PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A seat on the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania is on the ballot this year. On May 16, Democratic and Republican voters in Pennsylvania will make their picks for their party’s nominee in the state’s Supreme Court election coming in November. Candidates in the running took part in a forum hosted by the nonprofit Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts.
Judicial candidates are prohibited from speaking on specific issues during a campaign, to preserve the impartiality of the court. But candidates did share their reasons for running.
The Pennsylvania GOP has endorsed Carolyn Carluccio who’s currently Montgomery County President Judge.
“I'm running for the Supreme Court to bring some of the experience that I've gained in this role and to bring some balance onto that court — get politics out of it,” Carluccio said.
“There's almost no area of the law I have not done. And I bring a lot of passion, a lot of care, a lot of empathy to the position.”
She is running against Commonwealth Court Judge Patricia McCullough.
“Twelve-plus years as an appellate court judge upholding rights and election integrity, COVID restrictions, upholding the rights of the Legislature to draw the congressional map, upholding their Second Amendment and First Amendment rights,” McCullough said.
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Pennsylvania Democrats have endorsed Superior Court Judge Daniel McCaffery from Philadelphia.
“I think our courts right now have been politicized. I think the courts are really under duress. And I think we need people that the public has confidence in,” McCaffery said.
“I've got over 32 years of combined legal and judicial experience. In addition to that, I've served my country in the military.”
He is facing fellow Superior Court Judge Deborah Kunselman.
“I'm the candidate that brings the most years of judicial experience, both at the trial court, with 12 years, and the appellate courts, six years,” Kunselman said.
“Our Supreme Court is going to be making decisions that will set precedent for the entire state. And I bring a very diverse background.”
All candidates are “highly recommended” by the Pennsylvania Bar Association, except Republican Patricia McCullough, who entered the race after the deadline to fill out the Bar’s questionnaire.
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