Election Guide for Nov 2023
This Tuesday we have an election coming up here in Pennsylvania. I've reviewed the candidates on the ballot in my locale and here are my thoughts on those candidates, along with the sources I used to come to these conclusions.
Justice of the Supreme Court (vote for 1)
-
Daniel McCaffery (DEM) [Endorsed]
- Not who I supported in the primary
- Endorsed by Democratic party
- https://judgemccaffery.com/
- In video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=102cYmo_GUM
- Highly Recommend - bar assoc
- Most observers say the political swing of the PA supreme court is vital
- See https://www.pabar.org/public/news%20releases/23jec/DanielMcCafferySupreme.pdf
- Endorsed by Kate Shaw (law professor whose work I follow)
I am endorsing Daniel McCaffery -
Carolyn Carluccio (REP)
- https://www.judgecarluccio.com/
- Highly Recommend - bar assoc
- Brands herself as non-partisan, although heavily funded by strong right-wing groups
- https://www.law.com/thelegalintelligencer/2023/10/16/montco-president-judge-carolyn-carluccio-seeks-seat-on-pa-supreme-court/
- Opposed by Planned Parenthood; endorsed by some pro-life groups, but she claims to feel that is not a matter for the courts to decide.
- See https://www.pabar.org/public/news%20releases/23jec/CarolynCarluccioSupreme.pdf. Note that all the sample writings are from talks, NOT judicial opinions.
- Said Scalia most represents her judicial philosophy.
Judge of the Superior Court (vote for 2)
-
Jill Beck (DEM) [Endorsed]
- I mildly endorsed in the primary.
- In video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=102cYmo_GUM
- I practiced in Superior Court
- Bar association: Highly Recommended
- Judicial philosophy: restraint.
- Model Judge: Justice Kennedy (because you didn’t know how he’d vote)
- https://pennsylvaniadecides.com/#superiorcourt-jillbeck (a biased source)
I am endorsing Jill Beck. -
Timika Lane (DEM) [Endorsed]
- I solidly endorsed in the primary.
- In video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=102cYmo_GUM
- Court of common pleas for 10 yrs. Attorney before that; Teacher.
- Bar association: Highly Recommended
- I pride myself that I treat everyone with respect (with examples)
- https://pennsylvaniadecides.com/#superiorcourt-judgetimikalane (a biased source)
I am endorsing Timika Lane. -
Maria Battista (REP)
- Was not a lower-court judge; was an Assistant District Attorney and a hearing examiner in the State Dept. and Health Dept.
- https://www.battistaforjudge.com
- Bar association: Not Recommended
- https://pennsylvaniadecides.com#superiorcourt-mariacbattista (a biased source)
-
Harry F. Smail Jr. (REP)
- Bar association: Recommended
- “His previous rulings include a decision to toss out more than 200 ballots in Pennsylvania’s 2020 election, as well as a ruling to allow drilling for oil and gas (known as fracking wells) in a Pittsburgh suburb.”
- https://pennsylvaniadecides.com/#superiorcourt-judgeharrysmail (a biased source)
Judge of the Commonwealth Court (vote for 1)
-
Matt Wolf (DEM) [Endorsed]
- I endorsed strongly in the primary.
- In video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=102cYmo_GUM
- Recommended - bar assoc
- Been a judge for 5 years. Trial lawyer before that. Soldier.
- What about precedent? NC reversal. Don’t be political.
- Ethics: Is good enough now.
- I’m the only candidate with judicial experience.
- Extracurricular: running. Sailing (but I don’t own a boat).
- See https://www.pabar.org/public/news%20releases/23jec/MatthewWolfCommonwealth.pdf
- Endorsed by Kate Shaw (law professor whose work I follow)
I am endorsing Matt Wolf. -
Megan Martin (REP)
- Bar rating: Recommended
- https://meganmartinforpa.com/
- Lacks experience as a judge in lower courts.
- See https://www.pabar.org/public/news%20releases/23jec/MeganMartinCommonwealth.pdf
Judge of the Court Of Common Pleas (vote for 1)
-
Rachel Ezzell Berry (DEM) [Endorsed]
- Did not respond to League of Women Voters
- https://www.rachelberryforjudge.com/meet-rachel
I am endorsing Rachel Berry. -
Dawn Getty Sutphin (REP)
- Did not respond to League of Women Voters
- https://dawngettysutphinforjudge.com/
- Very little information on her website about her judicial philosophy
County Council (vote for 3)
-
Monica Taylor (DEM) [Endorsed]
- League of women voters: “What are your top 3 priorities if elected?” - 1. Housing(subcategories- unhoused/continuum of care, rental stability, and home ownership) 2. Maternal child health and combatting the disparities that exist in maternal mortality and morbidity. 3. Mental and Behavioral health service improvements and expansion (subcategories-DHS workforce development program with local colleges and universities, crisis services expansion and mental health provider development)
- https://www.delcovictory.com/meet-the-candidates
I am endorsing Monica Taylor. -
Elaine Paul Schaefer (DEM) [Endorsed]
- League of women voters: Top 3 priorities: First, to continue the transformation of the Delaware County government to a professional, efficient, transparent government that serves all residents and spends tax dollars wisely. Second, to continue our transformative investment in our natural resources, open spaces and trails, including building the East Coast Greenway trail in Chester. Along these lines, a major priority for me is to continue to invest in making our government more sustainable, including making our entire fleet electric, investing in solar energy production and investing in mass transit. Third, to preserve and improve access to both physical and mental health care for all of our residents, in every part of our County -- especially where access has been compromised due to the collapse of the Crozer system.
- https://www.delcovictory.com/meet-the-candidates
I definitely endorse Elaine Schaefer. -
Christina A. Ruether (DEM) [Endorsed]
- Did not respond to League of Women Voters survey
- https://www.delcovictory.com/meet-the-candidates
- https://www.reuther4delco.com/
With some doubts, I am endorsing Christina Ruether, although William Dennon was a close second. -
Joy Schwartz (REP)
- Did not respond to League of Women Voters survey
- https://delawarecountygop.com/joy-schwartz-county-council (this scared me)
- https://www.delcocouncil.com/our-story
-
Jeffrey O. Jones (REP)
- Did not respond to League of Women Voters survey
- https://www.delcocouncil.com/our-story
- https://delawarecountygop.com/jeff-jones-county-council (I’m not a fan)
-
William Dennon (REP)
- Did not respond to League of Women Voters survey
- https://delawarecountygop.com/mayor-bill-dennon-county-council (I liked this)
- https://www.delcocouncil.com/our-story
District Attorney (vote for 1)
-
Jack Stollsteimer (DEM) [Endorsed]
- https://jackfordelcoda.com/ (I don’t like it)
- League of women voters: top 3 priorities: Continue the work of the Chester Partnership for Safe Neighborhoods, which I launched in October 2020 and has reduced the number of gun violence homicides in the City of Chester by 60% over the last two years.
- From items listed at https://jackfordelcoda.com/accomplishments, I see several items that are quite partisan. (In the direction I favor, but still partisan.)
- https://www.inquirer.com/politics/jack-stollsteimer-beth-stefanide-miscichowski-delaware-county-district-attorney-20231031.html
- Criticism by his opponent: “I get that he has a philosophy of fighting crime by giving people second chances, and addressing poverty issues, and, again, I’m not saying those aren’t valid policies,” she said. “I’m saying they should not be the the first line of attack for the district attorney, the county’s chief law enforcement officer.”
It's a close call, but I'm endorsing Jack Stollsteimer. -
Beth Stefanide Miscichowski (REP)
- https://www.bethforda.com/ (I like what I see here)
- League of women voters: top 3 priorities: My number one objective is public safety. I will ensure violent and repeat offenders are held accountable and if necessary incarcerated. I will prosecute all criminal matters and use my discretion to achieve justice as the number one priority in all cases. My second objective is to educate and train the assistant district attorneys to make the District Attorney's Office the best and most productive law firm in the county. If elected as Chief Law Enforcement Officer, I will work tirelessly 24 hours a day, seven day a week. I do not have political ambitions beyond the office of District Attorney. And my number three objective is to use available resources to support law enforcement and pursue community cooperation all in an effort to deter and reduce crime.
- https://www.inquirer.com/politics/jack-stollsteimer-beth-stefanide-miscichowski-delaware-county-district-attorney-20231031.html
School Director Haverford School District (vote for 5)
-
Bridget Wiederman (DEM) [Endorsed]
- http://haverforddemocrats.com/school-board
- Current head of school board; seems to be doing a decent job, I think.
- DETAILED response to league of women voters, and I like what she says.
Endorsed, because I think she is currently doing a good job, and she seems to have a good set of positions. -
David Schwartz (DEM) [Endorsed]
- http://haverforddemocrats.com/school-board
- Currently on school board; is doing behind-the-scenes work on the budget.
- No response to League of Women Voters
Endorsed, because I think he is currently doing a good job. -
LaTonia Lee (DEM)
- I did not endorse in the primary.
- http://haverforddemocrats.com/school-board
- Responded to League of Women Voters in a way I found not very meaningful: "Academic Achievement for All; Sustainable Investment for Growth; Equitable and Inclusive Priorities."
-
Chris Shelton (DEM) [Endorsed]
- http://haverforddemocrats.com/school-board
- Responded to League of Women Voters: Academic achievement for all, sustainable investment for growth and equitable and inclusive participation
- Background brings in STEM, mental health, music program.
Endorsed, because I think he’ll do a good job. -
Antoinette Snodgrass (DEM) [Endorsed]
- http://haverforddemocrats.com/school-board
- Currently on the board. Working on policies committee.
Endorsed, as she is currently holding the position and is doing some actual work. -
John Dilworth (REP) [Endorsed]
- https://haverfordcares.wixsite.com/haverfordcares
- Responded to League of Women Voters - Supports Reading, Writing, STEM, advanced course, and mental / physical wellness.
Endorsed, despite the fact that he’s running on the Republican slate. I think he’ll do a good job. -
Christina Bean (REP)
- https://haverfordcares.wixsite.com/haverfordcares
- No response to League of Women Voters
-
Ed Silvi (REP)
- https://haverfordcares.wixsite.com/haverfordcares
- No response to League of Women Voters
-
Kelly Hatton (REP)
- https://haverfordcares.wixsite.com/haverfordcares
- No response to League of Women Voters
-
Elena Wiseley (REP)
- https://haverfordcares.wixsite.com/haverfordcares
- Part of an alternate slate. Republican and Democratic
- No response to League of Women Voters
Retention of Superior Court Judges (vote yes or no for each)
-
Retain Jack Panella? [Endorse "yes"]
- PA Bar endorses for retention.
- See https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2023/11/jack-panella-pennsylvania-judicial-retention-2023-election/
I endorse retaining Judge Panella.
- PA Bar endorses for retention.
- See https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2023/11/jack-panella-pennsylvania-judicial-retention-2023-election/
- See example dissent: https://www.pacourts.us/assets/opinions/Superior/out/J-E01003-23do%20-%20105608077232112025.pdf?cb=1
- https://law.justia.com/cases/pennsylvania/superior-court/2018/1093-mda-2017.html
- Looking at the cases, I acknowledge that Judge Stabile is functioning as a competent judge and is making decisions based on sound legal reasoning. However, there are also some places where I question whether he's really seeing the true picture. For example, in his dissent on the Uber arbitration case his position wasn't that the plaintifs should be forced into binding arbitration without recourse to the courts because of some fine print on a website that no one had read, his position was that the Superior court shouldn't hear the case yet because maybe the original judge would, after forcing the parties into arbitration, declare afterward that the arbitration wasn't required. That's a sound legal position, but in practice it fails fundamental tests of legal fairness.
Retention of Court of Common Pleas Judges (vote yes or no for each)
-
Retain Richard M. Cappelli?
- Democratic party, in a close vote, decided to endorse NOT retaining -- for party reasons, not because of decisions made on the bench. See https://delawarevalleyjournal.com/bar-association-asks-voters-to-retain-delco-judges/. This is completely inappropriate on the part of the Democrats and I completely disregarding their position and, indeed, slightly MORE inclined to retain because of it.
- https://trellis.law/judge/richard.m.cappelli
I am not taking a position on retaining Judge Cappelli as I do not know enough about him. -
Retain Barry C. Dozor? [Endorse "yes"]
- Democratic party, in a close vote, decided to endorse NOT retaining -- for party reasons, not because of decisions made on the bench. See https://delawarevalleyjournal.com/bar-association-asks-voters-to-retain-delco-judges/. This is completely inappropriate on the part of the Democrats and I completely disregarding their position and, indeed, slightly MORE inclined to retain because of it.
- Denied a petition to halt certification of Delaware County’s election in 2022.
- The bar voted 91 percent to retain Dozor.
I endorse retaining Judge Dozor. -
Retain William Chip Mackrides? [Endorse "yes"]
- Democratic party, in a close vote, decided to endorse NOT retaining -- for party reasons, not because of decisions made on the bench. See https://delawarevalleyjournal.com/bar-association-asks-voters-to-retain-delco-judges/. This is completely inappropriate on the part of the Democrats and I completely disregarding their position and, indeed, slightly MORE inclined to retain because of it.
- The bar voted by 91 percent to retain him.
I endorse retaining Judge Mackrides.