November 4, 2015
Weekly Wrap:
One year from now Pennsylvanians will head to the polls to elect the next President of the United States. Yesterday some will say the stakes were just as high, as three new Supreme Court justices were elected to the bench. The seats previously held by Chief Justice Ronald Castille (R), Justice Seamus McCaffery (D) and Justice Correale Stevens (R) were filled by three Democrats. The election of David Wecht, Kevin Dougherty and Christine Donohue give the Democrats a commanding five seats on the seven-member court.
- David Wecht (D) – Allegheny 18.37%
- Kevin Dougherty (D) – Philadelphia 18.52%
- Christine Donohue (D) – Allegheny 18.17%
- Judy Olson (R) – Allegheny 15.20%
- Mike George (R) – Adams 13.64%
- Anne Covey (R) – Bucks 13.62%
- Paul Panepinto (I) – Philadelphia 2.47%
The race for a spot on the Pennsylvania Superior Court was also up for grabs due to the interim status of Judge Patricia Jenkins. The Democratic candidate Alice Beck Dubow continued the party’s success with a close victory over the Republican candidate Emil Giordano. As of now the Republicans hold a nine-seat to six-seat majority over the Democrats. However, Superior Court Judges Wecht and Donohue both will leave the bench to take their post on the Supreme Court. The two vacancies may be filed by appointments of Governor Wolf until the next election is held. These appointments are subject to Senate confirmation.
- Alice Beck Dubow (D) – Philadelphia 53.15%
- Emil Giordano (R) – Northampton 46.85%
The Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court election was the closest race of the night. Democratic candidate Michael Wojcik edged Republican Paul Lalley by about 70,000 votes. Retiring President Judge Dan Pellegrini’s (D) seat on the bench will be filled with a member of his own party. The Republicans still maintain a large majority, with seven of the nine judges on the Commonwealth Court.
- Michael Wojcik (D) – Allegheny 52.85%
- Paul Lalley (R) – Allegheny 47.15%
Although the judicial races dominated the headlines, there was a special election in western Pennsylvania for the 37th Senatorial District’s seat in the Pennsylvania Senate. The vacancy existed due to former Senator Matt Smith (D) leaving office in June to become the President of the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce. Republican Guy Reschenthaler emerged victorious, adding to the Senate Republicans majority. The Senate will now be comprised of 31 Republicans and 19 Democrats.
- Guy Reschenthaler (R) 55.11%
- Heather Arnet (D) 44.89%
Last but not least, outgoing Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter (D) will see a Democrat follow in his footsteps to become the 99th Mayor of Philadelphia. Former councilman Jim Kenney easily beat his challenger and will take office in the upcoming year.
- Jim Kenney (D) 85.37%
- Melissa Murray Bailey (R) 13.23%
An interesting development took place in Delaware County as State Sen. Dominic Pileggi (R) received 19.24% of the votes to become a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas. Pending his resignation, the Senate will determine the date for a special election in Senate District 9, a seat held by Pileggi since 2002.