April 16, 2021
2021 Pennsylvania Primary Election
Pennsylvania’s municipal primary election will take place on May 18, 2021. Along with the primary election, there are four special elections to fill vacancies in the General Assembly. Those that win their special election will serve the remaining term of the former member.
• 22nd State Senate District (Lackawanna/Luzerne/Monroe) – Chris Chermak (R) will face Marty Flynn (D) to replace former Sen. John Blake (D);
• 48th State Senate District (Dauphin/Lebanon/York) – Chris Gebhard (R) will face Calvin Clements (D) to replace former Sen. Dave Arnold (R);
• 59th State House District (Somerset/Westmoreland) – Leslie Rossi (R) will face Mariah Fisher (D) to replace former Rep. Mike Reese (R); and
• 60th State House District (Armstrong/Butler/Indiana) – Abby Major (R) will face Frank Prazenica (D) to replace former Rep. Jeff Pyle (R).
There are also four ballot questions, including three proposed constitutional amendments, which will appear on the ballot.
Proposed Constitutional Amendment – Article III, Section 9
- Would provide a new exception to traditional legislative procedure by allowing the General Assembly to terminate or extend a disaster emergency declaration or a portion of such declaration without needing the Governor’s approval.
Proposed Constitutional Amendment – Article IV
- Would incorporate disaster emergency declaration and management powers directly into the Constitution by:
- Granting the Governor authority to declare a disaster emergency declaration by proclamation or executive order;
- Requiring each declaration to indicate the nature, location and type of disaster;
- Granting the General Assembly authority to pass laws providing for the manner in which each disaster shall be managed;
- Limiting the duration of a Governor’s declaration to 21 days, unless otherwise extended, in whole or in part, by a concurrent resolution of the General Assembly; and
- Preventing the Governor, upon the expiration of a declaration, from issuing a new declaration based upon the same or substantially similar facts, unless the General Assembly passes a concurrent resolution expressly approving a new declaration.
Proposed Constitutional Amendment – Article I
- Which would create a constitutional prohibition against restricting or denying an individual’s equal rights under Pennsylvania law because of race or ethnicity.
Statewide Referendum
- Would allow municipal fire departments or companies with paid personnel and emergency medical services companies to be eligible to apply for loans from the Fire and Emergency Medical Services Loan Program.
Lastly, here’s a look at the statewide judicial offices that have vacancies to fill and the individuals on the ballot for each.
Commonwealth Court
The Commonwealth Court was established in 1968 as one of two intermediate appellate courts in Pennsylvania. There are nine Commonwealth Court judges, each with a 10 year term. After serving for 10 years, judges can retain their seat by winning a statewide retention vote.
The Commonwealth Court, typically seated in panels of three, has jurisdiction over civil actions brought by or against the state. In addition, the Court hears appeals from state agency and Court of Common Pleas’ decisions.
Two judges are up for retention: Anne Covey (R) and Renee Cohn Jubelirer (R).
There are two vacancies: Mary Hannah Leavitt (R) and Drew Crompton (R).
Democratic Candidates
Lori Dumas
Education
• Duke University – Bachelor of Arts, Sociology (1989)
• North Carolina Central School of Law – Juris Doctor (1992)
Experience
• Lori A. Dumas & Associates (1992-1996)
• Clark & McGill (1996-1999)
• Both and Tucker – Of Counsel (2001)
• Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County Judge (2002-present)
Bar associations and professional societies
• Pennsylvania Bar Association
• Philadelphia Bar Association
• National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges
• Pennsylvania Conference of State Trial Judges
• National Association of Women Judges
Other organizations and affiliations
• Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
• American Mock Trial Association
• Peirce College Advisory Board
• The Mann – Board member
Amanda Green-Hawkins
Education
• Duke University – Bachelor’s Degree (1993)
• Northeastern University Law School – Juris Doctor (2001)
Experience
• Judge Lawrence Lawson, Superior Court of New Jersey – Law Clerk (2001-2002)
• United Steel Workers – Assistant General Counsel (2002-2010), Director of the Civil and Human Rights Department (2011-present)
Bar associations and professional societies
• AFL-CIO Lawyers Coordinating Committee
• American Bar Association
Other organizations and affiliations
• Democratic National Committee
• NAACP – Pittsburgh Chapter
• Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh
David Spurgeon
Education
• Duquesne University – Bachelor of Arts, Political Science and German (1993)
• Duquesne School of Law – Juris Doctor (1996)
Experience
• Gaydos, Gaydos and Associates – Associate (1996-1997)
• Payne Myers – Associate (1997-1998)
• Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office – Assistant District Attorney (1998-2009), Deputy District Attorney (2009-2016)
• Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas Judge (2016-present)
Bar associations and professional societies
• Allegheny County Bar Association
• National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges
• Pennsylvania Conference of State Trial Judges
Sierra Thomas Street
Education
• Howard University – Bachelor of Arts, Political Science and English (1995)
• Temple University Beasley School of Law (1999)
Experience
• Temple Law Education and Participation – Consultant (2000-2001)
• Juanita Kidd Stout Center for Criminal Justice – Law Clerk (2001-2002)
• Nattiel, Seay & Associates – Associate (2003-2007)
• Philadelphia Family Court – Hearing Officer (2004-2006)
• Defender Association of Philadelphia – Staff Attorney (2007-2011)
• Friends Rehabilitation Program, Inc. – Chief Counsel (2011-2013)
• Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County Judge (2014-present)
Bar associations and professional societies
• Temple American Inn of Court
Other organizations and affiliations
• Bright Hope Baptist Church Trustee
• NAACP Member-Pottstown Branch
• Temple Law Alumni Association
Republican Candidates
Drew Crompton
Education
• Dickinson College – Bachelor of Science (1990)
• Widener University School of Law – Juris Doctor (1993)
Experience
• Senate Republican Policy and Development Office – Staff Attorney (1993-1994)
• Senate President Pro Tempore Robert Jubelirer – Counsel (1994-2006)
• Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati – Counsel (2007-2009), Chief of Staff and Counsel (2009-2019)
• Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor Joe Scarnati – Chief of Staff and Counsel (2008-2011)
• Senate Republican Caucus – General Counsel (2015-2019)
• Commonwealth Court Judge (2020-present)
Bar associations and professional societies
• PA Bar Association
Stacy Wallace
Education
• University of Pittsburgh at Bradford – Bachelor of Arts (2001)
• Duquesne University School of Law – Juris Doctor (2004)
Experience
• Stacy Wallace Law
Bar associations and professional societies
• McKean County Bar Association
• Pennsylvania Bar Association
Superior Court
The Superior Court was established in 1895 as the first Pennsylvania statewide intermediate appellate court. Like the Commonwealth Court, cases are usually heard by a three judge panel. Appeals from the Court of Common Pleas and appeals involving children and family matters are brought before the Superior Court.
There are 15 Superior Court judges, each with a 10 year term. After serving for 10 years, judges can retain their seat by winning a statewide retention vote.
Two judges are up for retention: John Bender (R) and Mary Jane Bowes (R)
There is one vacancy: Susan Gantman (R)
Democratic Candidates
Jill Beck
Education
• George Washington University – Bachelor of Arts, Criminal Justice (2002)
• Duquesne University School of Law – Juris Doctor (2006)
Experience
• KidsVoice – Attorney (2006-2010)
• Judge Christine Donohue, Pennsylvania Superior Court – Law Clerk (2010-2015)
• Judge Christine Donohue, Pennsylvania Supreme Court – Law Clerk (2016-2019)
• Blank Rome – Attorney (2019-2020)
Bar associations and professional societies
• Allegheny County Bar Association
• Allegheny County Bar Foundation
• American Bar Association
• Pennsylvania Bar Association
Other organizations and affiliations
• Duquesne University School of Law Association
• Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition
Timika Lane
Education
• Howard University – Bachelor of Arts, History (1994)
• Rutgers-Camden Law School – Juris Doctor (2002)
Experience
• Honorable Renee Cardwell Hughes, Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County – Law Clerk (2002-2003)
• Law Offices of Michael Nix – Attorney (2003-2004)
• Defender Association of Philadelphia – Major Trial Attorney (2004-2009)
• State Senator Anthony Williams – Chief Counsel and Executive Director of the State Government Committee (2009-2014)
Bar associations and professional societies
• Barristers Association
• County Adult Probation and Parole Advisory Committee
• Pennsylvania Conference of State Trial Judges
• Philadelphia Bar Association
• Women Judges’ Initiative
Other organizations and affiliations
• Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority
• Howard University Alumni Association
• National Coalition of 100 Black Women
Bryan Neft
Education
• University of Pennsylvania – Bachelor of Arts, Political Science (1986)
• Boston University School of Law – Juris Doctor (1989)
Experience
• Parkinson, Wolf, Lazar & Leo – Associate (1989-1990)
• Lawrence, Zurawsky, Zittrain & Zittrain – Law Clerk (1990-1991)
• The Honorable William F. Cercone, Superior Court of Pennsylvania – Law Clerk (1991-1995)
• Frankovitch, Anetakis, Colantonio & Simon – Associate (1995-1999)
• Bower, Greer & Panzarella – Associate (1999-2000)
• Klett, Rooney, Lieber & Schorling – Associate (2000-2004)
• DKW Law Group – Associate (2004)
• Pietragallo, Gordon, Alfano, Bosick & Raspanti – Associate (2004-2006), Partner (2006-2017)
• Spilman, Thomas & Battle – Member (2017-present)
Bar associations and professional societies
• Allegheny County Bar Association
• American Bar Association
• Pennsylvania Bar Association
Other organizations and affiliations
• Rivers Club Board of Governors
• United Jewish Federation of Pittsburgh
Republican Candidate
Megan Sullivan
Education
• St. Joseph’s University – Bachelor of Arts (1993)
• Temple University Beasley School of Law – Juris Doctor (2001)
Experience
• Montgomery, McCracken, Walker & Roads – Associate (2001-2002)
• Chester County District Attorney’s Office – Assistant District Attorney (2002-2008), Supervisory District Attorney (2008-2012)
• West Chester University – General Legal Counsel (2012-2015)
• MacMain, Connell & Leinhauser – Associate (2015-2017)
• Office of the Attorney General – Deputy Attorney General, Civil Litigation (2017-2019), Deputy Attorney General, Criminal Division (2019-present)
Bar associations and professional societies
• Chester County Bar Association
Supreme Court
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court is the highest court in the Commonwealth and the oldest appellate court in the country. Its jurisdiction includes discretionary appeals from the Commonwealth and Superior Courts, direct appeals from lower court decisions and requests to intervene in a lower court’s proceeding. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court is comprised of seven justices.
One vacancy: Thomas Saylor (R)
Democratic Candidate
Maria McLaughlin
Education
• Pennsylvania State University – Bachelor of Specialized Studies, Public Policy (1988)
• Delaware Law School – Widener University – Juris Doctor (1992)
Experience
• Senate of Pennsylvania – Legal/research staff (1988-1989)
• Honorable Vincent A. Cirillo, Superior Court of Pennsylvania – Law Clerk (1991)
• Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office – Assistant District Attorney (1992-2003), Chief Assistant District Attorney (2003-2011), Director of Family Justice Center Initiative (2010-2011)
• Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County Judge (2012-2017)
• Superior Court of Pennsylvania Judge (2018-present)
Bar associations and professional societies
• Brehon Law Society
• Justinian Law Society of Philadelphia
• Pennsylvania Bar Association
• Philadelphia Bar Association
Other organizations/affiliations
• Delaware Law School – Widener University Alumni Board of Directors
Republican Candidates
Kevin Brobson
Education
• Lycoming College – Bachelor of Arts, Accounting and Economics (1992)
• Widener Commonwealth Law School – Juris Doctor (1995)
Experience
• Honorable James McGirr Kelly, U.S. District Court Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania – Judicial Clerk (1995-1996)
• Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney – Associate (1996-2003), Shareholder (2004-2010)
• Commonwealth Court Judge (2010-present)
Bar associations and professional societies
• Allegheny County Bar Association
• American Bar Association
• Dauphin County Bar Association
• Pennsylvania Bar Association
Other organizations/affiliations
• American Inns of Court, James S. Bowman Chapter
• Commonwealth Court Historical Society
• Legatus
• The Hill Society
Patricia McCullough
Education
• University of Pittsburgh – Bachelor of Arts (1978)
• University of Pittsburgh School of Law – Juris Doctor (1981)
Experience
• Honorable Samuel Rodgers, Washington County Court of Common Pleas – Law Clerk (1981-1983)
• University of Pittsburgh – Assistant General Counsel (1983-1991)
• Private practice (1991-2004, 2008-2009)
• Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Pittsburgh – Executive Director (2006-2007)
• Court Of Common Pleas of Allegheny County Judge (2005-2006)
• Commonwealth Court Judge (2010-present)
Bar associations and professional societies
• Allegheny County Bar Association
• Appellate Court Procedural Rules Committee
• Pennsylvania Bar Association
Other organizations/affiliations
• Immigrants Against Domestic Violence Task Force
• Pennsylvania Catholic Committee on Social Concerns
• Pennsylvania Health Concerns Committee
• United Way Strategic Planning Committee
Paula Patrick
Education
• Bennett College – Bachelor of Arts, Political Science (1990)
• Texas Southern University, Thurgood Marshall School of Law – Juris Doctor (1993)
Experience
• Law Office of Paula A. Patrick (1994-2003)
• Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County Judge (2003-present)
Bar associations and professional societies
• American Judges Association
• Association of Trial Lawyers of America
• Federalist Society
• Lawyers’ Club of Philadelphia
• National Bond Lawyers Association
• National Council of Juvenile & Family Court Judges
• National Crime Victim’s Bar Association
• Pennsylvania Conference of State Trial Judges
• Philadelphia Bar Association
Other organizations/affiliations
• Living Faith Church Worldwide
• St. Paul’s Baptist Church
• Women of Tomorrow Mentoring Program
• Women of Transformation Recovery Ministry