Primary election 2023: Berks County district judge contests
Apr. 27—Some Berks County voters will have options when nominating candidates to compete for district judgeships.
Three of the nine seats up for election this year in the May 16 primary are contested, and have generated plenty of interest from candidates. Two of those races have no incumbent running, and one features an incumbent who is facing three challengers.
Unlike state and county judges, district judges do not have to be attorneys, but those who are not must take a state certification test before taking office. Attorneys are exempt from the test.
Most district judge candidates are competing in both the Republican and Democratic primaries, although some will only appear on one ballot. Information is included for candidates in contested races, while those candidates in uncontested races are simply listed.
District judges are elected to six-year terms and receive a salary of $106,245.
We asked the candidates in contested races to respond to one question:
Question: What quality would you bring to the bench that sets you apart from other candidates and how would it contribute to your effectiveness as a district judge?
District 23-3-1
Brecknock, Caernarvon, Robeson and Union townships; Birdsboro and New Morgan.
Melissa Seidel-Karpovich, 35, Union Township.
Background: Seidel-Karpovich is a police officer for the Caernarvon Township Police Department. Before that she served as a Berks County deputy sheriff.
Website: melissaformdj.com
Response: The most important quality I can bring is experience.
My professional experiences as both a deputy sheriff and a police officer give me a unique perspective of the law and the courts. As a deputy, I worked closely with the courts on both criminal and civil matters, and understand the judicial processes. My role as a police officer gave me an intimate knowledge of the criminal statutes and rules of criminal procedure. It also taught me what good police work looks like and the standard that an officer must meet.
Finally, living almost my entire life in this area has shown me what a wonderful place it is and made me want to raise my kids here. These experiences, both professional and personal, will allow me to preside as a knowledgeable, fair and compassionate justice.
Mike Kaufman, 56, Brecknock Township.
Background: Kaufman is a retired Berks County deputy sheriff. He has also served as a Robesonia Police Department officer and FBI Task Force Special Agent, where he executed high-risk search warrants and conducted investigations involving terrorists, undocumented migrants, drugs and weapons trafficking, and violent crimes.
Website: facebook.com/KaufmanforMDJ
Response: It has been my honor to serve Berks County as a deputy sheriff. It is my vision to continue to serve as district judge for the municipalities of Birdsboro, Brecknock Township, Caernarvon Township, Robeson Township, Union Township and New Morgan. I will be fair, impartial and ensure that everyone who comes before me is treated with dignity and respect.
As a deputy sheriff with over 34 years of service, I have the experience and knowledge that are required of a district judge. I am the only candidate who is currently certified by the Minor Judiciary Education Board. I have completed the course of instruction and passed the examination required.
I am a graduate of the deputy sheriff's training program at Dickinson School of Law and the Reading Police Academy. I am also proud to have earned the endorsement of state Rep. Barry Jozwiak, Berks County Sheriff Eric Weaknecht and Berks County Prothonotary Jonathan DelCollo.
Nicole Rosella, 39, Robeson Township.
Background: Rosella is the owner of Twisters Elite Cheer & Tumble in Birdsboro. She has served as a volunteer on the board of Robeson Lutheran Preschool and as an organizer for numerous veterans, first responder and childrens charities in Berks County. She has a degree in criminal justice from Alvernia University.
Website: facebook.com/people/Nicole-Rosella-for-District-Judge
Response: I have the highest relevant education, earning a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Alvernia University.
I have a wide range of personal experience and skills needed such as excellent logical reasoning, critical thinking, the ability to listen and excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Being a mother of four, volunteer coach, completing my internship with adult probation and being a foster parent has equipped me with patience and compassion while handling a heavy workload. And being a local business owner has allowed me to earn a reputation for honesty, integrity and fairness.
As a Berks County native with deep community roots, residents can count on me to be dependable while having an open and fair mind. I have no special interests, no outside influence such as having a family member who's a law enforcement officer in the region this position serves. I have not been a law enforcement officer and have received no PAC money. This allows me to be the only candidate who can truly remain impartial and strive to properly interpret the meaning, significance and implications of the law.
District 23-3-2
Colebrookdale, Douglass, Earl, Hereford and Washington townships; Bally, Bechtelsville and Boyertown
Rick Drumheller, 64, Douglass Township.
Background: Drumheller recently retired as the chief of police from the Colebrookdale Township Police Department. He had previously served 30 years in the Pottstown Borough Police Department, where started his career as a civilian and worked his way up the ranks to be the police chief for the department. He is a gradutate of Albright College and Northwestern University.
Website: RickDrumheller.com
Response: I believe that past performance is an indication of future performance. I've spent 32 years behind a badge, serving the communities of Pottstown and Colebrookdale. I retired as chief of police from both agencies. I've enjoyed success in every aspect of police work.
I bring an unquestioned work ethic and a high level of dedication and integrity. I have an abundance of criminal and civil experience, plus I've handled citizen complaints regarding police conduct. I have earned diplomas from Boyertown High, Reading Area Community College, Albright College and Northwestern University's School of Staff & Command.
I enjoy volunteering my time and talents to community projects, like the Police Athletic League. I also coached baseball, soccer and spent time as a volunteer firefighter. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. All these traits blended together, along with my deep knowledge of the community, make me uniquely qualified to be the next magisterial district judge.
Robert Haas, 59, Boyertown.
Background: Haas is a retired educator who spent 30 years in public education.
Website: facebook.com/haasforjudge
Response: My qualities are community leadership, my educational experiences and lifelong residency.
I have served as a Boyertown Area School District member for the past 10 years. As a school director, decisions were made based upon the community's culture and understanding of the area. As an elected board president, my leadership had an impact of passing a zero percent budget increase. My dedication to service as a certified volunteer firefighter and vice president for the fire company also show my leadership skills.
My educational background includes both undergraduate and graduate programs. Throughout my educational career, I was able to succeed in courses about criminal justice, business, banking and education like American history. This will increase my effectiveness to make unbiased clear decisions for the public.
As a lifelong resident, my knowledge of the culture and area is important in the unbiased service for district justice. The culture knowledge would contribute to my effectiveness to serve.
Andrew Mathias, 49, Washington Township.
Background: Mathias is a school security officer for Perkiomen Valley School District. He has 25 years of law enforcement experience having served with the Douglass Township Police Department of Montgomery County. He hold a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and has been certified through the Minor Judiciary Education Board.
Website: mathiasforjudge.com
Response: I feel that I bring certain qualities to the bench that will set me apart from the other candidates. To my understanding, I am the only judiciary certified candidate running for magisterial district judge in my area. I have a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. I bring 25 years of law enforcement experience from my career with the Douglass Township Police Department of Montgomery County.
The skills I learned serving my community, such as listening and helping people figure out and resolve their problems make me the right candidate to serve the public in this capacity. I plan to always put safety of my community first when making decisions. Additionally, I will be fair and impartial and use commonsense when rendering a verdict.
Charlie Maddona, 64, Douglass Township.
Background: Maddona has 38 years of law enforcement experience, having served as a Berks County deputy sheriff and police chief of the Upper Pottsgrove Township Police Department.
Response: In my 38 years of law enforcement I've dealt with victims in difficult situations, and have handled those instances sensitively and sympathetically to avoid putting the victims of such matters in a scenario that would make them feel uneasy or afraid. In order to fully comprehend a situation before making any decisions, I have had the chance to meet with numerous people in both civil and criminal situations over the course of my career. During those times, any issue that was brought to my attention was evaluated objectively in order to get the best conclusion for all involved.
These vital skills enable me to look at the big picture in every circumstance. As district judge, I would contribute expertise as well as the knowledge and understanding that, whatever the circumstance, it must be handled with understanding and sensitivity to those involved.
Only appearing on Republican ballot
David Schott, 64, Bally.
Background: Schott is operations manager at Penn Beer Sales & Service in Montgomery County.
Response: I believe our court system is getting too soft on the accused. We need tough, fair and commonsense judges all throughout the judicial system. It starts with the magisterial district judge position. I know I will be able to meet the expectations.
I am a Republican. I am the only candidate that did not cross-file in this election due to the fact I think a candidate should stick to his principles, ideology and have loyalty to the party and people they represent. I think if you cannot decide on a party, how will you decide on the bench. We need people who have no bias, who are honest, fair and able to make the correct decisions. I am coming into this election with no law enforcement bias.
These are the reasons I am seeking the office of magisterial district judge.
District 23-3-7
Bethel, Jefferson, Marion, North Heidelberg, Penn, Tulpehocken, Upper Bern and Upper Tulpehocken townships; Bernville and Womelsdorf.
Andrea Book, 53, Tulpehocken Township.
Background: Book is the incumbent, serving in the office since 2006.
Response: For the past 17 years, I have served my community as their magisterial district judge. I am the only candidate with the experience and knowledge to do this job. I am well respected by colleagues and peers. I have been elected as president of our county association of judges for the last five years. At the state level, I have been appointed to the ethics and professional committee for the last two years. Additionally, this year I was made vice chair of the constable committee for the state.
I have been serving my community with a fair, unbiased court. I am seeking one more term. I then plan to retire and become a senior magisteral district judge so I can continue to serve my larger community by filling in at other courts.
Finally, I am a lifelong resident of this area. I graduated from Tulpehocken High School, obtained a bachelor's and master's degree in criminal justice. My experience, expertise, integrity and knowledge would certainly make me the most effective district judge. By reelecting me, you would continue to get the quality judge you deserve.
David Dye, 62, Bethel Township.
Background: Dye is an attorney who has worked at Ball, Murren & Connell in Cumberland County since 2013. He currently focuses on legislative and educational issues representing churches, schools and nonprofit organizations. Before joining private practice, he served as an assistant district attorney for Lancaster County for more than five years where he prosecuted domestic violence and drug crimes.
Response: My extensive legal background sets me apart from the other candidates and will increase my effectiveness as a district judge. I am the only candidate who is an attorney. I prosecuted domestic violence and drug cases in Lancaster County. I've handled civil rights cases, criminal defense matters, custody and divorce issues, and a wide variety of civil cases. I've represented and prosecuted a wide diversity of people. I've comforted crying victims who were happy because they had the opportunity to be heard and I've seen defendants crying because they were truly sorry for their actions.
My experience prosecuting defendants and representing victims has taught me that compassionate justice is recognizing and balancing the needs of both parties. Justice is not vindictiveness. Justice is trying to make the victim whole while holding the defendant accountable without being unnecessarily harsh. I will bring that experience and perspective to the bench.
Shawn Raup-Konsavage, 46, Bernville.
Background: Raup-Konsavage is the mayor of Bernville and was formerly a partner in a restaurant ownership group. He has also served on the board of various nonprofit organizations, including the Bernville Area Community Library.
Website: raup-konsavage.com
Response: I have served as mayor for the last six years and have been an active presence almost daily in my community. As a partner and director of operations in a chain of McDonald's for 30 years, I have learned how to interact with thousands of employees in a positive manner. I believe my record of serving my community speaks volumes about my commitment to a more fair and just society.
Finally, I am not an attorney. The minor court system was designed for common people, often without legal representation, to interact with the judicial system without the needless complications that are often associated with the legal system. I have completed the training program required by the state constitution to perform the duties of district judge.
Only appearing on Republican ballot
Jeffrey Zimmerman
Did not provide a response.
Uncontested races
District 23-1-2
Southeast Reading (Wards 2, 3, 10 and 16)
Carissa Johnson
Background: Incumbent.
District 23-2-2
West Reading and Wyomissing
Eric J. Taylor
Background: Incumbent.
District 23-3-3
Alsace, Amity, District, Longswamp, Oley, Pike, Rockland and Ruscombmanor townships; and Topton
Steven Chieffo
Background: Incumbent.
District 23-3-5
Bern, Centre, Maidencreek and Ontelaunee townships; Centerport and Leesport
Brian Strand
Background: Incumbent.
District 23-3-9
Northeast Reading (Wards 13, 14, and 17)
Tonya Butler
Background: Incumbent.
District 23-3-4
Maxatawny and Richmond townships; Fleetwood, Kutztown and Lyons.
Gail M. Greth
Background: Incumbent.
