A Quick Guide to the Local Elections

Earlier this month, on Nov. 2, the borough of West Chester took to the polls to elect its newest mayor. However, election day also saw a number of local races, each responsible for crafting Pennsylvania’s government in its own way. The graph below will track election data for Chester and its major surrounding counties, as well as act as a guide to some of these less understood governmental positions.

Judge of the Court of Common Pleas: Essentially a trial judge in major civil court case

Clerk of courts: Sometimes called a prothonotary. A public servant whose job it is to serve the managerial interests of the court. This means preparing orders and summons, contacting witnesses or other personnel needed in court, and examining legal documents.

Coroner: Much like a hospital coroner, the state coroner is referred to in cases where the causes and effects of death come into context.

Controller: Oversees fiscal systems of the county as they pertain to audits, staff payment, accounting systems and other internal affairs. Not to be confused with the treasurer, who focuses more on taxes and how the county government interacts with external groups.

Judge of the Superior Court: In Pennsylvania, the Superior Court (along with the Commonwealth Court) is the intermediate court between the Court of Common Pleas and the PA Supreme Court.

Recorder of deeds: Records, files and creates all new land ownership documents.

District attorney: Often abbreviated to D.A., holds the power of criminal prosecution for a majority of civil crimes.

Sheriff: Elected law enforcement for the people as well as security for court and other legal proceedings. 

All election results remain unofficial. Updated as of Nov. 10, 2021

All data pulled from the official websites for each county, all of which can be found here (https://www.vote.pa.gov/Resources/Pages/Contact-Your-Election-Officials.aspx) 

Note: Supreme, Superior and Commonwealth Court races are state-wide. All counties voted on the same candidates.

Result Format: Position: Current Leader (Percentage of Vote or No Contest (NC), Party or No Affiliation)

Berks

Justice of the Supreme Court: Kevin Brobson (57.3%, Republican)

Judge of the Superior Court: Megan Sullivan (60.1%, Republican)

Judge of the Commonwealth Court: Stacy Marie Wallace (30%, Republican) Drew Crompton (28.2%, Republican)

Judge of the Court of Common Pleas: Tina Boyd (53.6%) James Gavin (45.9%)

Treasurer: Dennis Adams (NC, Republican)

Coroner: John Fielding (53.5%, Republican)

Bucks

Justice of the Supreme Court: Kevin Brobson (50.99%, Republican)

Judge of the Superior Court: Megan Sullivan (52.91%, Republican)

Judge of the Commonwealth Court: Stacy Marie Wallace (26,49%, Republican) Lori A. Dumas (25.46%, Democratic)

Judge of the Court of Common Pleas: Stephen A. Corr (52.22%, Republican)

District attorney: Matt Weintraub (58%, Republican)

Sheriff: Fred Harran (52.44%, Republican)

Recorder of deeds: Dan McPhillips (50.81%, Republican)

County controller: Pamela A. Van Blunk (52.1% Republican)

Chester

Judge of the Court of Common Pleas: Alita Rovito (27%, Democrat) Tony Verwey (24%, Democrat)

Treasurer: Patricia A. Maisano (51%, Democrat)

Controller: Margaret Reif (52%, Democrat)

Clerk of courts: Yolanda Van de Krol (52%, Democrat)

Coroner: Sophia Garcia-Jackson (52%, Democrat)

Delaware

Justice of the Supreme Court: Kevin Brobson (52.69%, Republican)

Judge of the Superior Court: Megan Sullivan (54.99%, Republican)

Judge of the Commonwealth Court: Stacy Marie Wallace (27.94%, Republican) Drew Crompton (26.81%, Republican)

Judge of the Court of Common Pleas: Micahel Ruggieri (28.02%, Republican) Debora Truscello (26.78%, Republican)

County Council: Frank Agovino (26.94%, Republican) Joseph F. Lombardo Jr. (27.59%, Republican).

Sheriff: Lawrence E. Weigand III (54.04%, Republican)

Controller: Sherry Smyth (54.07%, Republican)

Lancaster

Judge of the Commonwealth Court: Stacy Marie Wallace (32%, Republican) Drew Crompton (30.7%, Republican)

Judge of the Court of Common Pleas: JoAnne Murphy (NC, Republican)

Controller: Lisa K. Colon (63.3%, Republican)

Recorder of deeds: Ann M. Hess (64.9%, Republican)

Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas: Mary Anater (62.5%, Republican)

Philadelphia

Justice of the Supreme Court: Maria Mclaughlin (82.47%, Democrat)

Judge of the Superior Court: Timika Lana (79.71%, Democrat)

Judge of the Commonwealth Court: Lori A. Dumas (41.81%, Democrat) David Lee Spurgeon (38.51%, Democrat)

Judge for the Court of Common Pleas: 12 Candidates, 12 Openings, all Democrat

District Attorney: Larry Krasner (71.77%, Democrat)

Controller: Rebecca Rhynhart (NC, Democrat)

Montgomery

Justice of the Supreme Court: Maria Mclaughlin (60.2%, Democrat)

Judge of the Superior Court: Timika Lana (58.12%, Democrat)

Judge of the Commonwealth Court: Lori A. Dumas (31.1%, Democrat) David Lee Spurgeon (28.4%, Democrat)

Judge for the Court of Common Pleas: A. Nicole Phillips (NC)

Matthew Shimkonis is a third-year History Major. MS925373@wcupa.edu