font-size: 16px; margin: 0; The Pennsylvania Bar Association rated McLaughlin highly recommended, its top designation. in accounting and economics from Lycoming College in 1992 and a J.D. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 4/4/2023), Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 7/1/2023). from the Widener University School of Law in 1995. overflow-x: auto; Law360 (May 14, 2021, 5:38 PM EDT) -- Four candidates are vying for one open seat on the Superior Court of Pennsylvania, three Democrats who will first face off in a May 18 primary and a. She won the primary, beating Beck, but lost by 7 points to Republican challenger Megan Sullivan. padding-bottom: 5px; Sign up today! He ordered the board to throw out 204 provisional ballots those that are cast when a persons registration cannot be immediately verified it wanted to count. text-align: left !important; Journalism that gets results for Pennsylvania. Brobson received 52% of the vote in the Republican primary, defeating Patricia McCullough and Paula A. Patrick. Pennsylvania's two intermediate appellate courts have the power to affirm or reverse decisions made in lower courts. Jill Beck, a Pittsburgh-based attorney, announced her candidacy for the Pennsylvania Superior Court. As of March 23, the Pennsylvania Bar Association had not assigned Battista a rating. All rights reserved (About Us). .votebox-scroll-container { Tom Wolfs administration and the Republican-controlled legislature, including the states handling of the pandemic, how it runs elections, and more. Spotlight PA is funded by foundationsand readers like you who are committed to accountability journalism that gets results. max-height: 580px; After a judge's first term, he or she must run in a retention election to serve subsequent terms. The Pennsylvania Bar Association rated Brobson highly recommended. .race_header.green { Unless there are unexpected vacancies, 2025 is the first year that the partisan balance of the court can change from a Democratic to a Republican majority. 2023 Spotlight PA. This section shows advertisements released in this race. Christopher Baxter The two intermediate appellate courts serve distinct roles in the commonwealths legal system. Four candidates are running for two open spots on Commonwealth Court: Democrats David Spurgeon, of Allegheny County, and Lori Dumas, of Philadelphia, and Republicans Drew Crompton, of Cumberland County, and Stacy Wallace, of McKean County. Counties including Montgomery and Philadelphia were still counting mail ballots. These rulings have made the court a target among some Republicans, who want appellate judges to run in district elections, rather than statewide ones. .non_result_row { We have no billionaire owner or shareholders to consider. Harrisburg, Pa. In May, Democrats and Republicans will choose their parties candidates for three vacant seats on Commonwealth and Superior Courts. .results_table_container { Tom Wolfs wife dropped off his mail ballot, violating state election law, A full guide to Pennsylvanias 2021 Supreme Court election and other appellate judicial races. A primary election took place on May 18, 2021. [15], Debra Todd was retained in the Pennsylvania Supreme Court (Todd Seat) election with 70.83 percent of the vote. Kevin Brobson defeated Maria McLaughlin in the general election for Pennsylvania Supreme Court on November 2, 2021. in accounting and economics from Lycoming College in 1992 and a J.D. .results_row td:first-child { height: 100%; I hope you appreciated this article. The union PAC is a top McLaughlin donor. } max-width: 600px; Ratings from the Pennsylvania Bar Association can be similarly important. She is recommended by the Pennsylvania Bar Association. [15], Incumbent Sallie Mundy (R) defeated Dwayne D. Woodruff (D) in the general election for Mundy's seat on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.[15]. The Pennsylvania Bar Association rated Wolf as recommended, saying that his writing is clear and concise, and noting that he has a history of public service. Previously, he worked for the Harrisburg law firm Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney. background-color: #db0000; PS: If you prefer to mail a check, you can send it to: Spotlight PA Who's running? This site is powered by Netlify. She also spent several years as legal counsel for Democratic state Sen. Anthony Williams before being elected to the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas in 2013. Kent M. Wilhelm/Spotlight PA HARRISBURG In May, Democrats and Republicans will choose their parties' candidates for three vacant seats on Commonwealth and Superior courts. Spotlight PA The Pennsylvania Judicial Center, located in Harrisburg, is the home of the Commonwealth Court. The president judge of the court is selected through a vote by members of the Superior Court and serves a five-year term. Of the courts seven justices, five are Democrats and two are Republicans. The trial court hears appeals for civil, criminal, and family matters. } letter-spacing: .04em; In the past few years, these higher courts have been asked to settle major disputes between Democratic Gov. Brobson earned a B.A. Prior to his term, Spurgeon worked as a prosecutor in Allegheny County. Their rulings can be appealed to the state Supreme Court, Pennsylvanias court of last resort. First in her family to attend college, Maria worked hard to earn [] Pa. already uses a more secure system. .votebox-results-cell--number { She is endorsed by the state Republican Party. Separately, the justices are widely expected to hear any legal challenges arising from the states efforts to redraw congressional and state legislative districts. Kevin Brobson defeated Patricia McCullough and Paula A. Patrick in the Republican primary for Pennsylvania Supreme Court on May 18, 2021. Before that, she served as a judge in Philadelphias family court and as an assistant district attorney. font-size: 2em; Chief Justice Max Baer, a Democrat, will turn 75 at the end of 2022 and face mandatory retirement. The 15-member Superior Court handles all nongovernment-related criminal and civil cases. vertical-align: middle; padding-bottom: 7px; Tech: Matt Latourelle Ryan Burch Kirsten Corrao Beth Dellea Travis Eden Tate Kamish Margaret Kearney Eric Lotto Joseph Sanchez. The Pennsylvania Bar Association rated Sullivan recommended. Our journalism is produced to serve the public interest not profit motives. PS: If you prefer to mail a check, you can send it to: Spotlight PA Sign up for our free newsletters. Pennsylvania's two intermediate appellate courts have the power to affirm or reverse decisions made in lower courts. Kunselman was a civil litigator for 13 years before becoming a judge, including serving eight years as Beaver Countys chief solicitor. --progress-bar: #f0a236; width: 350px; Notable recent decisions include a 2019 opinion tossing out rapper Meek Millss conviction on drug and gun charges. As a Common Pleas judge, Spurgeon hears family law cases. McLaughlin ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. There are no incumbents in this race. .non_result_row div { Central Pa Institute Of Science & Technology School District, Keystone Central Career And Technical Center, Northumberland County Career And Technical Center, Sun Area Technical Institute School District, Pa. primary election 2023: A complete guide to the candidates for Commonwealth and Superior Courts, Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PA and Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PA, 321 Pine Street Suite 220,Williamsport,PA, Sale of Lycoming Mall finalized; Famvest unveils plans to redevelop, Where are the Totally Ninja Raccoons? } In his PBA questionnaire, he noted that his clients included many women involved in pregnancy discrimination, hostile work environment, and sexual harassment cases. BY Jen Devor Oct. 19, 2021 She also was a prosecutor in Franklin and Venango Counties, and was a contract specialist for the Department of Defense. Before you move on, I was hoping you would consider supporting Spotlight PAs journalism. Megan Sullivan, a former Pennsylvania deputy attorney general, was projected to defeat Democrat Timika Lane for a spot on Superior Court, which handles civil and criminal appeals. .votebox { from, "JustTheFacts" - Brobson campaign ad, released September 21, 2021, "Stick" - Brobson campaign ad, released September 21, 2021, "Truth" - McLaughlin campaign ad, released October 25, 2021, "A Mother Knows Best" - McLaughlin campaign ad, released October 25, 2021, "No Training Needed" - McLaughlin campaign ad, released October 19, 2021, "Town to Town" - McLaughlin campaign ad, released October 12, 2021, "No Projector Effect" - McLaughlin campaign ad, released September 24, 2021, "Words of My Father" - McLaughlin campaign ad, released December 10, 2020, "D15s Alt Version" - McLaughlin campaign ad, released September 24, 2021, "D15s First Version" - McLaughlin campaign ad, released September 24, 2021, "Pennsylvania Appellate Courts Candidates' Forum 2021" -, "Pennsylvania statewide judicial candidate forum" - Armstrong Neighborhood Channel, released August 30, 2021, City council officials account for nearly half of all recalls YTD - more details in Ballotpedia's Midyear Recall Report, Mayoral election in Anchorage, Alaska (2021), Mayoral election in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (May 18, 2021 Democratic primary), Newark Public Schools, New Jersey, elections (2021). Harrisburg, PA 17108-1728. padding-left: 0; The 15-member Superior Court is the appeals court for all other private and criminal disputes in Pennsylvania. Some Republican lawmakers are pushing a proposal to create regional districts for these judges, a change that would require the approval of the voters. background-color: green; Supreme court judicial candidates may run on party tickets. There was an error processing your request. Dugan attended law school between two stints in the U.S. Army first as an enlisted airborne infantryman in the 1980s and then as a civil affairs noncommissioned officer in Iraq and a judge advocate officer in Afghanistan. Because of the tight margin, an automatic recount was ordered. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. .results_text { color:white; height: 22px; width: 100% !important; Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? As such, it is usually asked to rule on low profile cases, though it sometimes makes news. From giant corporations to predatory hedge funds, a small number of billionaire owners have a powerful hold on so much of the information that reaches the public about whats happening here. Read his answers to the PBA questionnaire here. A separate part of the ballot is designated for these elections, and judges' names appear without respect to party affiliation. Personal LinkedIn Harry Smail Jr. is a judge of the Westmoreland County Court of Common Pleas in Pennsylvania. Lebanon who works in commercial litigation. She will face the GOP primary winner on Nov. 2. READ MORE: Powerful special interests are pouring millions into the 2021 Pa. Supreme Court race. He served as secretary and chairman of the state Judicial Conduct Board from 2015 to 2019. } Sign Up to be eligible for our weekly Giveaways! Pa. Senate GOP moves to collect private voter information in controversial review of 2020 election. Pa. already uses a more secure system. Brobson and McLaughlin participated in a Statewide Judicial Candidates Forum for elections for Supreme, Superior, and Commonwealth Courts presented by the Crawford County Bar Association. } font-size: 1.25em; .race_header { background: #4c4c4c; There is one seat open on Superior Court because Republican Judge Susan Gantman is retiring. Before you move on, I was hoping you would consider supporting Spotlight PAs journalism. The Superior Court has two openings to be filled in the 2023 cycle. The judicial conduct board or an individual may initiate a complaint. McLaughlin in fact joined a majority opinion that sent the case back to a trial court after the defendant hadnt been adequately advised before entering his plea. Before being appointed to the court by Gov. As a district attorney, McLaughlin worked in the child support enforcement division, prosecuting delinquent payments, and later became the chief assistant district attorney supervising the unit. everyone deserves a fair shot in the eyes of the law NO Everyone deserves equal treatment in the eyes of the law. Judges serve initial 10-year terms, then face a retention vote, which usually succeeds. = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. .electionsectionheading { Especially in tighter economic times, people should not be forced to choose between the essentials, and essential news. That does not include an additional $447,000 in independent expenditures made on his behalf by groups that are not permitted under the law to coordinate directly with a candidate. left: 0px; David Lee Spurgeon, Democrat: Spurgeon has served as an Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas judge since 2016. overflow-y: hidden; Kunselman earned a bachelors degree from Penn State and a law degree from Notre Dame. Prince is not recommended by the state bar association, which found that he lacks the depth and breadth of experience and preparation necessary to take on the commanding role of judge on the Commonwealth Court.. Ive dedicated my entire career to the pursuit of justice in Pennsylvanias trial and appellate courts, she said in a campaign-opening video. Before joining the chamber, she served as a staffer and then an attorney for former GOP Govs. Get a weekly list of events happening in North Central Pa.! As a Common Pleas judge, she has heard family, criminal, and civil cases. He solely raised as much money sitting on a bar stool in their condo as all their special interests groups combined., When asked if the statement represented a concession, Dee said it was what we currently plan to say.. (Unaffiliated and third-party voters can, however, vote on ballot questions, other referendums, and special elections during a primary. As a Commonwealth Court judge, Crompton has heard workers compensation and unemployment cases as well as zoning, election, and other governmental disputes. Judges serve initial 10-year terms, then face a nonpartisan retention vote, which usually succeeds. The earliest such a question could appear on the ballot is 2023. The Pennsylvania Bar Association rated Neft as recommended, writing that peers viewed him as hard working, honest and committed to equal justice, fairness and impartiality in the judicial system.. In a statement Wednesday, a spokesperson for McLaughlin said the Superior Court judge was proud to have run an ethical campaign, stayed true to herself and her oath., The spokesperson, Celeste Dee, added: Who the Republican Party didnt beat was [McLaughlins] husband, powerbroker Jonathan Saidel. Attorney Stacy Wallace won a seat on Commonwealth Court, the venue for suits involving state agencies. Here's your update! In recent years, it threw out Pennsylvanias gerrymandered congressional map, upheld Gov. Recently, she has handled estate planning and trust administration. That year, Smail ruled against the Westmoreland County Board of Elections in a case brought by a Republican candidate for state Senate in an extremely close race. Whats. Neft served as a committee member for the Mt. .results_row.winner { .percentage_number { max-width: 75px; width: 100%; Join thousands of your friends and neighbors by stepping up and letting us know you value quality, nonpartisan journalism that gets results for Pennsylvania. Beck clerked for state Supreme Court Justice Christine Donohue from 2016 to 2019, and for Donohue on Superior Court from 2010 to 2015. Drew Crompton, Republican: Crompton currently serves on Commonwealth Court as an appointee. Efforts to send a question about making that change to voters are on hold for now, but advocates expect the issue to resurface. And dont miss this recording of Spotlight PAs live event on Oct. 21 for even more information on why these races matter. Previously, Kunselman was the first woman elected to the Beaver County Court of Common Pleas, where she served for 12 years. Pennsylvania judges must retire at the end of the calendar year in which they reach 75 years of age. Less than a week before Election Day, Brobsons campaign revised an attack ad that the state bar association said violated its standards for accuracy and integrity in campaign advertising. Our journalism is produced to serve the public interest not profit motives. Superior Court rules on criminal and civil appeals from the lower Courts of Common Pleas, and it does not have discretion in the cases it chooses making it the busiest of the three appellate courts. Beck is a Pittsburgh-based attorney who works in commercial litigation. }, Satellite spending, commonly referred to as outside spending, describes political spending not controlled by candidates or their campaigns; that is, any political expenditures made by groups or individuals that are not directly affiliated with a candidate. The chart below details contributions and expenditures for candidates in this race. Pennsylvanians will choose the people presiding over courts from city to state this year. Mark Scolforo of the Associated Press wrote in July: "The result wont shift power on the high court, currently with a 5-2 Democratic majority, but in a state where the two parties have for decades been locked into a perpetual death match over political control, it will surely draw considerable money and the most statewide attention."[3]. position: absolute; .race_footer { She then spent a year working primarily in private practice family law before taking a job as an assistant public defender in Philadelphia from 2004 to 2009. padding-bottom: 8px; In that case, Brobson said partisan considerations played a role in drawing the map, but that a degree of partisanship is acceptable in the redistricting process. Its shocking she would so clearly admit to her activism goals. Sign up for PA Post and get a free daily email with This includes spending by political party committees, super PACs, trade associations, and 501(c)(4) nonprofit groups.[5][6][7]. Lori Dumas, Democrat: Dumas has served as a Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas judge since 2002. .image-candidate-thumbnail-wrapper .image-candidate-thumbnail { He served as secretary and chairman of the state Judicial Conduct Board from 2015 to 2019. Tom Wolf, WATCH: A panel on how Pa. wants to spend its $1B opioid settlement, Everything you need to prepare for Pa.s 2023 election, Determining if someone is mentally fit for trial in Pa. often traps them in the place making them worse jail, by Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PA and Brittany Hailer of The Pittsburgh Institute for Nonprofit Journalism, How anxiety came to dominate the big business of medical marijuana cards in Pennsylvania, Penn State presidents special adviser accuses students of spreading misinformation, by Wyatt Massey of Spotlight PA State College, Thousands of Pa. homeowners feel stuck in a high-stakes game of telephone with their homes, vital utilities on the line, Court battle over Pa. GOPs subpoena of sensitive voter data centers on legislative power vs. privacy, What we know about the firm hired by the GOP to review Pennsylvanias 2020 election, by Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PA and Andrew Seidman of The Philadelphia Inquirer, Recount triggered for open Commonwealth Court seat, with Democrat Lori Dumas leading, Pa. Gov. Unofficial election results Friday showed Brobson, currently a Commonwealth Court judge, with 51% of the vote. } The winners will compete in the November general election. Trump Lands Endorsements From Five PA House Members, Lifeline Scholarships: What Are They? If you are aware of polls conducted in this race, please email us. Those 204 provisional ballots were cast by people who were wrongly told by election workers that they also needed to sign their precincts pollbook. Tom Wolf, Crompton served as chief of staff and counsel to former state Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R., Jefferson). Brobson, with significant financial support from the state Republican Party, brought in more than $470,000 between Oct. 19 and 29, campaign filings show. She is the president of the McKean County Bar Association. Read Lanes answers to the PBA questionnaire here. She is highly recommended by the state bar, highly. } The court currently has five judges who were elected as Republicans and three elected as Democrats. The Supreme Court seat offers a 10-year term. External Relations: Moira Delaney Hannah Nelson Caroline Presnell The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. Who's Running for Judge in PA? float: left; He is president judge. if(document.getElementsByClassName("reference").length==0) if(document.getElementById('Footnotes')!==null) document.getElementById('Footnotes').parentNode.style.display = 'none'; .courts-container { background-color:#fcfcfc; width:100%; border:1px solid black;padding:5px;text-align:center;clear:both; } After 2021, the next scheduled election for a seat on the court was in 2023, as current chief justice Max Baer (D) reached the mandatory retirement age of 75 that year. Candidate: Judge Patrick Dugan Court: Superior Party: Democrat Pennsylvania Bar Association Rating: Not rated The following has been edited lightly for length and style. plus a daily puzzle. Smail ruled that the board of elections did not conduct due diligence in accepting those 204 votes without further substantiating evidence that they hadnt voted twice. 100% of your contribution to NorthcentralPa.com goes directly to helping us cover news and events in the region. } from Widener University School of Law in 1992. Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, Judge Kevin Brobson, Supreme Court, "Home," accessed September 21, 2021, AP News, "Pennsylvania court vacancies allow voters to shape judiciary," July 31, 2021, The Meadville Tribune, "State judicial candidates talk qualifications," August 30, 2021, ''The United Judicial System of Pennsylvania'', "President Judge P. Kevin Brobson," accessed March 19, 2021, Judge Maria McLaughlin, Meet Maria, accessed March 17, 2021, North East Democrats, "Maria McLaughlin," accessed July 18, 2013, "The Clear Choice" Brobson for PA Supreme Court, accessed October 26, 2021, Pennsylvania Supreme Court elections, 2017, Pennsylvania Supreme Court elections, 2015, Intermediate appellate court elections by state, Ken Carbullido, Vice President of Election Product and Technology Strategy, Michelle Robinson, Senior Product Manager, Education & School Boards, https://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php?title=Pennsylvania_Supreme_Court_elections,_2021&oldid=9136343, Pages using DynamicPageList3 parser function, Pages using DynamicPageList3 dplreplace parser function, Conflicts in school board elections, 2021-2022, Environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) policy, Special Congressional elections (2023-2024), 2022 Congressional Competitiveness Report, State Executive Competitiveness Report, 2022, State Legislative Competitiveness Report, 2022, Partisanship in 2022 United States local elections. Low near 55F. McLaughlin said she had the most breadth of experience of any Supreme Court candidate, including having served as an assistant district attorney, Common Pleas judge, and Superior Court judge. Click here to contact our editorial staff, and click here to report an error. Spotlight PA has reported that labor unions, lawyers, and a political committee with ties to a billionaire advocate for school choice were among the top donors to the two candidates. Read her answers to the PBA questionnaire here. By browsing this site, we may share your information with our social media partners in accordance with our, More Local Journalism to Love - $1 for 3 months Expires 6/30/23, Candidates announce bids to fill Pa. Supreme Court vacancy in 2023. In 2010, Dugan co-founded Philadelphias Veterans Court, which handles cases in which current or former military members are charged with nonviolent misdemeanors. Brobson said he had more appellate experience than other state supreme court justices did when they joined the court. } .mw-content-ltr td.votebox-results-cell--text, We work hard to deliver timely, relevant news, for free. --title-background: #334aab; Prior to her time as a judge, she served as general counsel to Wordsworth Academy, a residential school for young people with behavioral needs. --view-more-background: #f0a236; In the lead-up to this years election, Brobson and McLaughlin raised $6.1 million much of that in the waning weeks of the race. Pennsylvania Supreme Court Chief Justice Max Baer's judicial service ended on September 30, 2022, upon his death. Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts Channel, released September 22, 2021. Beck has also worked at KidsVoice, a nonprofit agency that advocates for children in the child welfare system in Allegheny Countys Juvenile Court. .election_results_text { If you are aware of spending that should be included, please email us. Before becoming a lawyer, Lane worked for four years as a public school teacher, then attended law school and spent a year clerking for Judge Rene Cardwell Hughes in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. } } Her experience includes serving as a Pennsylvania Superior Court judge, a Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas judge, and working in the Philadelphia District Attorneys Office. Christopher Baxter Brobson also authored a majority opinion in 2019 that expanded the ability of gun owners and others, including people outside the state, to challenge firearms restrictions in Pennsylvania cities with, often stricter, local laws. Pennsylvania Supreme Court justices run in partisan elections for 10-year terms. Carolyn Tornetta Carluccio, CANDIDATE Commonwealth COURT (Vote One) Attorney Megan Martin, CANDIDATE Superior Court (Vote Two) Maria Battista, CANDIDATE. Wolf is a judge on the Philadelphia Municipal Court, where he has served since 2018. The filing deadline was March 7, 2023. They also cant make promises that theyll rule in certain ways. The ad added additional context to its claim that McLaughlin voided the guilty plea of a drunk driver who admitted to killing a pregnant woman. Read Wolfs answers to the PBA questionnaire here. It doesnt matter who you are, what you look like, how you pray, who you love, or how much money you make, everyone deserves a fair shot in the eyes of the law. Judges serve initial 10-year terms, then face a retention vote, which usually succeeds. .mw-body #mw-content-text th.votebox-results-cell--text { Update, Nov. 5: As of 4:30 p.m. Friday, Commonwealth Court Judge Drew Crompton, a Republican, led Democrat Lori Dumas by just 1,085 votes, unofficial state results show. Commonwealth Court is, like Superior Court, an intermediate appellate court, but it exclusively handles legal matters involving government entities. With the attorney generals office, she investigates and prosecutes insurance fraud. All judges who preside over the court are veterans. 228 Walnut St., #11728 December 1, 2022 5:00 PM Jill Beck, a Pittsburgh-based attorney, announced her candidacy for the Pennsylvania Superior Court. morning, plus a daily puzzle. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. plus a daily puzzle. Prior to that, Lane served as a trial attorney with the Defender Association of Philadelphia, a pro-bono defense firm.
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