Yesterday was Municipal Election Day in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Although the state legislature wasn’t on the ballot, there were important municipal and judicial races that occurred throughout the state.
Supreme Court
The Supreme Court is the highest court in the Commonwealth and the oldest appellate court in the nation. Most often, but not exclusively, the seven-member court reviews: (1) requests for discretionary appeals from the Commonwealth Court and Superior Court; (2) direct appeals from a lower court’s decision; and (3) requests to intervene in a lower court’s proceedings.
The court is currently comprised of five Democrats and two Republicans. Three Democratic justices (Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty, and David Wecht) won a retention vote to serve another 10 years on the bench, each receiving 61% of the vote, solidifying the Democrats’ 5-2 majority.
Superior Court
The Superior Court is one of two statewide intermediate appellate courts. Cases are usually heard by panels of three but may also be heard en banc by nine judges. The 15-member court is responsible for: (1) appeals in criminal and most civil cases from the Courts of Common Pleas; and (2) appeals on matters involving children and families.
The court is currently comprised of eight Democrats and six Republicans, with one vacancy, due to former judge Daniel McCaffery (D) being elected to the state Supreme Court in 2023. Washington County Court of Common Pleas judge and former state representative Brandon Neuman (D) defeated Maria Battista (R), president of a consulting firm. Neuman received approximately 56% of the vote.
Also, Justice Alice Beck Dubow (D) won a retention vote, receiving 62% of the vote, to give the Democrats a 9-6 majority.
Commonwealth Court
The Commonwealth Court is the second statewide intermediate appellate court in the state. Cases are generally heard by panels of three judges but may also be heard by a single judge or by en banc panels of seven judges. The nine-member court is responsible for: (1) original civil actions brought by and against the Commonwealth; and (2) appeals from decisions made by state agencies and the Courts of Common Pleas.
The court is currently comprised of five Republicans and three Democrats, with one vacancy. The vacancy is due to former judge Ellen Ceisler (D) leaving the bench. Stella Tsai (D), a Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas judge, defeated Matt Wolford (R), a solo practitioner from Erie, Tsai received 56% of the vote.
Also, Justice Michael Wojcik (D) won a retention vote, receiving 62% of the vote, to give the Republicans a 5-4 majority.
Allegheny County
Corey O’Connor (D), who defeated incumbent Mayor Ed Gainey in the Democratic primary, defeated Tony Moreno (R). O’Connor received 87% of the vote.
Some of Mayor-elect O’Connor’s priorities include examining the city’s budget, streamlining permitting, and building affordable housing.
There were also County Council seats up from grabs on Tuesday:
- At-Large: Alex Rose (Labor) defeated Councilman Mike Embrescia (R).
- District 1: Kathleen Madona-Emmerling (D) defeated Mary Jo Wise (R) and will replace Councilman Jack Betkowski (D).
- District 3: Lissa Geiger Shulman (D) defeated W. Christopher Lochner (R) and will replace Councilwoman Anita Prizio (D).
- District 4: Councilman Patrick Catena, Jr. (D) defeated Bob Doddato (R).
- District 8: Councilwoman Michelle Naccarati-Chapkis (D) defeated Michael Dell (R).
- District 9: Aaron Adams (D) defeated Patrick Provins and will replace Councilman Robert Macey (D).
- District 12: Councilman Robert Palmosina (D) defeated Leonard Iorio (R).
- District 13: Councilman Jordan Botta (D) defeated Todd McCollum (R).
Philadelphia
District Attorney Larry Krasner (D), who received 72% of the vote, defeated Patrick Dugan (R). This will be Krasner’s third term in office.
Christy Brady (D), who received 86% of the vote, defeated Ari Patrinos (R) and serve as the City Controller. Brady will be responsible as the chief auditor of the City and the Philadelphia School District.
Notable Races
Three members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives won their election. Once sworn in to their new position, the Speaker of the House will schedule a Special Election for their replacement to serve out the remaining year of their term.
- HD-42: Dan Miller (D-Allegheny) – Judge of the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas.
- HD-22: Josh Siegel (D-Lehigh) – Lehigh County Executive.
- HD-193: Torren Ecker (R-Adams) – Judge of the Adams County Court of Common Pleas.
