Stella Tsai
Democrat | Pennsylvania
Candidate Profile
Activist
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Stella Tsai
Party
Democrat
Election Year
2025
Election
PA General School Boards, Judicial & Municipal Races
Race
Commonwealth Court
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Candidate did not provide
WORK & MILITARY
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AFFILIATIONS
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POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
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POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
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ENDORSEMENTS
LIBERAL (3)
Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania State Education Association PSEA PACE; Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania Advocates
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)
John Taylor (2012)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (17)
American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (2025); Democrat Women Organizations (2025); Democratic National Committee (2025); LGBTQ Groups (2025); Local, County, and District Democratic Organizations (2025)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (7)
American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (2025); Kennedy Democrats (2025); National Education Association (national, state & local affiliates) (2025); Nikil Saval (2025); United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America (2025)
OTHER INFORMATION
Member, First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, 2013–2016 and 2018–2021 (Candidate Questionnaire)
She served as a panelist on Pathway to the Bench & Diversity: Judicial Election vs. Merit Selection (PBA Minorities in the Profession Conference), was moderator and course planner for Confronting Bias: Bending the Arc of the Criminal Justice System Toward Justice, a continuing education program for judges on racial bias in the justice system, and received the Outstanding Board Member award from Choice/Women’s Way.(Candidate Questionnaire)
In an interview for Gender Equity on the Bench, Judge Tsai said she works ethically within the judicial system, tries to make it easier for people to understand, and admires the late Justice Ginsburg's for her fair and thoughtful way of judging.
Judge Stella Tsai wrote “The Crucible: COVID-19 Compels Innovation in Our Courts” about how Philadelphia courts quickly adapted to COVID-19 by using masks, plexiglass barriers, and virtual hearings to keep cases moving fairly and safely. She expressed hope that, “post-COVID-19, the courts will adopt some of the key innovations developed during the pandemic and continue our push to find new ways to help ensure the fair administration of justice.” (PennLaw 2021)
In Living the American Dream: Look to Jurors for Inspiration, Judge Tsai wrote that juries show democratic values and stressed the importance of diversity, fairness, and following the facts, urging society to treat everyone as party of American and protect everyone's right.
Tredyffrin Township Democrats described Tsai, stating, "Her approach to judging centers on empathy, transparency, and a belief that every Pennsylvanian deserves dignity in the courtroom. Electing Judge Tsai will ensure that the Commonwealth Court reflects the values of justice, equity, and experience." (ttdems.com)
In Re: Canvassing Observation (2020).Judge Tsai authored the opinion. The Court denied the Trump campaign's request for closer inspection fo ballot canvassing, finding the Board fo Elections met legal requirements by allowing observers to watch from a distance while protecting voter privacy and safety.
For a more detailed summary, see case summary.
In re: Rodweller (2018). Judge Tsai authored the opinion. The Court said Pennsylvania's DUI warnings were valid, drivers don't have a constitutional right to a lawyer or to refuse a blood test, and refusal evidence can be used, but each case must be looked at carefully.
For a more detailed summary, see case summary.
In re: Singletary (2019). Judge Tsai authored the opinion. The Court ruled that Singletary could not serve on Philadelphia City Counsil because his federal conviction for lying to the FBI were "infamous crimes," removing his name from the ballot.
For a more detailed summary, see case summary.
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Was Dobbs v. Jackson rightly decided according to the text of the Constitution? Please explain.
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I support a right to accelerate ending a human life.
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Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.
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RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States.
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2ND AMENDMENT
The right to bear arms is fundamental and must be protected.
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OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
Which branch of government do you believe was intended to wield the most authority?
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How should the court address public health and individual freedoms in the time of a public health emergency?
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JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
Which current or past U.S. Supreme Court justice best reflects your judicial philosophy?
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Is there a separation of church and state in the Constitution? Please explain.
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Should courts address threats to religious liberty in the United States? If so, how?
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Was Obergefell v. Hodges rightly decided according to the text of the Constitution? Please explain.
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Was Bostock v. Clayton County rightly decided under the law? Please explain.
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I agree that “the custody, care and nurture of the child reside first in the parents, whose primary function and freedom include preparation for obligations the state can neither supply nor hinder.” (Troxel v. Granville, 530 U.S. 57, 65-66 (2000); quoting Prince v. Massachusetts, 321 U.S. 158, 166 (1944).
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What should a judge do when legislative texts and court precedents dictate different results?
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When should a judge overturn past court decisions?
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When, if ever, should a judge take popular opinion or the social views of the majority into consideration?
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Do you believe the meaning of the Constitution changes over time, absent changes through the amendment process of Article V?
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What do you believe is the single most important quality a judge should possess?
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If you are an incumbent judge, describe a recent instance in which you acted to preserve your judicial independence. If you are an aspiring judge, how do you plan to remain independent if elected to the bench?
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ABOUT YOU
What, if any, church or organizations do you belong to?
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I voted in these primaries and general elections:
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Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
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Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
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Would you describe your judicial philosophy as originalist, living constitutionalist, or something else? Please explain.
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VALUES
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
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What is your view of parental rights regarding the upbringing of children, specifically education and sexual "identity"?
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I support "gender identity" as a specially protected class. Please explain.
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What do you believe to be true about the human condition?
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EQUALITY
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT).
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