Here to help: Ward, Waltenbaugh vie to use 39th District Senate seat to better others

Tay Waltenbaugh knows if he wants to unseat Kim Ward in the race for the 39th District State Senate seat, he has to get Republicans on his side.

Waltenbaugh, a Hempfield Democrat, is hopeful his years as CEO of Westmoreland Community Action will give him an edge with voters in a district that covers most of central Westmoreland County. But he faces Ward, a 12-year Senate veteran representing a county that is Republican-led in voter registration.

“Everybody kind of knows that the Republicans have the advantage in our county, so I need Republican votes to have a shot,” said Waltenbaugh, 66. “We’re trying to educate both sides as to the issues and the kind of person I am and what I’ve done for the last 39 years, so they can have a good consideration of what I bring to the table.”

In an effort to sway voters, Waltenbaugh has taken to the streets, attending events held by both Republican and Democrats. He has attended gun bashes, functions at sportsmen clubs and fishing derbies, noting, “I attend whatever I can go to.”

For Ward, community outreach has included attending “concealed carry” seminars, rallies in support of President Donald Trump and fundraisers for the Westmoreland County Food Bank.

“I’ve always done it,” said Ward, 64. “I’ve always gone to everything I can. … I get some of my best ideas when I’m out and about, talking to people I represent, being a part of that and not being a part of sitting in my office or being in Harrisburg.”

She noted legislation such as House Bill 145, which passed the Senate in 2013 and eliminates mechanics’ lien rights for subcontractors who work on residential properties if the owner has paid the main contractor in full, came out of talking to members of the public.

“These are things that come from the ground,” Ward said. “This is what we see happening here.”

An early start

Knowing Republicans in the 39th District hold a 14,000-voter registration edge over Democrats, Waltenbaugh said he got an early start on the campaign trail. Being a first-time candidate, Waltenbaugh said he needed to assemble a new support team and campaign staff.

“I think we’ve put a great plan together for what we need moving forward in the next five to six weeks to get this done,” Waltenbaugh said. “I think starting early probably helped me and I think it helped educate people that that was my interest and how they could help me moving forward.”

He quickly laid out his priorities, a continuation of the work he did at Westmoreland Community Action. His goals, if elected, center around job training, affordable housing, education, access to credit for local businesses and increasing opportunities for retirees, displaced workers and those entering the workforce.

He also is hopeful his early start will give him an edge on Ward, who has been in local politics since 1994, when she worked as county chair of former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum’s senate campaign. By 2002, Ward was elected as a Hempfield supervisor. In 2008, she was elected as a county commissioner.

That same year, she won the 39th District seat, becoming the first woman to do so.

During her time in office, Ward has passed bills regarding child abuse laws, the Real ID program, a grant program for middle-income college students and more.

“I’m honored to have done that, and I’m just a hard worker,” Ward said. “And I’ve gotten a lot of legislation done — a lot.”

Unusual campaign

Both candidates, however, were forced to take a step back this spring when the coronavirus pandemic swept the nation. That meant fewer physical events were taking place for Ward and Waltenbaugh to attend.

Instead, they turned to social media — both creating Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages — as a means to reach out to voters.

“I worked harder than I ever worked without leaving my house because people are reaching out to me through social media for help,” Ward said. “(Campaigning) changed a lot because you couldn’t go to a lot, but I’m out there.”

In addition to social media, Waltenbaugh sent postcards and made campaign phone calls. He also attends virtual meetings for Democratic initiatives and the state Senate GOP.

“There are times people allow me to speak on Zoom meetings and so forth, but, again, you’re not reaching large numbers like you normally do in past years,” Waltenbaugh said. “The pandemic has really curtailed a lot of our activities, but we’re doing the best that we can.”

As covid-related orders continue to be lifted, Ward and Waltenbaugh are getting back on the campaign trail, attending community events and spreading their platform messages.

“I crossed the aisle my whole life working with people,” Waltenbaugh said. “I never asked whether they were an R or a D when I was helping them, and that’s important. Really, in this day in age, if you’re a legislator, I don’t care if it’s state or federal level, it doesn’t make any difference if somebody’s an R or D. You’re here to help the people of our district, and that’s all I care about.”