Latest News from State Capitol and 55th District

March 13, 2025

Everything You Need to Know About How We Elect Judges

Many of our friends and neighbors are still a little burned out from the last election cycle.

Presidential elections always seem to draw heavier attention than any other election, and it seems that with each cycle, election advertisements on television get more frequent while mailers fill our mailboxes. 

Odd-number election years, when we elect local officials such as township supervisors, borough council members and school board members, do not often draw nearly as much participation. But odd-number years are also when voters consider many judicial elections.

Mind you, it’s often a “retention” vote, meaning that voters are considering whether they would like him or her to continue serving in that position.

There are a few levels of state courts in Pennsylvania. Common Pleas courts, which typically handle criminal and civil cases, hold proceedings in county courthouses. In Harrisburg, there are Commonwealth, Superior and Supreme courts. Judges in those levels run for their initial terms in traditional-style elections, likely against an opponent. Races for magisterial district judge seats occur every six years in standard, more familiar elections. 

But once serving in a judicial position in the Common Pleas, Commonwealth, Superior and Supreme courts, every 10 years, judges can seek to retain their position, and voters are asked a simple ballot question: should he or she “be retained for an additional term.” Judges can face as many retention votes as possible before the mandatory retirement age of 75.

For example, voters in Westmoreland County will consider retention votes for Westmoreland County Court of Common Pleas judges Scott Mears, Harry Smail Jr. and Tim Krieger. 

Pennsylvania is one of 11 states that uses retention elections to confirm a new judicial term. Only one state judge has failed to retain a seat. That occurred in 2005, when former Supreme Court Justice Russell Nigro did not earn his retention vote.

Judicial retention votes occur during the general election in November. If a judge loses their retention race, a special election is held to replace them during the next odd year election. The governor may appoint someone in the interim, who must be confirmed with a two-thirds vote in the state Senate.

Although it may seem complicated to elect judges using a retention vote, its purpose is well-intended. A judge’s service is supposed to be non-partisan, having no affiliation with Democrats or Republicans. In fact, in the retention question on election ballots, a political party is not listed.

Three of Pennsylvania’s sitting Supreme Court judges face a retention vote in 2025. They include Christine Donahue, Kevin Dougherty and David Wecht, all of whom won their current seats in 2015.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court is the last stop for court cases in the Commonwealth. Clients and attorneys seeking to appeal decisions there must then file in federal court.

It is important that voters understand the process to retain sitting judges. I have always believed that participation in elections is one of the most important civil rights we have. Regardless of one’s party affiliation and opinions, the ability to choose our public servants is gifted to us by the U.S. and Pennsylvania constitutions and their writers. It’s a gift we shouldn’t ever take for granted, even if we are a little burned out.

To learn more about recent judicial decisions in Pennsylvania, visit pacourts.us, choose “News and Statistics” and then “Cases of Public Interest.” To learn more about judicial elections, including retention elections, visit pacourts.us, choose “Read More” under “How do the Pennsylvania Courts operate,” then choose “How Judges are Elected.”  
 
Here are some additional news topics and reminders I would like to share.

Reminder of Events This Week - I would love to speak with you at my upcoming Open House and Telephone Town Hall! On Monday, March 17, at 5:30 p.m., please tune in for a Telephone Town Hall! Joined by House Republican Appropriations Chairman Jim Struzzi, I’ll be discussing the first few months of the new legislative session, ongoing budget negotiations and other topics. Calls inviting your participation will start going out about five minutes before the start time. You may also call in directly by dialing 877-229-8493 and using ID code 122184.

The Open House is the third and final event of my 2025 open house series and will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday, March 20, at the Murrysville office in the Murrysville Community Center, 3091 Carson Ave. in Murrysville.

PA ABLE Helps Save for Disability-Related Expenses
The PA ABLE Savings Program, an initiative created to help people with disabilities and their families save for future expenses, continues to grow in the Commonwealth. The Pennsylvania Treasury, which oversees the program, recently announced it has surpassed $150 million in assets. 

ABLE stands for Achieving a Better Life Experience. The program offers multiple savings and investment options, including an interest-bearing checking account. PA ABLE accounts owners can contribute up to $19,000 per year. Contributions can be deducted on PA state income taxes, and PA ABLE account owners pay no federal or state income tax on account growth when used for qualified withdrawals.

The money can be used for everything from groceries, rent, health care and transportation to longer-term expenses including education and assistive technology. 

Learn more at PAABLE.gov. 

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month - Colorectal cancer is the second deadliest cancer in the United States despite it being highly preventable with screening.

One in 24 people will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in their lifetime, according to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports the most effective way to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer is routine screening, beginning at age 45, for people who are at average risk. 

Screening tests can find precancerous polyps so they can be removed before they turn into cancer. Colorectal cancer can also be found early by the screenings, when treatment is most effective.

There are various types of screening tests available; talk to your doctor about which test is right for you. You can find more resources about early and regular screenings, as well as other health-related subjects, by visiting cdc.gov and selecting Health Topics. 


Representative Jill Cooper
55th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jordan Frei
724.875.8450
jfrei@pahousegop.com
RepJillCooper.com / Facebook.com/RepJillCooper