Yesterday’s Municipal Election was highlighted by local races throughout the state. However, voters across all the Commonwealth’s 67 counties were asked to fill two vacancies on the state’s second highest court. The Superior Court of Pennsylvania is responsible for appeals in criminal and most civil cases from the Courts of Common Pleas and appeals on matters involving children and families.

With 96.07 percent of the vote in, Megan McCarthy King (R) and Daniel McCaffery (D) are the top vote getters. King, a prosecutor in the Chester County District Attorney’s office, leads with 25.55 percent. McCaffery, a member of the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas, is close behind with 25.72 percent of the vote. If the results hold, the Court would have eight Republicans and seven Democrats. The other candidates are Amanda Green-Hawkins (D), an appellate attorney who received 24.94 percent of the vote, and Christylee Peck, a Cumberland County Court of Common Pleas judge who has 23.79% of the vote.

Superior Court Judges Anne Lazarus (D) and Judy Olson (R) were successful in their retention vote and will serve an additional 10-year term. Also, Commonwealth Court Judges Kevin Brobson (R) and Patricia McCullough (R) were retained to stay on the bench for 10 more years.

The last statewide vote was on “Marcy’s Law,” a ballot question establishing certain crime victims’ rights in the Pennsylvania Constitution. Voters supported the measure by a 74.87% to 26.13% margin. However, the vote will not be official due to an ongoing court battle.

Three members of the state legislature were elected to local positions. Special elections to fill their seats will be announced at a later date.

  • Rep. Gene DiGirolamo (R-Bucks) was elected to the Bucks County Board of Commissioners.
  • Rep. Justin Walsh (R-Westmoreland) was elected Judge for the Westmoreland County Court of Common Pleas.
  • Rep. Tedd Nesbit (R-Mercer) was elected Judge for the Mercer County Court of Common Pleas.

Highlights from local races throughout the state:

Allegheny County

  • Rich Fitzgerald (D) will serve a third term as Allegheny County Executive.
  • Chelsa Wagner (D) won another term as Allegheny County Controller.
  • In District 1, Pittsburgh City Councilwoman Darlene Harris (D) lost in the primary election to fellow Democrat Bobby Wilson.
  • Allegheny County Council members Cindy Kirk (R) of District 2 and John Palmiere (D) of District 6 were victorious in their reelection campaigns. In District 5, Tom Duerr (D) defeated incumbent Sue Means (R).
  • District Attorney Stephen Zappala (D) was elected to serve a sixth term in office.

Philadelphia County

  • Mayor Jim Kenney (D) was elected to a second term.
  • Kendra Brooks of the Working Families Party defeated at-large Councilman Al Taubeneberger (R).
  • Newly elected Democratic Councilmembers include Isaiah Thomas (at-large), Katherine Gilmore Richardson (at-large), and Jamie Gauthier (District 3).
  • The following incumbent City Councilmembers were successful in their reelection campaign:
    • Helen Gym (D, at-large)
    • Allan Domb (D, at-large)
    • Derek Green (D, at-large)
    • David Oh (R, at-large)
    • Mark Squilla (D, District 1)
    • Kenyatta Johnson (D, District 2)
    • Curtis Jones (D, District 4)
    • Darrell Clarke (D, District 5)
    • Bobby Henon (D, District 6)
    • Maria Quinones Sanchez (D, District 7)
    • Cindy Bass (D, District 8)
    • Cherelle Parker (D, District 9)
    • Brian O’Neill (R, District 10)

Miscellaneous

  • Democrats will take control of the Bucks County Board of Commissioners.
  • Three Democrats won seats on Delaware County Council, giving Democrats the majority for the first time since the Civil War.
  • Republicans reclaimed a majority on the Westmoreland County Board of Commissioners.

For the first time this century, Republicans will be in the majority on the Washington County Board of Commissioners.