Yesterday was Primary 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:
- Requests for discretionary appeals from the Commonwealth Court and Superior Court;
- Direct appeals from a lower court’s decision; and
- Requests to intervene in a lower court’s proceedings.
The court is currently comprised of five Democrats and two Republicans. Since there are no vacancies, there were no candidates in yesterday’s primary election. Three Democratic justices (Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty, and David Wecht) face a retention vote in the November General Election.
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:
- Appeals in criminal and most civil cases from the Courts of Common Pleas; and
- Appeals on matters involving children and families.
The court is currently comprised of eight Democrats and 6 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 ran in the Democratic primary with no opponent. He will face Maria Battista, president of a consulting firm, who won the Republican primary.
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:
- Original civil actions brought by and against the Commonwealth; and
- 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, will face Matt Wolford (R), a solo practitioner from Erie, in the general election. Wolford faced a primary opponent while Tsai was unopposed.
Allegheny County
Corey O’Connor defeated incumbent Mayor Ed Gainey in the Democratic primary. O’Connor, who currently serves as Allegheny County Controller and previously was a city councilman, will face Tony Moreno (R) in the general election. With a Republican not serving as Mayor since 1934, O’Connor is destined to become the city’s next Mayor.
During his victory speech, O’Connor stated his top priorities as Mayor include hiring a new police chief, growing the city’s residential population and business sector, investing in its aging fleet, and convincing nonprofits to provide payments in lieu of taxes.
In other races, two County Council seats faced contested primary elections.
District 1’s Democratic primary was won by Kathleen Madonna-Emmerling, who will face Mary Jo Wise, who was unopposed in the Republican primary, in the general election. The seat is currently held by Jack Betkowski (D), who decided not to run for reelection. Madonna-Emmerling said that if elected she would focus issues such as stormwater management, human services, and public transportation.
In District 9, Aaron Adams won the Democratic primary to replace Bob Macey (D), who did not run for reelection. There are no Republicans on the ballot. Adams will become the city’s youngest person elected to Council in the city’s history.
Three proposed amendments to the Pittsburgh Home Rule Charter were on the ballot, each of which passed and will become law of the city. A summary of each can be found below:
- Should the city prohibit business discrimination on the basis of protected classes, plus association or affiliation with any nation or foreign state?
- Should the sale and/or lease of the city’s water and sewer system be prohibited?
- Should it be prohibited to use the Home Rule Charter amendment process to add duties or obligations beyond the lawful scope of the city’s authority?
Philadelphia
District Attorney Larry Krasner (D) faced a challenge from former Municipal Court Judge Patrick Dugan. Krasner easily won the Democratic primary. With no Republican filed to run, Krasner has all but assured himself a third term after the November election.
Christy Brady (D), the City Controller was also on the ballot but faced no primary challenger. She will go up against Ari Patrinos (R) in the general election. The City Controller serves as the chief auditor of the city and the Philadelphia School District.
Voters also considered three proposed changes to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter. Each ballot question, already approved by City Council, received a majority vote and will now become law. A summary of each can be found below:
- Should there be an Office of Homeless Services Ombudsperson created to assist residents experiencing homelessness, provide access to essential resources, improve the shelter system, investigate client complaints, and provide oversight and recommendations to the City’s providers of homeless services?
- Should there be an increase the minimum amount that must be appropriated for spending on the Housing Trust Fund?
- Should an independent Philadelphia Prison Community Oversight Board and Office of Prison Oversight be established?
