2021 Judicial Election Candidate and MDJ Candidate Information Available
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Judicial Candidate Information Available
April 12, 2021. Washington, PA. In its efforts to inform its members and the public about the qualifications of candidates for judge and magisterial district judge, the Washington County Bar Association is posting self-reported information from candidates to its website. Each candidate was asked to respond to a questionnaire developed by the Bar Association’s Court Relations Committee.
Questionnaire responses are posted as received at www.washcobar.org/news. Two candidates have filed for the position of judge of the Washington County Court of Common Pleas and eleven for magisterial district judge in four districts. The candidates on the ballot for Common Pleas judge for the May 18th primary election are Joyce Hatfield-Wise and Jesse Pettit.
In 2019, due to the large number of attorneys running for the position, the committee modified the judicial questionnaire so that information about magisterial district judge (MDJ) candidates also could be shared with the public. Magisterial district judge candidates are Kelly Stewart, Robert Bob Dulaney, and Patrick Puskarich for district 27-1-01 covering the City of Washington, North Franklin Township, and Gabby Heights; Ronald Tardivo and Curtis L. Thompson, 27-3-02, Beallsville, Bentleyville, Cokeburg, Deemston, Ellsworth, Kammerer, Marianna, North Bethlehem, Part of Eighty-Four, Scenery Hill, Somerset, West Bethlehem, and West Pike Run Township; Lou McQuillan and Kristin Clingerman, 27-3-06, Cecil, half of Imperial, Hickory, Lawrence, McDonald, Mount Pleasant, Muse, Robinson, Southview, Venice, Westland; and Jason J. Moore, Scott Bernett, Dan Stanek and John Bruner, 27-3-10, Amity, Amwell, Blaine, Buffalo Township, Claysville, Crothers, Donegal, Dunns Station, East Finley, Glyde, Green Hills, half of Avella, Hopewell, Independence, Lone Pine, Morris, Prosperity, South Franklin, Taylorstown, West Alexander, West Finley, and West Middletown.
Gary Gilman, who was elected in 2012 and currently serves as judge of the Court of Common Pleas, has filed his intention to stand for retention. The retention issue does not appear on the primary ballot, only on the Nov. 2 election ballot, when voters will be asked to “Retain” or “Do Not Retain” candidates. Committee activities, if any, for retention candidates are therefore scheduled closer to the Nov. 2 election.
The committee will conduct interviews of Common Pleas judicial candidates. If one candidate does not win both the Republican and Democrat ballots in the primary, the committee may choose to hold a public forum prior to the November 2 election. Per its usual practice, the committee will poll voting-eligible Bar Association members asking for a consideration of “highly recommended,” “recommended,” “not recommended,” or “not qualified” for each of the candidates for Common Pleas judge. The committee will count the ballots and release the results in early May.
Committee members are Chair Damon J. Faldowski, Frank Arcuri, Brett A. Clancy, Mary J. Drewitz, Josephine L. Johnson, Cary D. Jones, Lauren L. Mathews, Todd M. Pappasergi, Jennifer Schiavoni and Thomas A. Steele. In order to serve on the committee, each must agree to not actively campaign for, serve on the campaign committee for, or personally financially contribute to the campaign of any candidate seeking election in a contested race.
The last day to register to vote before the primary is May 3. Registration for the November 2 election begins May 19 and ends October 18. For the full election calendar, including dates for absentee ballots, go to http://www.co.washington.pa.us/129/Elections or contact the Washington County Elections Office at 724-225-6750.
Founded in 1892, the Washington County Bar Association strives to promote justice, professional excellence, and respect for the law; improve public understanding of the legal system; facilitate access to legal services; and serve the 460 lawyers and judges who are members of the association.
For those without access to the internet, a hardcopy of the responses to the questionnaires can be requested by calling the office of the Washington County Bar Association at 724-225-6710.