A public defender, a prosecutor and a solicitor: 3 candidates vie for Erie County judge
The three lawyers have different practices areas and levels of experience. But they are all aiming for the same job — a judge on the nine-member Erie County Court of Common Pleas.
Emily Mosco Merski, 42, a Democrat, is a part-time assistant public defender for Erie County who also in private practice.
Jeremy Lightner, 39, a Democrat, is a chief deputy district attorney for Erie County.
Leigh Ann Orton, 53, a Republican, is the first assistant solicitor for Erie County who is also in private practice.
All three candidates have cross-filed on the Democratic and Republican ballots, meaning the race will be narrowed to at least two candidates in the municipal primary on May 20.
Voters could pick a Democratic and a Republican nominee.
Or a candidate could lock up both nominations. Then the sole nominee on both tickets would be all but guaranteed victory on Nov. 4 to a 10-year-term as judge, with a retention vote not until 2035.
Candidate controversy: Nomination petitions were challenged in Erie County judge race. The case quickly unraveled
The annual salary, as set by law, is currently $227,411. The mandatory retirement age is 75.
The winner in November will fill a seat that has been vacant since the retirement of Judge Elizabeth K. Kelly in April 2024.
Of the three candidates this year, only Orton has run for office before. She lost in a race for Erie County judge two years ago.
Judicial candidates in Pennsylvania are prohibited from commenting on how they would rule on specific cases. The limitation puts the focus on the candidates' backgrounds and experience.
In the case of judges in Erie County, lawyers with the Erie County Bar Association weigh in on who they think are most qualified. The association's members gave Merski the only "recommended" rating in a poll released in late April.
Another marquee race: Democrats Devlin, Schember spar over city of Erie's finances as mayor's race heats up
The Erie Times-News asked each of the candidates about their qualifications and experience and why they want to be a judge. The candidates are listed in alphabetical order.
Read their responses here:
Emily Mosco Merski cites community service
Jeremy Lightner touts work as prosecutor
Leigh Ann Orton focuses on family law in run
For more information, the Erie County Bar Association's website includes the judges' resumes and their answers to the association's questions. The results of the lawyers' poll are also on the site.
Contact Ed Palattella at epalattella@timesnews.com or 814-870-1813.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Three candidates make their arguments in race for Erie County judge
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