Election 2021 voters guide: Here are the candidates for Pennsylvania judicial races
READ MORE
2021 election voters guide
The Pennsylvania general election is Nov. 2. Voters must be registered to vote by 5 p.m. Oct. 18 and apply for an absentee or mail-in ballot by 5 p.m. Oct. 26. This voters guide was compiled by the League of Women Voters of Centre County with assistance from the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania.
Expand All
Election 2021 voters guide: Candidates for council, supervisor races in Centre County
Election 2021 voters guide: Meet the candidates for school board in State College & Bellefonte
Election 2021 voters guide: Meet the candidates for council, mayor in State College & Bellefonte
Election 2021 voters guide: Centre County district attorney and district judge races
.jpg)
Election 2021 voters guide: Here are the candidates for Pennsylvania judicial races
State Judicial Races
Pennsylvania Justice of the Supreme Court
Description of office: The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania is the highest court in the commonwealth and the oldest appellate court in the nation. The Supreme Court’s administrative powers and jurisdictional responsibilities are vested with the seven-member court by the Pennsylvania Constitution and a collection of statutes known as the Judicial Code. The justice with the longest continuous service on the Supreme Court automatically becomes chief justice. Administratively, the courts within the Unified Judicial System are largely responsible for organizing their own staff and dockets; however, the Supreme Court has several committees and boards responsible for writing and enforcing rules for judges, attorneys and litigants to ensure an efficient and fair judicial review. Annually, the seven justices receive over 3,000 requests for appellate review.
Term: 10 years
Salary: $215,037
Vote for ONE.
Candidates
Maria McLaughlin
Party: Dem
County: Philadelphia
Occupation: Superior Court judge
Education: Penn State 1988. Delaware Law School at Widener University 1992
Qualifications: Current judge on our PA Superior Court; served six years as judge, Court of Common Pleas; chief and ADA, Philadelphia District Attorneys Office; rated Highly Recommended for the Supreme Court by the PBA
Campaign website: judgemclaughlin.com
Facebook: @Maria4PASC
Twitter: @McLaughlin4PASC
Q: What can you do, both on and off the bench, to ensure that all individuals have equal access to justice?
A: Along with being our highest appellate court, the Supreme Court oversees our statewide court system and legal community. As such we have the opportunity to set rules, educate the legal community and create special court programs dealing with human services issues like substance abuse & mental health challenges, veteran’s issues and initiatives focused on autism. All geared toward providing fair treatment and equal access for people with unique circumstances.
Q: What can you do, both on and off the bench, to ensure an equitable and fair court?
A: As a lawyer and a judge I have always worked to ensure everyone who comes into a courtroom has an opportunity to be heard and the law applied without bias. This is the cornerstone of our legal system. As a justice I will not waver from that driving principle. My work on the bench and in my life will always reflect my dedication to fairness and equality.
Kevin Brobson
Party: Rep
County: Dauphin
Occupation: President judge, Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court
Education: Widener Commonwealth Law School, summa cum laude (2nd in class), Managing Editor Law Review; Lycoming College (B.A., Accounting/Economics), magna cum laude
Qualifications: President judge of the Pa. Commonwealth Court; over 11 years as statewide appellate court judge (elected 2009, retained 2019); Pa. Judicial Conduct Board, 2015-19 (chair); 14 years’ private practice; former federal judicial clerk; “Highly Recommended” by Pa. Bar Association
Campaign website: brobsonforpa.com
Facebook: @KevinBrobsonforPA
Q: What can you do, both on and off the bench, to ensure that all individuals have equal access to justice?
A: I would work cooperatively with the governor and the legislature to increase funding for legal aid programs. While in private practice, I created a program in Dauphin County to expand pro bono opportunities for lawyers to provide services to nonprofit organizations. I would encourage county bar associations to think creatively about expanding pro bono service to small and minority-owned businesses and nonprofits. I want to ensure our courts have access to interpreters for parties with limited English proficiency. I would build upon the excellent work of Philadelphia Legal Assistance with respect to the representation of low-wage workers and the unemployed by engaging law schools and other legal aid associations throughout the state.
Q: What can you do, both on and off the bench, to ensure an equitable and fair court?
A: I believe I have earned a reputation as a fair and impartial arbiter of the law. I treat everyone who enters my courtroom, or has a matter before me, with equal respect and dignity. I strive to appreciate the perspectives and points of view of all parties. It is important to me that every litigant, represented and unrepresented, be given every opportunity, within the rules and the law, to present their case. Moreover, as a former chair of the Pa. Judicial Conduct Board, I am keenly aware of how important it is to Pennsylvanians that our judges observe the highest ethical standards on and off the bench. I hold myself to this high standard. All Pennsylvanians deserve to have faith in a fair and impartial judiciary.
Pennsylvania Judge of the Superior Court
Description of office: The Superior Court is one of Pennsylvania’s two statewide intermediate appellate courts. This court, established in 1895, reviews most of the civil and criminal cases that are appealed from the Courts of Common Pleas in the commonwealth’s 67 counties. The Superior Court consists of 15 judges. The president judge is elected to a five-year term by his/her colleagues. A large number of appeals flow to the Superior Court from the trial courts. Generally, appeals are heard by panels of three judges sitting in Philadelphia, Harrisburg or Pittsburgh. The court often is the final arbiter of legal disputes. Although the Supreme Court may grant a petition for review of a Superior Court decision, most petitions are denied, and the ruling of the Superior Court stands.
Term: 10 years
Salary: $202,898
Vote for ONE.
Candidates
Timika Lane
Party: Dem
County: Philadelphia
Occupation: Judge - Court of Common Pleas
Education: West Catholic High School and went on to graduate Howard University in Washington DC & received my law degree in 2002 from Rutgers University School of Law in NJ.
Qualifications: Major trials judge presiding over thousands of trials, authoring hundreds of opinions. I handle all human trafficking cases & many of the most serious criminal cases & Grand Jury matters. Certified Child Advocate & as former Executive Director of the Senate Government Committee advised on the constitutionality of legislation
Campaign website: judgelane.com
Facebook: @LaneforSuperiorCourt
Twitter: @JudgeTimikaLane
Q: What can you do, both on and off the bench, to ensure that all individuals have equal access to justice?
A: As a sitting judge, I ensure everyone in my courtroom is treated with dignity and respect regardless of race, gender, creed, religion, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status. As a member of the Access to Justice Committee, we address this issue by looking at possible barriers and how to remove those barriers to ensure everyone has equal access. As co-chair of the Local Criminal Rules Committee we recommend the qualifications for court appointed attorneys to make sure that indigent people have capable legal representation. We ensure that the local criminal rules are fair and applied equally to all who all who come before our courts.
Q: What can you do, both on and off the bench, to ensure an equitable and fair court?
A: The Superior Court is an error correcting court and often the last line of defense for the parties involved in a case. When reviewing an appeal It is vital the appellate judge have strong courtroom experience on both sides of the bench to best determine if the proceedings in the lower court were fair, all parties were heard and the law has been applied fairly regardless of race, creed, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or economic status. I will ensure equity and fairness in all cases before me, just as I do for all who appear in my current courtroom. Off the bench, I believe judges should be visible in the community. We are public servants and it is our duty to make sure the public understands how the court system functions.
Megan Sullivan
Party: Rep
County: Chester
Occupation: Attorney
Education: Temple University Beasley School of Law, Juris Doctorate (cum laude) Saint Joseph’s University (B.A.)
Qualifications: 20 years criminal and civil law experience. Deputy attorney general in PA Attorney General’s Office and supervisory district attorney, protected victims including the most vulnerable members of our society as a child abuse prosecutor. Assistant general counsel at West Chester University and civil litigator.
Campaign website: megsullivanforjudge.com
Facebook: @MeganforJudge
Q: What can you do, both on and off the bench, to ensure that all individuals have equal access to justice?
A: I believe equal access to justice is essential to maintaining trust in our courts and our justice system’s legitimacy. I am committed to providing all individuals in my courtroom with equal access to justice by ensuring their voice is heard, their rights are protected, and that they are never subject to discrimination. I support efforts to enhance equal access to justice through legal aid programs that provide individuals with access to qualified attorneys. Providing interpreters for those individuals for whom English is a second language is also important. It is also important to give individuals with disabilities full access to the courtroom. Everyone that comes before a judge should fully understand their constitutional rights.
Q: What can you do, both on and off the bench, to ensure an equitable and fair court?
A: I have a deep respect for our Constitution and our system of justice. I have spent a large part of my 20-year career as an attorney helping others to navigate both the criminal and civil judicial system. I respect the system but understand why some fear it. Individuals who serve in the role of a judge must recognize that they are the arbiter of the rules and the process. This is a great power that requires objectivity, an innate sense of fairness, and humility. I possess these traits and am committed to delivering to all citizens a justice system that shows respect and fairness, as well as knowledgeable decision-making that takes into account the parties’ perspectives and applies the law objectively.
Pennsylvania Judge of the Commonwealth Court
Description of office: The Commonwealth Court is one of Pennsylvania’s two statewide intermediate appellate courts. This court, established in 1968, is unlike any other state court in the nation. Its jurisdiction generally is limited to legal matters involving state and local government and regulatory agencies. Litigation typically focuses on subjects such as banking, insurance, utility regulation and laws affecting taxation, land use, elections, labor practices and workers’ compensation. The Commonwealth Court also acts as a court of original jurisdiction, or a trial court, when lawsuits are filed by or against the commonwealth. The Commonwealth Court is made up of nine judges. The president judge is elected to a five-year term by his/her colleagues. Generally, appeals are heard by panels of three judges sitting in Philadelphia, Harrisburg or Pittsburgh.
Term: 10 years
Salary: $202,898
Vote for not more than TWO.
Candidates
Lori A. Dumas
Party: Dem
County: Philadelphia
Occupation: Judge
Education: North Carolina Central School of Law; Duke University; executive certificates from Cornell University, (D&I); University of Pennsylvania, Fels Institute of Government
Qualifications: Trial court judge since 2002; jury and non-jury experience; presided in Family, Criminal and Civil Divisions; former corporate executive, nonprofit leader; adjunct professor; national leader in trauma informed courts; led the creation of victim centered juvenile human trafficking court in Philadelphia.
Campaign website: www.judgedumas2021.com
Facebook: @JudgeDumas
Twitter: @JudgeDumas
Q: What can you do, both on and off the bench, to ensure that all individuals have equal access to justice?
A: As a judge, I must ensure that every person that comes before the court has the opportunity to be heard. I must rule according to the law without losing sight of the ultimate goal of dispensing justice. I must remove any obstacle which prevents equal access to justice by any means necessary. As a citizen, I can involve myself with organizations and in activities which seek to educate people about the court, its processes and procedures and to equip them with the knowledge and power to to be able to use the legal system as an advocate for themselves and their interests.
Q: What can you do, both on and off the bench, to ensure an equitable and fair court?
A: Judges set the tone in their courtrooms. They must model fairness, civility, patience and impartiality and demand it from those in their presence. In my courtroom, every voice will be heard and my decisions will be rooted in the law and cloaked in compassion and the urgency to do what is right. I must conduct a daily heart check to ensure that I am not bringing any biases with me that may interfere with my ability to render impartial decisions. I must call out injustice when it occurs ... every time. In the community, I can educate others about their rights and the status of the law. I should regularly attend implicit bias trainings and require my staff to do the same, to ensure that fairness is not just a mantra but embedded in my core.
David Lee Spurgeon
Party: Dem
County: Allegheny
Occupation: Judge - Court of Common Pleas
Education: McKeesport Area Senior High, Duquesne University - B.A., Duquesne University School of Law - Juris Doctor
Qualifications: “Highly Recommended” by the Pennsylvania Bar Association; Endorsed by the PA Dem; Serving as a judge since 2016; Appointed by the governor and unanimously confirmed by the PA Senate; Adjunct Law Professor; National Judicial Fellow; Domestic Violence National Expert; former prosecutor family violence
Campaign website: judgespurgeon4commonwealth.com
Facebook: @judgedavidspurgeon4commonwealthcourt
Twitter: @DavidSpurgeon4J
Q: What can you do, both on and off the bench, to ensure that all individuals have equal access to justice?
A: As a judge, I use my position to promote systems change that ensure that all people have more accessibility to the courts. As a Judicial Fellow, I am using those resources to study the statistics over the year of the pandemic to understand whether the use of advanced technology communications increased participation in the court process. Often times, people with limited resources face additional obstacles inherent with our established court processes. Further, we can ensure that everyone in our community has equal access to the court regardless of how you look, who you love, the language you speak and your socio-economic status. Off the bench, judges should participate in the community as a stakeholder to promote the above matters.
Q: What can you do, both on and off the bench, to ensure an equitable and fair court?
A: Judges must continue to be active members of the community. In order to understand how the court is perceived, one must be accessible and engage in intentional dialogue to understand all the people that we serve. Judges must continue to be trained in explicit and implicit bias as it relates to all aspect of the existing court system, and be open to discussing and participating in the changes identified to make the courts more equitable and fair. I recently participated in a national panel to address the racial disparities that exist in the child welfare system. On the bench, we must continue to serve as a servant leader and hold ourselves as well as our colleagues accountable for inequities.
Stacy Marie Wallace
Party: Rep
County: McKean
Occupation: Attorney
Education: B.A. communications, University of Pittsburgh (‘01) J.D., Duquesne University School of Law (‘04)
Qualifications: Nearly 17 years’ experience & Owner of Stacy Wallace Law LLC Specially Appointed Family Law Master & SORNA Counsel Adjunct Professor, University of Pittsburgh-Bradford Clerkships: McKean County Court of Common Pleas, PA Superior Court Certified Mediator-Conflict Resolution McKean County Bar Assn., President
Campaign website: stacyforpa.com
Facebook: facebook.com/StacyforPA/
Q: What can you do, both on and off the bench, to ensure that all individuals have equal access to justice?
A: Throughout my career, my purpose has been to always seek justice. I was first inspired to enter the legal field by a pamphlet for Northwestern Legal Services, a legal aid organization of which I now serve on the board of directors. I’ve worked tirelessly to ensure that our state’s most vulnerable individuals, including at-risk children and those with disabilities, have equal access to justice, and have done much of this work pro bono. If elected, I will continue to advocate for and engage with underserved communities. On the bench, I will be a steadfast defender of equal justice under the law in all matters and safeguard the rights of all citizens regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, or financial status.
Q: What can you do, both on and off the bench, to ensure an equitable and fair court?
A: The makeup of the Commonwealth Court should be a true reflection of Pennsylvania and the broad perspectives and values of our residents. I will use my grassroots upbringing from McKean County, diverse experience, and values to guide informed and thoughtful opinions that produce equitable outcomes. Off the bench, I will continue to engage our citizens, lead by example in promoting inclusiveness of all people, and raise awareness of our judiciary’s role. Equitable courts start with having equitable judges who value equality, fairness and a desire to serve others. As just one example of how I’ve done that in my personal life, I co-founded “Blessing Boxes of Bradford” which serves as small sidewalk food pantries throughout my community.
Drew Crompton
Party: Rep
County: Cumberland
Occupation: Judge
Education: Phil-mont Christian Academy, Dickinson College, Widener School of Law
Qualifications: Currently a sitting judge on the Commonwealth Court. I have authored over 100 opinions. They are balanced, well-reasoned and thoughtful. I am recommended by the PA Bar. I also serve on the Supreme Court Appellate Rules Committee. I have extensive constitutional, statutory and regulatory experience.
Campaign website: judgecrompton.com
Facebook: facebook.com/judgecrompton
Q: What can you do, both on and off the bench, to ensure that all individuals have equal access to justice?
A: As a sitting judge I have done all in my power to treat every person that comes before me with respect and fairness. Judges must ensure those with modest means have equal access to justice. We are all created equal but as judges we must insist that all are treated equally or justice is being unfairly denied. Filing fees and other court costs must be waived for those who cannot afford them. Also, quality lawyers must be available to low income individuals free of cost for civil and criminal matters. Further as judges we must ensure that no one perceives that race or wealth or political connections are weighed when a decision is rendered. High ethical standards are vital to instill confidence in the judiciary.
Q: What can you do, both on and off the bench, to ensure an equitable and fair court?
A: Litigants must be convinced that the judge’s personal philosophy does not impede justice. I have also defended the powers of each branch of government since citizens want to be assured that the legislative, executive and judicial branches are not overstepping their constitutional boundaries. Further I try to be a judge that has common sense and treats every person with common decency. Judges must also remain connected to their communities and not be overly isolated. People have more confidence in the judiciary when they know judges care about our the same things in our commonwealth as they do. Judges must have a heightened sense of their words and actions in the courtroom. Both must be beyond reproach.
Judicial retention
According to www.pacourts.us, retention is a nonpolitical method of reelecting Pennsylvania judges. It is intended to be politically neutral and does not require judges to engage in campaigning against other candidates. Retention is specifically designed to keep judges out of the political fray while at the same time holding them accountable to the voters based on their overall records and performance in office. The intent is to provide a fair and nonpartisan way for the public to judge its judges. The names of the candidates are listed at the end of the ballot, apart from other offices. No political affiliation is listed for retention candidates.
PA Bar Association ratings and information for incumbent judges are available at www.pavotesmart.com/current-judicial-ratings.
JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT RETENTION ELECTION 1
Shall John T. Bender be retained for an additional term as Judge of the Superior Court of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania?
Yes - For the Measure
No - Against the Measure
JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT RETENTION ELECTION 2
Shall Mary Jane Bowes be retained for an additional term as Judge of the Superior Court of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania?
Yes - For the Measure
No - Against the Measure
JUDGE OF THE COMMONWEALTH COURT RETENTION ELECTION 1
Shall Anne Covey be retained for an additional term as Judge of Commonwealth Court of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania?
Yes - For the Measure
No - Against the Measure
JUDGE OF THE COMMONWEALTH COURT RETENTION ELECTION 2
Shall Renee Cohn Jubelirer be retained for an additional term as Judge of Commonwealth Court of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania?
Yes - For the Measure
No - Against the Measure