The challenge with running a state-wide judge campaign isn’t just name recognition.

It requires articulating the importance of the court in addition to why you’re the right person for the post.

McKean County attorney Stacy Wallace is running for a seat on the Commonwealth Court. She’s on the Republican ballot for this November’s General Election.

She’s got one other challenge to overcome – her election would make her only the second judge on any of the state’s three appellate courts to call a county north of I-80 home.

Wallace was in Warren on Thursday along with U.S. Senate hopeful Jeff Bartos.

Commonwealth Court is one of two intermediate level appellate courts (along with the Superior Court, which largely handles criminal appeals) between the county Court of Common Pleas and the state Supreme Court.

It handles cases where governmental entities are a party, including election law issues.

Wallace highlighted her experience for the role but also the judicial scarcity north of I-80. (Supreme Court Justice Sally Mundy from Tioga County is the only other).

“Our courts are not represented by rural America,” she said. “So when we talk about diversity, (that) includes geographic diversity.”

Wallace highlighted that she also is a small business owner, operating her law firm – Stacy Wallace Law, LLC in Bradford – as well as experience in municipal, banking, unemployment and workers compensation law.

“Part of the get out the vote message is the importance of the courts,” Wallace said. She said she’s running with Kevin Brobson seeking election to the Supreme Court, Megan Sullican running for Superior Court and with Drew Compton for Commonwealth Court.

She said “all of us believe” in “respect” for the Constitution, which lays out three distinct branches of government.

“We don’t need two legislative branches,” she said.