Pennsylvania Superior Court race too close to call

George Stockburger
·2 min read
2

(WHTM) – The race for the second open seat on Pennsylvania’s Superior Court remains too close to call as of Wednesday morning.

On Tuesday night the Associated Press declared Democrat Jill Beck the first winner with more than 1.5 million votes. However, Democrat Timika Lane, and Republicans Maria Battista and Harry Smail Jr. remain in a close race for the second open seat.

Pennsylvania Superior Court Republican candidate Maria Battista speaks at a meet and greet with Pennsylvania judicial candidates at County Corvette in West Chester, Pa., Monday, Oct. 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Ryan Collerd)
Pennsylvania Superior Court Republican candidate Maria Battista speaks at a meet and greet with Pennsylvania judicial candidates at County Corvette in West Chester, Pa., Monday, Oct. 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Ryan Collerd)
Newly-elected Pennsylvania President Pro Tempore, state Sen. Kim Ward poses for photos with Sen. Gene Yaw and Judge Harry Smail, Jr. after being sworn-in as interim lieutenant governor until Lt. Gov.-Elect Austin Davis takes the oath later this month, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, in Harrisburg, Pa. (Mark Pynes/The Patriot-News via AP)
Newly-elected Pennsylvania President Pro Tempore, state Sen. Kim Ward poses for photos with Sen. Gene Yaw and Judge Harry Smail, Jr. after being sworn-in as interim lieutenant governor until Lt. Gov.-Elect Austin Davis takes the oath later this month, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, in Harrisburg, Pa. (Mark Pynes/The Patriot-News via AP)
Candidate for Pennsylvania Superior Court Judge Timika Lane speaks at a women’s organizing event and canvass launch hosted by the Montgomery County Democratic Committee in Norristown, Pa. Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Ryan Collerd)
Candidate for Pennsylvania Superior Court Judge Timika Lane speaks at a women’s organizing event and canvass launch hosted by the Montgomery County Democratic Committee in Norristown, Pa. Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Ryan Collerd)

Democrat Dan McCaffery won a seat on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, and Democrat Matt Wolf won the race for Commonwealth Court on Tuesday night.

Lane has served in the Court of Common Pleas for Philadelphia County since 2013. She is a graduate of Howard University and the Ruster-Camden School of Law.

During the election, Lane was “highly recommended” by the Pennsylvania Bar Association and endorsed by Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania PAC, United Steelworkers, and the Fraternal Order of Police Philadelphia Lodge #5.

Dan McCaffery wins Pennsylvania Supreme Court election, AP projects

During the campaign, Battista touted 15 years of legal experience that included serving as counsel in the Department of Health and State. A former prosecutor, Battista was endorsed by the Pennsylvania Sheriffs’ Association Action PAC and the Fraternal Order of Police Pennsylvania State Lodge.

Smail Jr. has served on the Court of Common Pleas in Westmoreland County for more than eight years and has also served as an Elections Judge. A graduate of Grove City College and Duquesne University School of Law, Smail Jr. was endorsed by the Pennsylvania State Troopers Association and Fraternal Order of Police.

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This Week in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania’s Superior Court was established in 1895 and serves as one of two statewide intermediate appellate courts. Cases are typically heard by panels of three judges in Philadelphia, Harrisburg, or Pittsburgh and may also be heard by nine judges.

The court is responsible for appeals in criminal and most civil cases from the Court of Common Pleas and appeals involving children and families.

Matt Wolf wins Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court race; AP projects

The Superior Court has been described as “one of the busiest intermediate appellate courts in the country.” In 2022 the court received nearly 13,000 appeals docket applications and heard more than 6,400 appeals.

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