The League of Women Voters of Centre County 2021 Voters Guide concludes with candidates for Centre County district attorney, magisterial district judge, Pennsylvania Justice of the Supreme Court and state Superior Court and Commonwealth Court judges.
The material in this guide was compiled by the candidates and the League of Women Voters of Centre County (LWVCC) with assistance from the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania. This material may not be altered or reprinted without the permission of the LWVCC. Each candidate’s reply has been printed as submitted by the candidate.
Candidates were invited to participate in the Vote411 online voter’s guide via email. All reasonable efforts were made to encourage candidates to participate. The candidates listed are those whose names appear on the ballot as of Sept. 2 when the ballot was approved by the Pennsylvania Department of State.
Candidates are listed according to their party and then alphabetically. Nothing in this guide should be construed as an endorsement or non-endorsement of any candidate, party or initiative by the League of Women Voters, The Centre County Gazette or StateCollege.com.
Previously:
College, Harris, Patton and Rush Townships
Ferguson Township Supervisors, State College Council and Mayor, SCASD School Board
Bellefonte Borough Council, Mayor and School Board
CENTRE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY
Candidates (choose 1):
Bernie Cantorna
Party Affiliation: Democratic
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities, and how will you address them?
A: If elected to office I will continue to serve and protect our community through the fair and ethical pursuit of justice. Our office will work hard to hold the guilty accountable, protect the innocent and preserve the dignity of victims and families. Our first priority is to aggressively prosecute crimes of violence including sexual violence, child abuse and domestic abuse. We work cooperatively with our partners in law-enforcement, CYS and the child access center to insure victims are protected. Although the core function of a DA’s office is prosecution, it is equally important that the underlying issues that bring someone to court are addressed so they do not reoffend. If elected to office I will continue to expand the behavioral health diversionary program, which diverts individuals away from the court system and into mental health treatment; implement a veterans treatment tract and increase alcohol and drug treatment options in lieu of prosecution.
MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT JUDGE 49-03-04
Candidates (choose 1):
Gregory Koehle
Party Affiliation: Demoractic/Republican
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities, and how will you address them?
A: Be fair and impartial. Serve the community. And work collaboratively with agencies and stakeholders. I will fulfill these priorities by drawing upon my experience, education, and community involvement. I will also bring the same level of professionalism and dedication as with my careers in law enforcement and higher education.
PENNSYLVANIA JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT – TEN-YEAR TERM
Description of office: The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania’s administrative powers and jurisdictional responsibilities are vested with the 7-member court by the Pennsylvania State Constitution and a collection of statutes known as the Judicial Code. The justice with the longest continuous service on the Supreme Court automatically becomes chief justice. Administratively, the courts within the Unified Judicial System are largely responsible for organizing their own staff and dockets; however, the Supreme Court has several committees and boards responsible for writing and enforcing rules for judges, attorneys and litigants to ensure an efficient and fair judicial review. Annually, the seven justices receive more than 3,000 requests for appellate review. Salary: $215,037.
Candidates (vote for 1):
Maria McLaughlin
Party Affiliation: Democratic
Q: What can you do, both on and off the bench, to ensure that all individuals have equal access to justice?
A: Along with being our highest appellate court, the Supreme Court overseas our statewide court system and legal community. As such we have the opportunity to set rules, educate the legal community and create special court programs dealing with human services issues like substance abuse & mental health challenges, veterans’ issues and initiatives focused on autism. All geared toward providing fair treatment and equal access for people with unique circumstances.
Kevin Brobson
Party Affiliation: Republican
Q: What can you do, both on and off the bench, to ensure that all individuals have equal access to justice?
A: I would work cooperatively with the governor and the legislature to increase funding for legal aid programs. While in private practice, I created a program in Dauphin County to expand pro bono opportunities for lawyers to provide services to nonprofit organizations. I would encourage county bar associations to think creatively about expanding pro bono service to small and minority-owned businesses and nonprofits. I want to ensure our courts have access to interpreters for parties with limited English proficiency. I would build upon the excellent work of Philadelphia Legal Assistance with respect to the representation of low-wage workers and the unemployed by engaging law schools and other legal aid associations throughout the state.
PENNSYLVANIA JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT – TEN-YEAR TERM
Description of office: The Superior Court is one of Pennsylvania’s two statewide intermediate appellate courts and reviews most of the civil and criminal cases that are appealed from the Courts of Common Pleas in the Commonwealth’s 67 counties. The Superior Court consists of 15 judges. The president judge is elected to a 5-year term by his/her colleagues. Generally, appeals are heard by panels of three judges sitting in Philadelphia, Harrisburg or Pittsburgh. The court often is the final arbiter of legal disputes. Salary: $202,898.
Candidates (choose 1):
Timika Lane
Party Affiliation: Democratic
Q: What can you do, both on and off the bench, to ensure that all individuals have equal access to justice?
A: As a sitting judge, I ensure everyone in my courtroom is treated with dignity and respect regardless of race, gender, creed, religion, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status. As a member of the Access to Justice Committee, we address this issue by looking at possible barriers and how to remove those barriers to ensure everyone has equal access. As co-chair of the Local Criminal Rules Committee we recommend the qualifications for court appointed attorneys to make sure that indigent people have capable legal representation. We ensure that the local criminal rules are fair and applied equally to all who come before our courts.
Megan Sullivan
Party Affiliation: Republican
Q: What can you do, both on and off the bench, to ensure that all individuals have equal access to justice?
A: I believe equal access to justice is essential to maintaining trust in our courts and our justice system’s legitimacy. I am committed to providing all individuals in my courtroom with equal access to justice by ensuring their voice is heard, their rights are protected and they are never subject to discrimination. I support efforts to enhance equal access to justice through legal aid programs that provide individuals with access to qualified attorneys. Providing interpreters for those individuals for whom English is a second language is also important. It is also important to give individuals with disabilities full access to the courtroom. Everyone that comes before a judge should fully understand their constitutional rights.
PENNSYLVANIA JUDGE OF THE COMMONWEALTH COURT – TEN-YEAR TERM
Description of office: The Commonwealth Court is one of Pennsylvania’s two statewide intermediate appellate courts. Its jurisdiction generally is limited to legal matters involving state and local government and regulatory agencies. Litigation typically focuses on subjects such as banking, insurance, utility regulation and laws affecting taxation, land use, elections, labor practices and workers compensation. The court also acts as a court of original jurisdiction, or a trial court, when lawsuits are filed by or against the commonwealth. The Commonwealth Court is made up of nine judges. The president judge is elected to a 5-year term by his/her colleagues. Generally, appeals are heard by panels of three judges sitting in Philadelphia, Harrisburg or Pittsburgh. Salary: $202,898.
Candidates (choose 2):
Lori A. Dumas
Party Affiliation: Democratic
Q: What can you do, both on and off the bench, to ensure that all individuals have equal access to justice?
A: As a judge, I must ensure that every person that comes before the court has the opportunity to be heard. I must rule according to the law without losing sight of the ultimate goal of dispensing justice. I must remove any obstacle which prevents equal access to justice by any means necessary. As a citizen, I can involve myself with organizations and in activities which seek to educate people about the court, its processes and procedures and to equip them with the knowledge and power to be able to use the legal system as an advocate for themselves and their interests.
David Lee Spurgeon
Party Affiliation: Democratic
Q: What can you do, both on and off the bench, to ensure that all individuals have equal access to justice?
A: As a judge, I use my position to promote systems change that ensure that all people have more accessibility to the courts. As a judicial fellow, I am using those resources to study the statistics over the year of the pandemic to understand whether the use of advanced technology communications increased participation in the court process. Often times, people with limited resources face additional obstacles inherent with our established court processes. Further, we can ensure that everyone in our community has equal access to the court regardless of how you look, who you love, the language you speak and your socio-economic status. Off the bench, judges should participate in the community as a stakeholder to promote the above matters.
Stacy Marie Wallace
Party Affiliation: Republican
Q: What can you do, both on and off the bench, to ensure that all individuals have equal access to justice?
A: Throughout my career, my purpose has been to always seek justice. I was first inspired to enter the legal field by a pamphlet for Northwestern Legal Services, a legal aid organization of which I now serve on the board of directors. I’ve worked tirelessly to ensure that our state’s most vulnerable individuals, including at-risk children and those with disabilities, have equal access to justice, and have done much of this work pro bono. If elected, I will continue to advocate for and engage with underserved communities. On the bench, I will be a steadfast defender of equal justice under the law in all matters and safeguard the rights of all citizens regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, religious affiliation or financial status.
Drew Crompton
Party Affiliation: Republican
Q: What can you do, both on and off the bench, to ensure that all individuals have equal access to justice?
A: As a sitting judge I have done all in my power to treat every person that comes before me with respect and fairness. Judges must ensure those with modest means have equal access to justice. We are all created equal but as judges we must insist that all are treated equally or justice is being unfairly denied. Filing fees and other court costs must be waived for those who cannot afford them. Also, quality lawyers must be available to low income individuals free of cost for civil and criminal matters. Further as judges we must ensure that no one perceives that race or wealth or political connections are weighed when a decision is rendered. High ethical standards are vital to instill confidence in the judiciary.
OFFICIAL JUDICIAL RETENTION
Retention is a nonpolitical method of reelecting Pennsylvania judges. It is intended to be politically neutral and does not require judges to engage in campaigning against other candidates. Retention is specifically designed to keep judges out of the political fray while at the same time holding them accountable to the voters based on their overall records and performance in office. The intent is to provide a fair and nonpartisan way for the public to judge its judges.
JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT RETENTION — ELECTION 1
Shall John T. Bender be retained for an additional term as Judge of the Superior Court of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania?
Yes – For the Measure
No – Against the Measure
JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT RETENTION — ELECTION 2
Shall Mary Jane Bowes be retained for an additional term as Judge of the Superior Court of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania?
Yes – For the Measure
No – Against the Measure
JUDGE OF THE COMMONWEALTH COURT RETENTION — ELECTION 1
Shall Anne Covey be retained for an additional term as Judge of Commonwealth Court of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania?
Yes – For the Measure
No – Against the Measure
JUDGE OF THE COMMONWEALTH COURT RETENTION — ELECTION 2
Shall Renee Cohn Jubelirer be retained for an additional term as Judge of Commonwealth Court of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania?
Yes – For the Measure
No – Against the Measure
