lancaster.

TaWanda Stallworth’s run for Pennsylvania State Representative in District 199 is her first run for elected office.

2026 Pennsylvania General Election 

What do you see as the most pressing issues facing residents of your district, and how would you address them?
The most pressing issues facing the residents of the 199th are related to affordability and a lack of access to the opportunities and information that can improve our quality of life. I would advocate for ways that we can lower costs for the middle class so that it can grow, including increasing the minimum wage. Repairs to our roads and local infrastructure keep our economy moving and also provide a means for people from the more rural parts of the district to access food and medical services that are stationed a distance away. Investments in workforce development, career readiness, and apprenticeship programs will also ensure that the pipeline for sustainable careers is filled with the best-equipped personnel.

Vote411 Candidate Detail

Families in the 199th are working harder than ever just to stay afloat. TaWanda understands the importance of bringing back good-paying jobs and expanding access to workforce development programs. She’ll champion investment in skilled trades, small businesses, and local entrepreneurship to help rebuild an economy that works for everyone, not just the well-connected.

Stallworth for PA

What are your thoughts on the state budget process? What changes, if any, would you support so that the budget is enacted in a timely manner?
When the legislature fails to pass a timely state budget, the citizens of the 199th and others in the Commonwealth pay the price. The incumbent has voted “no” on reasonable and fair state budget measures, which meant our schools were left waiting, our seniors got left behind, our farmers were cut off, and our veterans were ignored. These political games hurt the very people she was elected to represent. Our schools, seniors, farmers, and veterans deserve better, and I believe putting them first would ensure a fair budget passed in a timely manner. I also support a two-year budget model so that half our time each year isn’t tied up in maneuvering political purse strings.

Advocates for increasing the minimum wage as part of efforts to lower costs for the middle class.

Plans to champion investment in skilled trades, small businesses, local entrepreneurship, and workforce development programs.

- Advocates for increasing the minimum wage as part of efforts to lower costs for the middle class.
- Plans to champion investment in skilled trades, small businesses, local entrepreneurship, and workforce development programs.
- Supports a two-year state budget model.

Economy

From broken sidewalks to outdated public transportation and lack of broadband in some areas, too many residents struggle to access basic services. TaWanda believes in smart, community-driven infrastructure investments that connect people to opportunity, whether it's a reliable bus route, safe streets, or easier access to healthcare and housing support systems.

Supports community-driven infrastructure investments to improve access to healthcare and housing support systems.

- Supports community-driven infrastructure investments to improve access to healthcare and housing support systems.

Healthcare

Every child deserves access to a quality public education, regardless of their zip code. As a proud graduate of Carlisle schools and a longtime advocate for youth programs, TaWanda will fight to ensure our schools are fully funded, our educators are supported, and our students are prepared for success. That means modern classrooms, vocational training opportunities, and safe, inclusive environments where every student can thrive.

Plans to pursue fully funded schools, educator support, modern classrooms, vocational training, and safe, inclusive learning environments.

- Plans to pursue fully funded schools, educator support, modern classrooms, vocational training, and safe, inclusive learning environments.

Education

Should the state legislature enact laws concerning the impacts on water, energy, or land use from the development and operation of data centers? Would state regulation of data center development and operation interfere with the authority of municipalities to establish ordinances under the MPC (Municipal Planning Code)?
I have been speaking with constituents in the 199th about data center development. This is a nuanced, complicated issue, as we must balance our support for new technology with the best interests of the people of the 199th–and especially our most vulnerable residents, including seniors and veterans, who are often impacted the most by issues related to water, energy, and land use. I would fully support exploratory measures that expand the access that residents have under the MPC so that residents have increased opportunities for engagement.

Look, I am not against growth. Nor am I against opportunity. I am also all for building things our communities actually need.

However, I am against pretending that every project called “development” is automatically good for the people who live here—or treating rural communities like empty space on a map. I am also against making decisions about water and land without fully listening to the people who will have to live with the results.

Why Does Responsible Development Matter? | Stallworth for PA

Supports exploring changes to Pennsylvania's Municipal Planning Code to expand residents' opportunities to engage in data-center development decisions.

Opposes making water- and land-use decisions without fully listening to affected residents.

- Supports exploring changes to Pennsylvania's Municipal Planning Code to expand residents' opportunities to engage in data-center development decisions.
- Opposes making water- and land-use decisions without fully listening to affected residents.

Energy & the Environment

As someone who has experienced the criminal legal system firsthand and built a life of purpose and service, TaWanda knows what real restoration looks like. She will work to reform Pennsylvania’s justice system to prioritize rehabilitation over punishment, support reentry programs, and promote community-based solutions to public safety that address root causes and treat everyone with dignity.

Plans to reform Pennsylvania's justice system to prioritize rehabilitation, reentry programs, and community-based public-safety solutions.

- Plans to reform Pennsylvania's justice system to prioritize rehabilitation, reentry programs, and community-based public-safety solutions.

Public Safety

What changes, if any, would you support to enable better access, ensure security, and support the processes of our elections?
Our fair and reliable election system is one of the cornerstones of democracy. Election fraud is a serious but extremely rare issue; I am more concerned about efforts to disenfranchise legitimate voters through documentary proof of citizenship bills that put an unfair burden on those with low incomes, people of color, and women to prove their voting status. I oppose such legislation and believe Pennsylvania’s only concern should be to enfranchise and engage with eligible voters to better substantiate the representative democracy we espouse.

Opposes documentary proof-of-citizenship legislation and prioritizes expanding voting access and engaging eligible voters.

- Opposes documentary proof-of-citizenship legislation and prioritizes expanding voting access and engaging eligible voters.

Voting & Elections

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Tawanda Hunter Stallworth

- Opposes making water- and land-use decisions without fully listening to affected residents.

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- Your state representative represents the interests of your local district in the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives. The State House of Representatives, along with the State Senate, makes up your state lawmaking body: the Pennsylvania General Assembly.
- Your state representative can author, sponsor, and vote on bills that may become state laws, including introducing tax bills. 
- State representatives and their staff respond to constituent concerns and questions through emails, phone calls, and website announcements. 
- State representatives oversee the executive branch and can vote to overrule a veto by the Governor.  
- They are elected to two-year terms and have a salary of $106,000, with a 1-3% annual increase

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