State Rep. Jessica Benham faces primary challenge from Stephanie Fox in South Hills

Ryan Deto | Thursday, May 12, 2022 2:50 p.m.

Courtesy of Stephanie Fox and Jessica Benham

Stephanie Fox (left) and Jessica Benham are facing off in a Democratic primary race in the 36th State House District.

Pennsylvania’s 36th State House District has seen its share of political drama since former longtime state Rep. Harry Readshaw, D-Carrick, announced his retirement in 2020.

Readshaw’s retirement triggered a controversial race that included a Democratic candidate who had praised former President Donald Trump, yet was still supported by the Allegheny County Democratic Committee. This split local officials, with many jumping to support Jessica Benham, who prevailed in the 2020 House race.

Benham is seeking reelection and faces former Brentwood Councilwoman Stephanie Fox in Tuesday’s primary race for the Democratic nomination. The race also has split local Democrats, with the county committee backing Fox.

Fox is running to the right of Benham and focusing her campaign on neighborhood safety, public education, and fiscal responsibility. Benham is highlighting funding she has brought to the district, along with her progressive voting record and support for increasing the minimum wage, lowering health care costs and increasing public school funding.

The district includes Brentwood, Mt. Oliver and several Pittsburgh neighborhoods, including all or parts of Arlington, Brookline, Beechview, Bon Air, Carrick, Overbrook, Mt. Washington and the South Side. It is reliably Democratic, but more conservative than other districts within the city.

Jessica Benham

Benham, 31, of the South Side Slopes, worked at a nonprofit dedicated to advocating for autistic people before being elected. Benham is autistic and became one of the first openly autistic state representatives in the country. She also is the first openly bisexual woman elected to serve in Harrisburg.

She said she is running with a focus on “fighting extremist Republicans” in the state House and touts bringing back $5.5 million back to her district in her first year in office.

“I’m running for reelection to continue to build on my record of addressing high costs of living by pushing for a higher minimum wage, reducing healthcare costs and providing tax relief for struggling Pennsylvanians,” said Benham.

Benham criticized her opponent for not providing details on her policy platform. If reelected, Benham said she would continue to increase investments in public safety, infrastructure and green space in the district, as well as support efforts for workers to unionize and protect people’s reproductive and civil rights.

She also highlighted her support of funding school districts more equitably.

“I’ll continue to fight for fair funding of our school districts and ensure that our tax dollars are invested in projects in our district,” said Benham.

Stephanie Fox

Fox, 47, lives in Brentwood. She formerly served as a Brentwood councilwoman and worked at a nonprofit dedicated to advocating for crime victims. Fox did not respond to multiple interview requests for this story.

Her campaign website says she was raised in a union household, and highlights her support for good union jobs.

When she launched her campaign in March, Fox told the Tribune-Review that her top priorities were bringing additional funding to the district for priorities such as education, roads, good housing and local businesses.

“This is my community. I’ve served here before,” she said in March. “I’m also a true fighter, and an advocate for a living. I know my community needs people like me to stand up.”