Tuesday is Election Day, and though it comes with little fanfare this year, there are still some important races to watch. In addition to county judicial elections, there are seats up for grabs on all of the statewide courts. Below is a primer on each of the candidates.

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.

There are two seats open in this year’s election. After being appointed by Gov. Wolf to fill vacancies on the bench in 2016, Judge Joseph Cosgrove’s and Judge Julia Hearthway’s terms expire this year. Here’s the skinny on each candidate:

Ellen Ceisler (D-Philadelphia)

  • Age – 59
  • Education
    • Montgomery County Community College; A.D.
    • Temple University; B.A.
    • Temple University School of Law; J.D.
  • Experience
    • Judge: Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas; 2008-present
    • Director: Philadelphia City Controller’s Office; 2006
    • Deputy Director & Director: Integrity & Accountability Office of the Philadelphia Police Department; 1997-2005
    • Independent Consultant: Philadelphia School District; 2005-2006
    • Special Advisor: Office of the Sherriff; 1992-1994
    • Associate: Zarwin & Baum; 1990-1992
    • Investigative Producer: WCAU-TV News; 1988-1990
    • Assistant District Attorney: Philadelphia Office of the District Attorney; 1986-1988

Christine Fizzano (R-Delaware)

  • Age – 47
  • Education
    • University of Arizona; B.A.
    • Widener University School of Law; J.D.
  • Experience
    • Judge: Delaware County Court of Common Pleas; 2012-present
    • Solicitor: Southern Delaware County Authority; 2003-2011
    • Assistant County Solicitor: Delaware County; 2002-2007
    • Partner: Rawle & Henderson; 2003-2006
    • Sole practitioner: Law Office of Christine Fizzano Cannon; 1996-2003, 2007-2011
    • Associate: Law Office of Vincent Mancini & Associates; 1994-1996

Paul Lalley (R-Allegheny)

  • Age – 46
  • Education
    • University of Pennsylvania; B.A.
    • Dickinson School of Law; J.D.
  • Experience
    • Attorney: Campbell Durrant Beatty Palombo & Miller; 2009-present
    • Attorney: Levin Legal Group; 2002-2009
    • Law clerk: Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Sandra Schultz Newman; 1997-2002

Irene McLaughlin (D-Allegheny)

  • Age – 54
  • Education
    • Nassau Community College; A.D.
    • University of Pennsylvania; B.S.
    • CUNY Law School at Queens College; J.D.
    • The McGregor School of Antioch University; M.A.
  • Experience
    • Sole practitioner; 2008-present
    • Community Economic Development Clinic; 2005-2008
    • Home Ownership Preservation Project; 2003-2005
    • Pittsburgh Municipal Court; 1993-2003
    • Executive Assistant: Office of City Councilman Jim Ferlo; 1990-1993
    • Associate: Begler, DeMarco and Ombres; 1988-1989
    • Health in the Workplace Clinic; 1987-1988

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.

There are four seats open in this year’s election: the interim appointments of Geoffrey Moulton, Lillian Ransom and Carl Solano will all expire at year’s end, and there is also one vacancy.

Your candidates for Superior Court are:

Emil Giordano (R-Northampton)

  • Age – 57
  • Education
    • Moravian College; B.A.
    • Villanova School of Law; J.D.
  • Experience
    • Judge: Northampton County Court of Common Pleas; 2004-present
    • Sole practitioner; 1988-2003
    • Partner: Piosa, Hixson, Giordano & Reilly; 1997-1999
    • Partner: Johson, Ashcraft & Giordano; 1993
    • Of counsel: Steckel & Stopp; 1989-1992
    • Associate: Holland, Taylor and Sorrentino; 1987-1988
    • Assistant District Attorney: Broome County; 1985-1987

Wade Kagarise (R-Blair)

  • Age – 44
  • Education
    • Indiana University of Pennsylvania; B.A.
    • Widener University School of Law; J.D.
  • Experience
    • Judge: Blair County Court of Common Pleas; 2014-present
    • Sole practitioner; 2001-2013
    • Chief Deputy District Attorney: Blair County; 2006-2013
    • Assistant District Attorney: Blair County; 1998-2006

Deborah Kunselman (D-Beaver)

  • Age – 49
  • Education
    • Pennsylvania State University; B.A.
    • University of Notre Dame School of Law; J.D.
  • Experience
    • Judge: Beaver County Court of Common Pleas; 2005-present
    • Associate and independent contractor: McMillen Urick Tocci Fouse & Jones; 1996-2005
    • Associate: Marcus & Shapira; 1994-1995
    • Associate: Babst Calland Clements & Zomnir; 1992-1994

Maria McLaughlin (D-Philadelphia)

  • Age – 50
  • Education
    • Pennsylvania State University; B.A.
    • Widener University School of Law; J.D.
  • Experience
    • Judge: Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas; 2012-present
    • Assistant District Attorney: Philadelphia County; 1992-2011

Geoffrey Moulton, Jr. (D-Montgomery)

  • Age – 58
  • Education
    • Amherst College; A.B.
    • Columbia University School of Law; J.D.
  • Experience
    • Deputy General Counsel: Governor’s Office of General Counsel; 2015-2016
    • Special Deputy Attorney General: Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General; 2013-2014
    • Associate Professor: Widener University School of Law; 1993-2001, 2005-2009 & 2011-2013
    • Deputy Special Inspector General and Chief of Staff: Office of Special Inspector General for Troubled Asset Relief Program; 2010-2011
    • Chief Counsel: U.S. Senator Edward Kaufman; 2009-2010
    • First Assistant U.S. Attorney: Eastern District of Pennsylvania; 2001-2005
    • Associate: Dechert, Price & Rhoads; 1992-1993
    • Associate: Kohn, Klein, Nast & Graf; 1990-1992
    • Assistant U.S. Attorney: Eastern District of Pennsylvania; 1986-1990

Mary Murray (R-Allegheny)

  • Age – 46
  • Education
    • Duquesne University; B.S./B.A.
    • Duquesne University; M.B.A.
    • Duquesne University; J.D.
  • Experience
    • Magisterial District Judge
    • Attorney: Witherel & Kovacik
    • Attorney: Land America
    • Law Clerk: Beaver County Court of Common Pleas
    • Associate: Dodaro, Kennedy & Cambest

Carolyn Nichols (D-Philadelphia)

  • Age – 62
  • Education
    • Temple University; B.A.
    • Temple University School of Law; J.D.
    • Eastern University; M.B.A.
  • Experience
    • Judge: Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas; 2012-present
    • General Counsel: Philadelphia Parking Authority; 1999-2005
    • Assistant legal counsel: Philadelphia Housing Development Corp; 1995-1996
    • Legislative assistant: Councilwoman Augusta Clark; 1994-1995
    • Assistant City Solicitor: City of Philadelphia; 1990-1994
    • Sole practitioner; 1996-1999 & 2008-2011

Craig Stedman (R-Lancaster)

  • Age – 52
  • Education
    • University of Delaware; B.A.
    • Penn State Dickinson School of Law; J.D.
  • Experience
    • District Attorney of Lancaster County; 2008-present
    • Office of the District Attorney of Lancaster County; 1991-2007

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.

There is one open seat in this year’s election due to the expiration of the interim appointment of Judge Sallie Updyke Mundy, who is now running to be elected to the Supreme Court for the first time.

You can read more about the candidates for that seat below:

Sallie Updyke Mundy (R-Tioga)

  • Age – 54
  • Education
    • Washington and Jefferson College; B.A.
    • University of Pittsburgh School of Law; J.D.
  • Experience
    • Judge: Superior Court of Pennsylvania; 2010-2016
    • Associate: McEldrew & Fullam; 1998-2009
    • Associate: Swartz, Campbell & Detweiler; 1996-1998
    • Associate: Law Office of Stephen Ryan; 1995-1996
    • Associate: McQuaide Blasko; 1988-1995

Dwayne Woodruff (D-Allegheny)

  • Age – 60
  • Education
    • University of Louisville; B.S.
    • Duquesne University School of Law; J.D.
  • Experience
    • Judge: Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas; 2005-present
    • Founding Partner: Woodruff Flaherty & Fardo; 1997-2005
    • Regional V.P.: Capital Asset Research Corp.; 1997-2005
    • Associate: Meyer Darragh Buckler Benek & Eck; 1989-1997

Come back to this blog on Wednesday morning to see who this year’s winners are.