2019 Judicial Candidate Information - Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Judicial Candidate Information Available

 April 16, 2019. Washington, PA.  In its efforts to inform its members and the public about the qualifications of candidates for judicial election, 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. The questionnaire used this year and in the past for Court of Common Pleas candidates was modified by the committee for Magisterial District Judge candidates. “Becoming involved in the MDJ race was an unusual move for the committee,” said Committee Chair Frank Arcuri. “With four of the eleven candidates being Bar Association members, and there being so many vacancies up for grabs, the committee felt there would be a fair amount of interest.”

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 21st primary election are Joyce Hatfield-Wise and Traci McDonald Kemp. Magisterial District Judge candidates are Glenn Alterio, Charles E. Kurowski, Chuckie Tenny, and Jim Saieva for district 27-2-01 covering Canonsburg, Canton Township, Houston, Chartiers Township, and Meadowlands; Eric Porter and Suzanne M. Ruschak for district 27-1-03  covering Charleroi, North Charleroi, Allenport, Speers, Dunlevy, Roscoe, Twilight, Stockdale, Elco, and Fallowfield Township; Joshua P. Kanalis, who is running unopposed for district 27-3-03 covering California, West Brownsville, Coal Center, Daisytown, Smallwood, Granville, Blainsburg, Centerville, East Bethlehem, Richeyville, Vesta, Fredericktown, Ten Mile, Vestaburg, and Packrall’s Bay; and Jay Banaszak, Dawn R. Petrosky, Michael Manfredi, and Clark Mitchell, Jr. for district 27-3-05 covering Strabane, North Strabane, South Strabane, part of Eighty Four, Pancake, Laboratory, Manifold, and East Washington.  Alterio, Kurowski, Ruschak, and Mitchell are members of the Washington County Bar Association.

The committee’s guidelines do permit it, at its discretion, to consider jurisdiction over an appointment or election to the office of Magisterial District Judge in Washington County. Additional jurisdictions are the Court of Common Pleas of Washington County, Commonwealth Court, Superior Court, and the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, as well as the U. S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, U. S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, and Supreme Court of the United States While its guidelines allow the committee to conduct interviews of candidates and organize a public forum for candidates, it will not do either for either race at this time. Per its usual practice, the committee will poll voting-eligible Bar Association members asking each to “highly recommend,” “recommend,” or “not recommend” the candidates for Common Pleas judge. The committee will count the ballots and release the results on May 7. As an entity, the Bar Association does not endorse or recommend candidates.

Committee members are Chair Frank Arcuri, Blane A. Black, Brett A. Clancy, Mary J. Drewitz, former Common Pleas Judge Damon J. Faldowski, Joseph H. Fox, Cary D. Jones, Mary Drake Korsmeyer, Jessica S. Roberts, and Harry A. Stiffler Jr. Committee members were appointed by current Bar Association President Frank C. Roney Jr., and are either past Presidents of the Bar Association or are or have been senior members of the Board of Directors. 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 April 22. Registration for the November 5 election begins May 14 and ends October 7. 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.

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For reference:

MDJ District 27-2-01

Candidates: Glenn Alterio*, Charles E. Kurowski*, Chuckie Tenny, Jim Saieva

Areas covered: Canonsburg, Canton Township, Houston, Chartiers Township, Meadowlands

 

MDJ District 27-1-03

Candidates: Eric Porter, Suzanne M. Ruschak*

Areas covered: Charleroi, North Charleroi, Allenport, Speers, Dunlevy, Roscoe, Twilight, Stockdale, Elco, Fallowfield Township

 

MDJ District 27-3-03

Candidate: Joshua P. Kanalis (unopposed)

Areas covered: California, West Brownsville, Coal Center, Daisytown, Smllwood, Granville, Blainsburg, Centerville, East Bethlehem, Richeyville, Vesta, Fredericktown, Ten Mile, Vestaburg, Packrall’s Bay

 

MDJ District 27-3-05

Candidates: Jay Banaszak, Dawn R. Petrosky, Michael Manfredi, Clark Mitchell, Jr.*

Areas covered: Strabane, North Strabane, South Strabane, part of Eighty-Four, Pancake, Laboratory, Manifold, East Washington

 

*indicates practicing attorneys who are members of the Washington County Bar Association