Tina Ayala Wins Republican Write-In Primary for PA House District 158

Will Face Incumbent Christina Sappey in November

In a testament to grassroots Republican organizing in southern Chester County, Tina Ayala has won the Republican write-in vote in the May 19, 2026 Pennsylvania Primary Election for Pennsylvania House District 158.

Ayala will now stand as the Republican candidate in the November 2026 General Election, where she will challenge eight-year, liberal incumbent Democrat Christina Sappey.

The victory is particularly significant because Ayala's name did not appear on the printed ballot. Republican voters in Kennett Square, Kennett Township, New Garden Township, and across District 158 had to proactively write her name in — a feat that required awareness, commitment, and enthusiasm that a typical primary contest does not demand.

A Candidate the Community Rallied Behind

The write-in effort was backed by the Chester County Republican Committee, which formally endorsed Ayala as the Republican candidate for the seat. The KSQ Area GOP — the Area 17 Republican Committee covering Kennett Square, Kennett Township, and New Garden Township — was among the local organizations that championed her candidacy and helped mobilize voters ahead of the primary.

Tina Ayala is not a career politician. She is a wife, mother, and experienced financial professional who brings real-world perspective to the issues facing District 158.

Born into a Hispanic, low-income family, Ayala knows firsthand what economic hardship looks like — and what it takes to overcome it. She was the first in her family to earn a college degree, and she paid off every dollar of her student loans while working two jobs. That life story isn't a campaign talking point; it is her lived experience, and it informs everything she stands for.

As a financial professional, Ayala works daily with tax returns, income statements, and balance sheets — giving her a practical, numbers-grounded understanding of how policy decisions in Harrisburg affect real families and small businesses throughout the district.

What Tina Ayala Stands For

Ayala is running on a platform rooted in the values that resonate deeply with District 158 residents: faith, family, hard work, personal responsibility, and community. Specifically, she is committed to:

• Economic growth — pro-business, low-tax policies that let families and entrepreneurs thrive

• Law and order — safe schools and communities where families can put down roots without fear

• Legal immigration — a secure border and a fair, lawful path for those who follow the rules

• Parental rights — keeping parents in charge of their children's education and upbringing

• Common sense governance — opposing radical social policies that don't reflect the values of District 158 families

These are values that cut across backgrounds. District 158 is home to one of the most vibrant and hardworking Hispanic communities in Chester County — families who came here, or whose parents came here, pursuing a better life, a fair shot, and the freedom to build something of their own. Tina Ayala's story is their story.

The Case Against Incumbent Christina Sappey

Democrat Christina Sappey has held the District 158 seat for eight years, but her voting record in Harrisburg tells a story that many constituents have never heard — until now.

Sappey's record includes votes in favor of allowing biological males to compete in women's sports; opposing parents having greater access to and oversight of their children's school curriculum; and, blocking efforts to add armed security personnel to protect students in schools. These are not positions that reflect the values of most families in the Kennett Square area, regardless of party affiliation.

District 158 deserves a state representative whose priorities actually align with the community she serves.

A Track Record of Competitive Campaigning

This will not be Tina Ayala's first race against Christina Sappey. In the 2024 General Election, Ayala ran a strong campaign in District 158, earning an impressive 42% of the vote — a result that demonstrated real and growing support for a conservative alternative in a competitive district.

With the momentum from Tuesday's write-in primary win, the organizational backing of the Chester County Republican Committee, and the energy of Area 17 Republicans who showed up on Primary Day to make their voices heard, Ayala enters the 2026 General Election in a stronger position than ever.

Looking Ahead to November

The General Election is on November 3, 2026. Between now and then, the Ayala campaign will be building its ground operation, engaging voters across the district, and making the case that District 158 is ready for a change in Harrisburg.

Republicans and independent voters who want to get involved — whether through volunteering, donating, or simply spreading the word — are encouraged to connect with the KSQ Area GOP.

Website: KSQAreaGOP.com Email: info@ksqareagop.com

This content is produced by the Area 17 Republican Committee of Chester County (KSQ Area GOP) and is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.