PRESS RELEASE: District Attorney Candidate Beth Stefanide Verbally Accosted & Threatened By Sitting Democrat DA Jack Stollsteimer At Bar Association Event

Delaware County, PA - Frank Agovino, Chairman of the Delaware County GOP, issued the following statement:

“At this evening’s Delaware County Bar Association Judicial Retention event, Democrat DA Jack Stollsteimer verbally accosted our candidate for District Attorney, Beth Stefanide, threatening her ominously while screaming ‘just you wait’ while forcing his finger in her face.

An attorney who works in the DA’s office witnessed the encounter and went to try and deescalate DA Stollsteimer. Afterwards, he apologized for DA Stollsteimer’s highly inappropriate and unprofessional behavior. The incident began when Ms. Stefanide attempted to shake DA Stollsteimer’s hand.

This bullying, misogynistic, and threatening behavior is inappropriate for anyone, let alone the chief law enforcement officer of our county. Ms. Stefanide has shown nothing but civility on the campaign trail and in all of her interactions with DA Stollsteimer. As an accomplished woman trying to make her voice heard as a candidate for public office, she deserves better.

If DA Stollsteimer should be upset about anything, he should be upset about the 25%+ increase in crime that has occurred on his watch, not Ms. Stefanide for drawing attention to it. If DA Stollsteimer should be angry at anyone, it should be himself, for the many ways in which he has allowed Delaware County families to become less safe than when he first took office.

Beth, a mother of three and an accomplished attorney, carries herself on the campaign trail as she does in every other facet of her life – with integrity. It is clear that DA Stollsteimer does not. Public officials must be level-headed and composed. This interaction is an indication that Jack is unable to live up to that standard.

Beth and the Delaware County Republican Party demand an immediate personal and public apology by DA Jack Stollsteimer.”

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