ELEPHANT CORNER: Statewide Republicans Line Up For Shot At Pa. Supreme Court Seats

This year there will be five statewide appellate-court justice positions on the ballot. Three of those openings are on the Commonwealth’s Supreme Court. There have not been so many vacant Pennsylvania Supreme Court seats since the 1700s.

The openings are the result of the retirement of CHIEF JUSTICE RON CASTILLE, who reached the mandatory retirement age; JUSTICE SEAMUS McCAFFERY, who chose to retire amid a scandal; and JUSTICE JOAN ORIE MELVIN, who was convicted of a political corruption.

Currently 10 people are hoping to be the Republican candidates, including Superior Court JUDGES JUDY OLSEN, CHERYL ALLEN, JOHN BENDER and RENEE COHN JUBELIRER. Former Superior Court Judge and State Rep. CORREALE STEVENS is also interested. Stevens is currently on the Supreme Court as he was appointed to replace Orie Melvin until this year’s judicial election. Commonwealth Court judge and Bucks County native ANNE COVEY is also interested, as well as Philadelphia Common Pleas Court JUDGE PAUL PANEPINTO. Former Secretary of Labor & Industry in the Corbett administration JULIA HEARTHWAY is running, as is Montour County DISTRICT ATTORNEY REBECCA WARREN.

There are also one opening each on the Superior and Commonwealth Courts. There are four candidates for Superior Court, including Philadelphia Municipal COURT JUDGE BRAD MOSS. There are two Republicans seeking a seat on Commonwealth Court, including Pittsburgh attorney and Philadelphia-area native PAUL LALLEY. The candidates have visited most of the regional caucuses of State Committee of the Republican Party of Pennsylvania. Last Thursday they were in King of Prussia addressing the Southeast Caucus, which is headed by Philadelphia’s MIKE MEEHAN. The Southeast Caucus includes Philadelphia, Bucks, Delaware, Chester and Montgomery Counties.

The fields will narrow on Jan. 31 as PAGOP State Committee meets to vote on endorsements. Most of the candidates have noted they will not or probably will not run if not endorsed. I believe Stevens and Allen will be challenged in the endorsement process due to their ages (both are 68) and would only be able to serve two of the 10-year term owing the mandatory retirement age of 70. Covey is rumored to have strong support, as does Cohn Jubelirer.

In addition to the Saturday morning business meeting, PAGOP will hold its annual Lincoln Dinner. The keynote speaker this year will be former Texas GOV. RICK PERRY, who is expected to run in the 2016 presidential primary.

Locally, there has been little noise about Republican candidates for Common Pleas or Municipal Court. There are a number of candidates for the five Republican City Council at-Large seats.

Former police officer and Realtor LOU LANNI formerly announced his candidacy for City Council at Large last year. Tuesday evening, incumbent DENNIS O’BRIEN announced he was seeking another term at an event at the Racquet Club of Philadelphia. Incumbent DAVID OH is expected to announce his candidacy on Wednesday evening at an event at the Union League.

Attorney MATT WOLFE who was the Republican candidate in the special election last year to fill BILL GREEN’S seat is running but has not held a formal announcement meeting. Our 2013 candidate for City Controller, TERRY TRACY, is also expected to run for an at-Large. Last Friday. 50TH WARD LEADER JAMES WILLIAMS announced his candidacy at fundraiser at Campbell’s Place Restaurant in Chestnut Hill. The event included both Republican and Democratic supporters. Attendees included REV. TODD JOHNSON and 2014 Republican candidate for US Congress ARMOND JAMES. Williams is the head track coach at Cheyney University.

A special election to fill CONGRESSMAN BRENDAN BOYLE’S State House seat is scheduled for Mar. 24. The Republican candidate is financial advisor MARTINA WHITE. Republican GEORGE KENNEY held this seat until he retired. Since that time, the seat has been redistricted and now includes portions of the seat held by former Pennsylvania State House Speaker Dennis O’Brien, who resigned to take a seat on City Council. Therefore, Republican City Committee believes White will be more than competitive in this election.