Pennsylvania is one of those places where politics never sleeps. The commonwealth has elections every year. This year will be no exception, of course, with the 2023 Municipal Primary Election taking place on Tuesday, May 16.
While these off-year elections are primarily known for county races, there are some statewide judge contests that are worthy of our attention. First and foremost is the race to fill the State Supreme Court vacancy created by the Sept. 30 death of Justice Max Baer, a Democrat.
So far, two Democrats and one Republican have said they are running to fill the vacancy, Republican Carolyn Carluccio, the president judge of the Montgomery County Court; and Democrats Deborah Kunselman and Daniel McCaffery, both Pennsylvania Superior Court judges.
Each will run in their respective parties to determine who will face off in the general election on Nov. 7. There may be more candidates. The Supreme Court race is very important, especially to Republicans, who if successful in winning in November, will cut the Democrats’ court majority down to 4-3.
There will also be a race to fill the Commonwealth Court vacancy created by Republican Judge Kevin Brobson getting elected to the State Supreme Court in 2021. So far, the only candidate to declare for the Commonwealth Court vacancy is Berks County Republican Joshua Prince, a civil rights attorney with a strong record of support for the Second Amendment.
Finally, there are two State Superior Court retentions on the ballot for judges who will complete their 10-year terms on the court, judges Republican Vic Stabile and Democrat Jack Panella.
What seats are up for election in Franklin County in 2023?
Our Franklin County row officer elections might contain some drama.
All three incumbent county commissioners — Republicans Dave Keller and John Flannery, and Democrat Bob Ziobrowski — will be running for re-election, and several potential challengers have been suggested as well (voters can select two candidates during their party primary).
This will be Flannery’s final run for commissioner, that is if he keeps his promise to serve no more than two terms, and if he wins, of course. Other possible Republican candidates for commissioner are retired District 8 PennDot Manager Dave Rock, whose wife is the Guilford Township Magisterial District judge, and Antrim Township Supervisor and Republican County Chairman Fred Young.
Another name that keeps coming up is former Republican County Commissioner Bob Thomas, who still has a large support base and who could be a factor in a crowded field.
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On the Democrat side, it is rumored that Dem County Chairman Cameron Shroy will also run.
Other races up are prothonotary, where incumbent Tim Sponseller will be running, and clerk of courts, with incumbent Todd Rock running. Longtime Republican County Coroner Jeff Conner will be retiring and his son, Deputy Coroner Jordan Conner, will be running to replace him.
One interesting race will be for register and recorder, where long-time incumbent Linda Miller has stepped down, handing the reins over to First Deputy Joy Heinbaugh, who will be running to fill the position. Rumors are that she might face opposition.
Of course the elephant, or in this case, former elephant, in the room, is the race for District Attorney. As you’ll recall, incumbent DA Matt Fogal ran afoul of the local Republican Party by embracing the Black Lives Matter movement, leading to his official censure by the party.
Fogal reacted by leaving the Republican Party and becoming an independent, a status he held prior to his initial run for DA in 2011. A lot has changed since then, as the censuring Republican County chairman, Allen Coffman, was unseated last year by the party’s moderate faction, led by Young and Vice Chairman Flannery.
At the time, Young was on the party executive committee and opposed the censure. He did not show up for the final censure vote, as well. It remains to be seen whether Fogal will attempt to run for re-election as an independent, which is very difficult, or flip back to Republican, where he might have opposition from someone such as Deputy District Attorney Ian Brink. It should be fun to watch.
Candidates for office can start filing nomination petitions on Feb. 14 and must have them completed and filed with the county by March 7. Those running as independents have from March 8 to Aug. 1 to file nomination papers to get their names on the general election ballot for Nov. 7.
Details on getting petitions and elections in general can be found on the county’s website, franklincountypa.gov, under the General Government tab, then Voter and Election Information.
Dwight Weidman is a resident of Greene Township and is a graduate of Shepherd University. He is retired from the United States Department of Defense, where his career included assignments In Europe, Asia, and Central America. He has been in leadership roles for the Republican Party in two states, most recently serving two terms as Chairman of the Franklin County Republican Party. Involved in web publishing since 1996, he is the publisher of The Franklin County Journal. He has been an Amateur Radio Operator since 1988, getting his first license in Germany, and is a past volunteer with both Navy and Army MARS, Military Auxiliary Radio Service, and is also an NRA-certified firearms instructor.
