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*CERTIFICATION NOTE* As of the publication date of this guide, the slate of candidates listed below is accurate based upon the Pennsylvania Department of State’s Bureau of Elections unofficial ballot. JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT JOB DESCRIPTION The Pennsylvania Supreme Court is the highest judicial authority in the Commonwealth. In addition to being the final court of appeals, it serves as administrator of the unified court system and is responsible for ensuring that all Pennsylvania courts perform their duties properly. The Court hears decisions of the Superior and Commonwealth Courts and in certain cases, including those involving the death penalty, from the Courts of Common Pleas. It may also assume jurisdiction over any case pending before a lower court that involves an issue of immediate public importance. There are seven Supreme Court justices, the Chief Justice being the one having the longest continuous service on the Court. Term: 10 years; Salary: $175,236.00; (Vote for not more than two.) Question: What does the phrase “’judicial independence’ mean to you? DEMOCRATIC
EDUCATION: 1979, Chatham College, B.A.; 1982, Pittsburgh University School of Law, J.D.; 2004, Virginia University School of Law, LL. M. OCCUPATION: Pennsylvania Superior Court Judge QUALIFICATIONS: 18 years as practicing Trial Attorney, Superior Court Judge for 7 years. Rated “Highly Recommended” by Allegheny County and PA Bar Associations ANSWER TO QUESTION: Judicial independence is a matter of personal courage and integrity. It is incumbent on judges to make a sincere effort to educate the public regarding the respective roles of each branch of government and the importance of protecting the judiciary from undue influence. I decide each case that comes before me on its own merits. I am committed to the Rule of Law and to the protections guaranteed by the United States and Pennsylvania Constitutions.
EDUCATION: 1977, LaSalle College, B.A.; 1989, Temple University School of Law, J.D. OCCUPATION: Pennsylvania Superior Court Judge QUALIFICATIONS: 39 years’ experience in the PA legal system; Decorated police officer; Attorney, trial & administrative judge (appt by Supreme Court); 39 years’ military service ANSWER TO QUESTION: The courage to assess the facts and apply the law free from political pressure or regard for popular sentiment. Unlike legislators, judges gain respect by proving they will decide each case with absolute impartiality, integrity and open-mindedness. To do this, judges must not fear retaliation from political entities or the media. If the public distinguishes the interpretive role of the judiciary from the law-making role of the legislature, judges will be free to perform their constitutionally-mandated role independently. REPUBLICAN
EDUCATION: 1971, Duquesne University, B.S.; 1974, Duquesne University Law School, J.D. OCCUPATION: Pennsylvania Superior Court Judge QUALIFICATIONS: 7 years as Superior Court Judge, Law Professor for 15 years and 9 years as a practicing attorney. ANSWER TO QUESTION: “Judicial independence” means that judges are able to perform their duties in a fair and impartial manner that comports with the requirements of the Constitutions of Pennsylvania and the United States, and the law. Citizens turn to the courts to resolve disputed issues and/or to vindicate their rights. Judges who are able to perform their duties in the described manner serve these needs of the citizens in a way contemplated by our Constitutions and the law. MIKE KRANCER, Bryn Mawr; D.O.B. 12/05/1957 EDUCATION: 1980, University of Virginia, B.A.; 1983, Washington and Lee University School of Law, J.D. summa cum laude OCCUPATION: Former Chief Judge & Chairman of the Environmental Hearing Board. QUALIFICATIONS: Practicing attorney for 17 years, judge for 7 years. Annual Community Leadership Award, various volunteer activities ANSWER TO QUESTION: 1) Making decisions based on the law and facts of the case independent of outside influence or consideration. 2) The courage to do what is right even if that course runs counter to the agenda(s) of the other branches of government. JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT JOB DESCRIPTION The Pennsylvania Superior Court is one of two intermediate appellate courts. It hears all criminal and civil appeals from the Courts of Common Pleas except for death penalty cases and those that are specifically assigned to the Commonwealth Court. The Court has fifteen judges, with the President Judge elected by the members. Judges of the Superior Court must be lawyers and must reside in Pennsylvania for at least a year before their election and for as long as they continue in office. Term: 10 years; Salary: $165,342.00; (Vote for not more than three.) Question: What does the phrase “’judicial independence’ mean to you? DEMOCRATIC
EDUCATION: 1974, East Stroudsburg State University, B.A.; 1980, Duquesne University School of Law, J.D. OCCUPATION: Lawyer QUALIFICATIONS: Highest possible recommendation for the Superior Court: Judicial; 26 years of trial & appellate courts experience ANSWER TO QUESTION: Judicial independence is the foundation of a fair and impartial judicial system and one of the pillars of our democracy. Decision-making must be free of any external influence (political, social or economic). If such influence could result in a decision that is based on anything other than an impartial review of the record and the fair application of the law, a Superior Court judge should recuse herself.
EDUCATION: 1976, Pennsylvania State, B.S.; 1981, Dickinson School of Law, J.D. OCCUPATION: Judge, Court of Common Pleas QUALIFICATIONS: Rated #1 in fairness and impartiality for last 8 years, overall 70 state and federal trial judges in county, by the Allegheny County Bar Association survey of nearly 8,000 practitioners; highly recommended by PA Bar Association ANSWER TO QUESTION: Judicial independence means judicial integrity. A judge with judicial integrity will base his or her decisions on the facts and law, and is much less likely to be influenced by outside forces. A judge can maintain independence by understanding the judge’s role in the framework of our government. The judge’s role is not to advance any particular partisan political agenda. The role is to apply the facts of the case to the applicable law, free from any influence.
EDUCATION: 1977, Boston University, B.S.; 1981, Howard University School of Law, J.D.; OCCUPATION: Judge, Court of Common Pleas QUALIFICATIONS: Common Pleas Trial Judge presiding over thousands of civil and criminal cases since 1996. 10 years of service at the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority Dep. Exec. Director and General Counsel. ANSWER TO QUESTION: It means that judges need the independence to fairly interpret the constitution and resolve disputes without political interference. Judges must have both decisional independence and institutional independence. Decisional independence means the freedom to issue decisions that may be constitutionally sound but politically unpopular. The judiciary must also have the institutional independence from the other branches of government to perform its function without concern that resources needed for operation will be withheld. REPUBLICAN
EDUCATION: 1969, Penn State University, B.S.; 1975, Pittsburgh University School of Law, J.D. OCCUPATION: Judge, Court of Common Pleas QUALIFICATIONS: 17 years as Judge of Allegheny County, 15 years as an attorney, 13 years as Assistant Solicitor, 3 years as an Elementary School Teacher. ANSWER TO QUESTION: Judicial independence is maintained when the judge holds fast and true to the oath taken upon induction –that oath being to uphold the constitutions of the United States and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. When a judge is committed to upholding the constitution and interpreting the law, thereby doing what is right, political expediency cannot enter into the picture.
EDUCATION: 1973, Penn State University, B.A.; 1976, University of Pennsylvania OCCUPATION: Judge, Court of Common Pleas QUALIFICATIONS: Penn State grad, 6 years as trial judge in all areas of litigation; Served his country in Vietnam; 25 years broad legal experience; 11 years as Solicitor to Dauphin County Controller; Served as Susquehanna Twp. Solicitor; Nominated to Court by Tom Ridge in 2001 ANSWER TO QUESTION: Judicial independence means the freedom of the judiciary to act as a truly co-equal branch of government. Decisions of a court must, to be legitimate, be free from any appearance of bias or outside influence whatsoever. Judges must decide cases based solely on the facts presented and must apply the law and constitutional provisions without influence of popular political or social winds of the day. They must remain true to their oath to do just that and, too, be watchful not to overstep their bounds; i.e. they must not invade the law-making and regulation functions of the other two branches.
EDUCATION: 1975, Temple University, B.S.N.; 1981, Virginia University, M.S.N.; 1990, Duke University School of Law, J.D. (high honors) OCCUPATION: Attorney with Thorp, Reed & Armstrong, LLP QUALIFICATIONS: Extensive experience in civil, administrative and criminal law, certified arbitrator and mediator, teaches appellate practice at Pitt Law School, “Recommended” by the PBA, longstanding community volunteer, former nurse and nurse educator. ANSWER TO QUESTION: Judicial independence means that a judge is obligated to faithfully and impartially apply the law, free from personal bias, financial or other personal interests, and outside influences. However, more must be required of our judges. They must avoid even the appearance of impropriety, which includes the appearance of lacking judicial independence. This means that a judge should limit contacts, affiliations, business dealings, and comments that would reasonably call into question his or her judicial independence. RETENTION ELECTION Judicial retention is a system of retaining judges for additional terms after they have been elected on a partisan, contested ballot. Previously elected incumbent candidates for justice or judge appear uncontested on the ballot. They are running for 10 year terms. JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT (Vote YES or NO) Shall Thomas G. Saylor be retained for an additional term as Justice of the Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania?
EDUCATION: 1969, University of Virginia, B.A.; 1972, Columbia Law School, J.D.; 2003, University of Virginia School of Law, LL. M OCCUPATION: Justice, Pennsylvania Supreme Court QUALIFICATIONS: 1973-1976, Assistant District Attorney, Somerset County; 1982-1983, Director, PA Bureau of Consumer Protection; 1984-1987 First Deputy; Attorney General; 1994-1997, Superior Court; 1998-present, Supreme Court ANSWER TO QUESTION: I believe that judicial independence means fair and impartial courts that preserve access to justice and the rule of law, maintain freedom from interference from politicians and special interests, and serve as an essential check and balance on power in our three-branch system of government. RETENTION ELECTION JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT (Vote YES or NO) Shall Joan Orie Melvin be retained for an additional term as Judge of the Superior Court of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania?
EDUCATION: 1978, University of Notre Dame, B.A.; 1981, Duquesne University School of Law, J.D. OCCUPATION: Judge, Superior Court of Pennsylvania QUALIFICATIONS: 1981 to 1985, private practice corporate counsel; 1985-1990,; Magistrate for the City of Pittsburgh Municipal Courts; served as Chief; Magistrate 1987-1990 and established PA’s first Domestic Violence; Court. 1990-1997, Judge on the Allegheny Co. Court of Common Pleas. ANSWER TO QUESTION: Judicial independence means that a judge decides issues fairly and impartially based solely upon the facts of each case and the applicable law. It permits judges to render decisions free of outside influences. (Vote YES or NO) Shall John L. Musmanno be retained for an additional term as Judge of the Superior Court of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania? JOHN L. MUSMANNO, Pittsburgh; D.O.B: 03/31/1942 EDUCATION: 1963, Washington & Jefferson College, B.A.; 1966, Vanderbilt University School of Law, J.D. OCCUPATION: Judge, Superior Court of Pennsylvania QUALIFICATIONS: 1982 to 1997, Judge, Court of Common Pleas, Allegheny Co, served in Criminal, Civil and Family Divisions; Administrative Judge, Civil Division; 2005-present: Member, Court of Judicial Discipline. ANSWER TO QUESTION: Judicial independence means that we have fair and impartial courts that protect the rights and liberties of our citizens based on the Constitution and the rule of law. Courts must decide cases based solely on those principles and free from political influence and the influence of special interest groups. (Vote YES or NO) Shall Correale Stevens be retained for an additional term as Judge of the Superior Court of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania?
EDUCATION: Penn State University, B.A.; Dickinson College School of Law, J.D. OCCUPATION: Judge, Superior Court of Pennsylvania QUALIFICATIONS: Member, PA House of Representatives (8 years); Luzerne County District Attorney (3 ½ years); Judge, Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas (7 years); Judge, Superior Court of Pennsylvania (10 years) ANSWER TO QUESTION: Being able to make a decision based on the law and the facts, fairly and impartially, without fear of retribution. RETENTION ELECTION JUDGE OF THE COMMONWEALTH COURT (Vote YES or NO) Shall Bonnie B. Leadbetter be retained for an additional term as Judge of the Commonwealth Court of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania?
EDUCATION: 1968, Rice University, B.A.; 1971, University of Pittsburgh School of Law, J.D. OCCUPATION: President Judge, Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania QUALIFICATIONS: PA Bar Association stated: “Judge Leadbetter is recognized for her high level of ; legal ability, sound judgment, courteous manner and appropriate judicial temperament.” “Her integrity and personal character are beyond reproach.”; 10 years state and federal prosecutor; 25 years private practice – business litigation; 11 years Judge of Commonwealth Court, now President Judge; 4 years Judge, Court of Judicial Discipline ANSWER TO QUESTION: Judicial independence means having the ability to decide cases in the public interest, with fairness to all parties and in accordance with the law, even when justice or our Constitution require decisions which are unpopular. It means we cannot be beholden to other branches of government, nor to powerful interest groups. It means having the willpower to turn the other cheek to unfair criticism, without losing the ability to keep an open mind. It means having the strength to do the right thing. (Vote YES or NO) Shall Bernard L. McGinley be retained for an additional term as Judge of the Commonwealth Court of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania?
EDUCATION: 1967, John Carroll University, B.A.;p 1970, University of Pittsburgh School of Law, J.D. OCCUPATION: Judge, Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania QUALIFICATIONS: Law Clerk – Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas, 1970; Assistant D.A. – Allegheny County, 1971-1975; Chair – Allegheny County Board of Viewers – 1975-1980; Judge – Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas – 1981-1988; Judge – Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania – 1988-present ANSWER TO QUESTION: Judicial independence means the judge is independent from the influences of the executive and legislative branches. This is institutional independence. Second, a judge must be able to determine cases based on the law and facts. The media, politics and undue influence must not sway a judge’s decision. This is decisional independence. The retention scheme facilitates both institutional and decisional independence. When a judge has followed the law and exhibited judicial independence, he deserves retention. (Vote YES or NO) Shall Doris A. Smith-Ribner be retained for an additional term as Judge of the Commonwealth Court of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania? DORIS A. SMITH-RIBNER, Philadelphia; D.O.B: EDUCATION: 1972, University of Pittsburgh School of Law, J.D. OCCUPATION: Judge, Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania QUALIFICATIONS: Practicing attorney in Allegheny County, PA for 14 years; Solicitor to the Allegheny Co. Controller for 5 years; Member/Chair of PA Supreme Court; Disciplinary Board Hearing Committee; Member of Board of Various; Corporation; Gubernatorial appointments to State Agency; and extensive community and professional activities. ANSWER TO QUESTION: Judicial independence is a doctrine or principle that is essential to preserving our rights, freedoms and privileges guaranteed by the Constitution. It commands the election or selection of judges who will render fair, impartial and honest decisions in cases based solely upon the facts and the law and made without regard to outside influences, including but not limited to political favoritism. It further commands that judges act independently of the other two branches of government and that they decide cases not to reach a particular result but rather to reach the right result. LOCAL CANDIDATES COUNTY COMMISSIONER 4 YEAR TERM; (Vote for not more than two); Salary: $51,749 Job Description: The "business manager" for the County. The corporate powers of the county are vested in this office. DEMOCRATIC
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SEAMUS P. MCCAFFERY,
Philadelphia; 
MAUREEN LALLY-GREEN,
Cranberry Twp.; 
CHRISTINE DONOHUE, Pittsburgh;
RON FOLINO, Pittsburgh;
JACQUELINE SHOGAN,
Murrysville; 
THOMAS G. SAYLOR, Camp Hill;
JOAN ORIE MELVIN, Pittsburgh;
CORREALE STEVENS, Drums;
BONNIE B. LEADBETTER,
Schwenksville; 
BERNARD L. MCGINLEY,
Pittsburgh; 
WILLIAM G. “BILL” CARPENTER,
Cornwall; D.O.B. 1946
LARRY STOHLER, Lebanon,
JOHN R. LISS, Myerstown,
D.O.B.: 1949
