Allison Park attorney seeks to become Allegheny County judge
An attorney with Allegheny County Child Protection Services (CPS) is seeking to become an Allegheny County judge.
Alyssa Cowan, an Allison Park resident and assistant county solicitor for CPS, made the announcement Saturday.
“I’ve decided to throw my name in this race, not to chase political fame or boost my resume but to help build a better and more equitable Allegheny County,” Cowan said.
The first-time candidate is seeking the Democratic Party nomination in the May 18 primary, forgoing the traditional practice of judicial candidates to cross-file.
“I couldn’t in good conscience list myself on the ballot as a Republican, as the modern GOP sadly continues to align itself with practices that openly advocate against certain segments of our community,” Cowan said.
“Providing any type of endorsement to this behavior, even if in just tacit acknowledgment on the ballot, would jeopardize my commitment to serving every person in our community.”
With more than 20 years of legal experience, Cowan said she has been working on behalf of families in Western Pennsylvania for years. She holds both a law degree and master’s degree in social work.
She said she’s seeking a seat on the county Common Pleas Court to further serve the community.
Her professional career has been dedicated to helping abused and neglected children through the legal system, with stints at the Statewide Adoption and Permanency Network (SWAN), KidsVoice and as an assistant attorney general in the Child Protection Section of Washington, D.C.’s Office of the Attorney General.
Cowan said her work experience has taught her to navigate the emotional aspects of working in court.
She plans to begin campaigning this month and will implement a grassroots strategy built on volunteers.
Cowan said she looks forward to meeting residents from across the county in coming months.
“I wouldn’t be in this race if it wasn’t for my commitment to a community I’ve been part of since I was a child,” she said.
“I look forward to going door-to-door in an effort to earn every vote possible.”
For more, visit votecowan.com or Facebook/ Cowan4Judge.
Tawnya Panizzi is a TribLive reporter. She joined the Trib in 1997. She can be reached at tpanizzi@triblive.com.
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