2023 Retention Poll Results, MDJ Questionnaires

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Bar Association Judicial Poll Results Announced

Retention of Judge Valarie Costanzo and Judge Michael Lucas

October 12, 2023. Washington, PA. In a recent poll, members of the Washington County Bar Association voted overwhelmingly to retain Judge Valarie Costanzo and Judge Michael Lucas. The Washington County Bar Association (WCBA) members were asked to consider in their decision each judge’s integrity, legal ability, diligence, and judicial temperament.

WCBA is an organization of lawyers who practice law in Washington County. Only members who primarily work or live in Washington County were eligible to vote. WCBA and its Court Relations Committee organize the poll of members as a public service for voters heading to the polls on November 7. Ricci Getty, WCBA president, said in a recent letter to the editor, “WCBA members have practiced before these judges, and their perspective should be valuable to the public.”

Regarding the results of the poll, “the Bar Association takes seriously its responsibility to ensure that qualified incumbent judges are retained,” said Getty. “With a 95% retention vote for Judge Lucas and 86% for Judge Costanzo, we are confident in recommending their retention,” she added. Ballots were mailed to 294 eligible voting members, with 146 ballots returned.

The judges are on the ballot for the Washington County Court of Common Pleas, 27th Judicial District of Pennsylvania. Retention elections are non-partisan, uncontested yes-or-no votes. If the retention candidate receives more yes votes than no votes, then the judge is retained for another 10-year term. Costanzo and Lucas were elected on both the Republican and Democratic ballots in 2013 and this will be their first retention election.

In addition, WCBA has posted on its website, www.washcobar.org, questionnaires completed by Magisterial District Judge candidates, including Christina Fox Grasso and Phillippe A. Melograne, who are running against each other for the magisterial district covering Peters Township and surrounding areas. Gary Havelka and Mark Wilson, who are running unopposed in their magisterial districts, did not respond to an email to participate.

Members of the Bar Association’s Court Relations Committee are attorneys Frank Arcuri, Brett A, Clancy, Mary J. Drewitz, Judge Damon J. Faldowski, L. Dawn Haber, MariAnn Hathaway, Josephine L. Johnson, Cary D. Jones, Mary D. Korsmeyer, David S. Posner, Chairperson Frank C. Roney Jr., Jennifer Schiavoni, Stephanie M. Sewak, and Thomas A. Steele.

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