Republican Judicial Contests, Local Races Drive Interest in Pennsylvania Primary

Voters across Pennsylvania cast ballots Tuesday in a slate of judicial and local primary races, many of which could shape the state’s legal and political future well beyond November. While primary elections are often quiet affairs, this year’s contests—particularly for two statewide Republican judicial seats—drew increased attention due to ongoing debates over election law, education funding, and the influence of the courts on public policy.

The Republican primaries for Commonwealth Court and Superior Court were especially closely watched. Liam Mayo from The River Reporter joined Tim Bruno on Radio Chatskill  to break down the results and what they could mean moving forward.

Statewide Judicial Races:
At the Commonwealth Court level, GOP-endorsed candidate Matthew Wolford, an environmental law specialist, won the Republican nomination over Joshua Prince, a gun law attorney. Wolford will face Jessica Ellis, a Court of Common Pleas judge and the unopposed Democratic nominee, in November.

The Superior Court Republican primary saw an upset, with Maria Batista, a former assistant general counsel for Pennsylvania’s Departments of State and Health, defeating party-endorsed Judge Annmarie Wheatcraft. Batista will go on to challenge Judge Brandon Newman, a Democrat, in the general election.

“These appellate courts are often under the radar, but they play a huge role in determining the legality of state policies,” Mayo explained. “From election law to education funding and reproductive rights, their influence is significant.”

Adding to the stakes: this fall, Pennsylvania voters will also decide whether to retain five appellate judges—including three Democratic Supreme Court justices—for additional 10-year terms. These “yes or no” retention votes have become a strategic target for Republicans aiming to shake up the current Democratic majority on the state’s highest courts.

Wayne and Pike County Judicial Results:
Locally, two magisterial district judge races appear to have been settled in the primary.

In Wayne County, attorney Jessica Ellis secured both the Republican and Democratic nominations for a vacant magisterial seat, defeating former state trooper Wayne Thomas. According to unofficial results, Ellis earned nearly twice the votes of her opponent in both primaries, effectively sealing her election ahead of November.

In Pike County, Christina Ballas defeated longtime incumbent Judge Paul Minto, also winning both parties’ nominations. Ballas’ dual victory likely means she will take the bench following the general election.

“These judgeships may not get the spotlight,” Mayo said, “but they’re often the public’s first experience with the judicial system. They matter a great deal locally.”

Honesdale Mayoral Race: A Three-Way Contest Emerges
In Honesdale, the mayoral race is heating up. Jim Hamill, a current borough councilor, secured the Democratic nomination. Incumbent Mayor Derek Williams, known locally as the “walking mayor,” is expected to run again as an independent. Meanwhile, a third candidate, potentially Mike Falco, may claim the Republican ballot line after a strong write-in campaign—though official confirmation of the write-in results won’t be available until next week.

Lackawaxen Township Supervisor Battle:
The primary for township supervisor in Lackawaxen Township saw incumbent Mike Manino defeat Ray Fennel, a political newcomer who ran a campaign centered on one issue: the controversial public acquisition of the Freshman’s Property, a popular river launch site. Manino won decisively with a 3-to-1 margin.

Delaware Valley School Board Confusion:
In the Delaware Valley School District, six candidates vied for four open board seats. According to preliminary results, five will advance to the general election: Joseph Melli, Pam Lutfi, Jessica Decker, Fe Han, and Dot Smith. One candidate, Mandy Coville, fell short in both the Democratic and Republican primaries and will not move forward.

Low Turnout, High Impact
Despite the importance of these races, voter turnout remained typical for a municipal primary—lower than in general elections but consistent with previous years, according to Wayne County election officials.

Still, Mayo emphasized that the decisions made Tuesday could reverberate across the state.

“With 10-year terms and the increasing politicization of court decisions, these judicial races may be some of the most consequential votes people cast all year,” he said.

Image Credit: Jared Wickerham/For Spotlight PA