Primary election 2025: The contest for Berks County judge
Three candidates are in a race to be Berks County's next judge.
The candidates have each cross-filed, meaning they will appear on both Democratic and Republican ballots in the May 20 primary election as they are vying to fill a vacancy on the Berks County bench left open by the retirement of Judge Jeffrey Sprecher in July 2023.
Judges serve for 10 years, then must run for retention to remain on the bench. The position pays $227,411 annually.
The candidates were each asked to respond to the following three questions:
Question 1: What would your guiding philosophy be on the bench?
Question 2: What is the most pressing issue facing the Berks County court system and how would you address it?
Question 3: What in your legal career has best prepared you to be a judge?
Kathryn Lehman
Kathryn Lehman (Courtesy of Kathryn Lehman)
Background: Lehman has worked in law for nearly 14 years. She has been a public defender and is a Berks County assistant district attorney who serves as supervisor of the Drug Task Force. In addition to her career, she is the president of the Berks County Field Hockey Officials Association and is an active official.
Age: 41.
Website: lehmanforjudge.com
Response 1: Public trust in our legal system depends on judges who are not only fair and principled, but who also understand the real-world consequences of their rulings. Having spent my career serving Berks County in both the Berks County District Attorney's Office and previously in the public defender's office, I've seen how the law profoundly affects victims, families and our entire community.
My guiding philosophy on the bench will be rooted in fairness, integrity and respect for all who enter the courtroom. A judge must be impartial, uphold the rule of law and ensure justice is applied consistently. However, justice is not and cannot be one-size-fits-all: justice requires thoughtful consideration of each case's unique circumstances.
My prosecutorial experience, which will serve me well as a judge, has taught me the importance of balancing accountability with compassion. Every person deserves to be heard and treated with dignity, regardless of their background. My courtroom environment will be one that is respectful, safe and accessible — where all parties feel confident that their case is being handled justly and impartially. That's the kind of judge I will strive to be, one guided by experience, committed to justice and dedicated to serving with integrity.
Response 2: One of the most pressing issues facing the Berks County court system is ensuring that every individual, regardless of background or circumstance, is held accountable for their actions tempered with compassion. The Berks County court system has made great headway on this issue, but more remains to be done.
With my background as a prosecutor, I have seen the importance of addressing the person behind the case on both sides. Sometimes, people struggling with mental health issues or substance use disorders become caught in a cycle of incarceration rather than being connected with resources that address the root causes of their behavior. It is essential that we expand and support diversionary and treatment-focused programs that aim to rehabilitate, not just punish. These programs reduce recidivism, improve outcomes, and ultimately make our communities safer.
If elected, I will work to ensure that our court system treats every individual with dignity and offers real opportunities for change rather than only consequences. Justice should be fair, consistent and focused on helping people rebuild their lives. As a judge, I believe the courtroom should be a place where fairness and accountability intersect.
Response 3: My career as an assistant district attorney in the Berks County District Attorney's Office has best prepared me to serve as a judge. For nearly a decade, I've prosecuted some of our county's most serious cases, including murders, other violent crimes, major drug operations and other cases that deeply affect not only victims and their families but also the community of Berks County.
Through this work, I've learned how to make difficult decisions under pressure, apply the law with precision and, most importantly, listen carefully to all sides. As a prosecutor, I've worked closely with victims seeking justice, and with individuals on both sides struggling with addiction, trauma and mental health issues. The people whose paths intersect with the legal system are shaped by far more than a single moment. I've seen the impact the courts can have when we focus on accountability, treatment and support, but also punishment where warranted.
My prosecutorial experience has taught me that good judgment isn't just about knowing the law — it's about applying it fairly, consistently and with compassion. I understand the responsibility that comes with sitting on the bench, and I'm ready to bring balanced, experienced, and principled judgment to the court of common pleas.
Eric Taylor
Eric Taylor
Background: Taylor is a district judge serving the communities of West Reading and Wyomissing since 2018. Before being elected to that position, he spent 12 years working in the Berks County Public Defender's Office. He has also volunteered with the Peace Corps, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berks County and the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul at Sacred Heart Parish in West Reading.
Age: 52.
Website: taylormadeforjudge.com
Response 1: Since I first began serving as a magisterial district judge in 2018, my guiding philosophy has been to follow the United States and Pennsylvania Constitutions, along with the statutes enacted by the Legislature. I have and will continue to follow the constitutions and the law whether I win this election and am elevated to be the next Berks County Court of Common Pleas judge or if I remain the magisterial district judge for Wyomissing and West Reading.
The role of the judge is to apply the facts to the constitutions and the law, regardless of whether the judge agrees with the law, and not to legislate from the bench. I have followed the law and kept politics out of my court, and voters can see my decisions are free of politics by reading my published judicial opinions in the Berks County Law Journal.
Response 2: I have seen many people in Berks County become enmeshed in our courts because of their abuse of drugs and/or mental health issues. If these problems are not addressed, such people are likely to recidivate.
As a district judge, I have often directed people to agencies like Treatment Access & Services Center that can help them deal with their problems. If successfully treated, this can make people be productive citizens. Furthermore, addressing these problems can keep these people from further police contact and out of the courts, reducing the number of cases in our judicial system.
Again, regardless of whether I become a judge at the common pleas level or remain a district judge, I plan on continuing to refer people to these agencies when appropriate. Helping people turn their life around is professionally fulfilling and is one of the best things about being a judge.
Response 3: My seven years of being a Berks County magisterial district judge undoubtedly have best prepared me to be a judge for the court of common pleas. My approximately 20 years as a lawyer, which include plenty of trial experience, have also been solid preparation.
But there is no better experience than on-the-job training, and I possess seven years of judicial experience that neither of the other candidates have. This experience includes running a courtroom, presiding over trials and hearings, making rulings on evidence and, ultimately, deciding cases. I have presided over criminal and civil cases, along with petitions for emergency protection from abuse, which are family law cases.
I am the only candidate who has held parties accountable as a judge, including sentencing people to jail, as a result of my decisions. I have written judicial decisions that the Berks County Law Journal has published. This is an election to be a judge, not a jury trial attorney, and I have seven years of invaluable experience as a judge that neither of the other candidates possess.
Lauren Marks
Lauren Marks
Background: Marks has practiced civil, criminal and family law throughout her career as a defense attorney in Berks County. She is a board member for the Berks County Bar Association and frequently gives lectures at continuing legal education classes. In addition to her legal career, she served as auditor for Lower Heidelberg Township.
Age: 44.
Website: electlaurenmarks.com
Response 1: Justice Antonin Scalia once remarked, 'If you are going to be a good and faithful judge, you have to resign yourself to the fact that you're not always going to like the conclusions you reach.' This reflects my guiding philosophy as a judge: to strictly interpret the law and the Constitution, which is my duty.
Upholding the integrity and independence of the judiciary often requires making difficult decisions. I am committed to ensuring that everyone who comes before my court is treated with due process, dignity and respect. This principle is essential to maintaining public trust in the judicial system. Ultimately, my focus will be on delivering justice fairly, regardless of personal feelings about specific outcomes.
Response 2: The Berks County court system, like many others nationwide, faces a significant challenge: a decline in public confidence in the judiciary. This growing distrust can be largely attributed to the spread of negative and often inaccurate information on social media.
To address this issue, I would prioritize ensuring that all litigants receive fair due process in the courtroom. By committing to unbiased decision-making and maintaining transparency throughout the judicial process, I aim to restore trust. Every decision would be made after thorough consideration of all presented testimony and evidence, reinforcing the integrity of the court system.
Response 3: Throughout my career, I have gained extensive experience in every division of the court, both in the public and private sectors. This broad-based expertise will greatly benefit the residents of Berks County, as I will bring a wealth of knowledge to the role without needing on-the-job training, ultimately saving taxpayer dollars.
As a private practice attorney, I have honed my trial skills and developed a deep understanding of the importance of resolving cases efficiently. I recognize that swift resolutions can alleviate stress, save time and reduce costs for litigants. I am also keenly aware of the emotional challenges that often arise in family law cases.
With the ability to carefully evaluate all evidence, I am committed to making unbiased and well-reasoned decisions in accordance with the law, even when those decisions may not be popular. My goal is to serve the community effectively while ensuring justice is administered fairly and impartially.
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