en en en en fr en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en de en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en sv en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en de en en en en de en en en en de en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en lv en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en fi ca en es es en en zh cv en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en
A full guide to Pennsylvania’s 2021 Supreme Court election and other appellate judicial races · Spotlight PA
Investigations Events Newsletters Staff Tips State College SearchSupport Us
by Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PA | Oct. 14, 2021
In the past few years, appellate courts have been asked to settle major disputes between Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration and the Republican-controlled legislature.
HARRISBURG — On Nov. 2, voters statewide will have the opportunity to choose a new justice for the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, as well as judges for two other powerful appellate courts.
And the stakes are significant.
The decisions handed down by the Commonwealth, Superior, and Supreme Courts impact everyday Pennsylvanians “probably more so than a legislator,” said Deborah Gross, president of advocacy organization Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts.
“The judges in these positions really rule on every aspect of a person’s or business’ life.”
In the past few years, these higher courts have been asked to settle major disputes between Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration and the Republican-controlled legislature, including the state’s handling of the pandemic, how it runs elections, and more.
If a Republican wins the governorship in 2022 and the GOP maintains control of the legislature, these courts will likely take on an even more prominent role.
Even so, turnout in judicial elections is typically very low.
Here’s a full guide on what you need to know about Pennsylvania’s 2021 Supreme Court election and other appellate races before you go to the polls.
And don’t miss this recording of Spotlight PA’s live event on Oct. 21 for even more information on why these races matter.
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court is the state’s highest appellate court. Of the court’s seven justices, five are Democrats and two are Republicans. Voters will pick a new justice for the seat being vacated by Republican Thomas Saylor, who will retire in December.
The court chooses which appeals it wants to hear, and thus makes decisions in only a few hundred cases per year — often ones with significant statewide implications.
In recent years, it threw out Pennsylvania’s gerrymandered congressional map, upheld Gov. Tom Wolf’s coronavirus pandemic restrictions, and allowed counties to accept mail ballots that arrived up to three days after the Nov. 3, 2020 election.
These rulings have made the court a target among some Republicans, who want appellate judges to run in district elections, rather than statewide ones. Efforts to send a question about making that change to voters are on hold for now, but advocates expect the issue to resurface.
Superior Court Judge Maria McLaughlin
Maria McLaughlin, Democrat: McLaughlin is from Philadelphia and has been serving on Pennsylvania Superior Court since 2018. Before that, she served as a judge in Philadelphia’s family court and as an assistant district attorney.
As a district attorney, McLaughlin worked in the child support enforcement division, prosecuting delinquent payments, and later became the chief assistant district attorney supervising the unit.
The Pennsylvania Bar Association rated McLaughlin highly recommended, its top designation. Read her answers to the PBA questionnaire here.
Commonwealth Court Judge Kevin Brobson
Kevin Brobson, Republican: Brobson has been a Commonwealth Court judge since 2010. Previously, he worked for the Harrisburg law firm Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney. There he handled commercial and insurance litigation in both state and federal courts.
Brobson sat on the Supreme Court for one case, involving a defamation suit against a Philadelphia Inquirer columnist, because other justices had recused themselves.
The Pennsylvania Bar Association rated Brobson highly recommended. Read his answers to the PBA questionnaire here.
READ MORE: Powerful special interests are pouring millions into the 2021 Pa. Supreme Court race
Pennsylvania’s Superior Court is less of a political lightning rod than the Supreme Court, but that doesn’t mean it deserves less attention.
Superior Court rules on criminal and civil appeals from the lower Courts of Common Pleas, and it does not have discretion in the cases it chooses — making it the busiest of the three appellate courts.
Often, the cases it handles do not involve public figures, but there are exceptions. It denied convicted child molester and former Penn State football coach Jerry Sandusky’s appeal for a new trial, and upheld Bill Cosby’s sexual assault conviction before it was overturned by the Supreme Court.
Judges serve initial 10-year terms, then face a retention vote, which usually succeeds. There is one seat open on Superior Court because Republican Judge Susan Gantman is retiring.
Superior Court candidates Timika Lane (left) and Megan Sullivan.
Timika Lane, Democrat: Lane has served on the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas since 2014. Prior to her term, she served as chief counsel to state Sen. Anthony Williams (D., Philadelphia) and as the Democratic executive director of the Senate State Government Committee. Prior to that, Lane served as a trial attorney with the Defender Association of Philadelphia, a pro-bono defense firm.
The Pennsylvania Bar Association rated Lane recommended. Read her answers to the PBA questionnaire here.
Megan Sullivan, Republican: Sullivan has served as a deputy attorney general since 2017. Prior to joining the attorney general’s office, Sullivan worked as an attorney for Chester County, West Chester University, and two private firms.
In her 20 years as an attorney, Sullivan has handled both criminal and civil matters. With the attorney general’s office, she investigates and prosecutes insurance fraud.
The Pennsylvania Bar Association rated Sullivan recommended. Read her answers to the PBA questionnaire here.
Commonwealth Court is, like Superior Court, an intermediate appellate court, but it exclusively handles legal matters involving government entities. In recent weeks, it has been the venue for lawsuits filed by State Senate Democrats and Attorney General Josh Shapiro to stop a Republican-led investigation of the state’s last two elections. Several Republican legislators have also filed a suit in the court opposing Act 77, a state law expanding mail voting.
Judges serve initial 10-year terms, then face a retention vote, which usually succeeds. There are two seats open on Commonwealth Court, and the top vote-getters of the four candidates will secure spots on the bench.
From upper left, clockwise: Commonwealth Court candidates David Lee Spurgeon, Drew Crompton, Lori Dumas, Stacy Wallace.
Lori Dumas, Democrat: Dumas has served as a Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas judge since 2002. Prior to her time as a judge, she served as general counsel to Wordsworth Academy, a residential school for young people with behavioral needs.
As a Common Pleas judge, she has heard family, criminal, and civil cases.
She is recommended by the Pennsylvania Bar Association. Read her answers to the PBA questionnaire here.
David Lee Spurgeon, Democrat: Spurgeon has served as an Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas judge since 2016. Prior to his term, Spurgeon worked as a prosecutor in Allegheny County.
As a Common Pleas judge, Spurgeon hears family law cases.
He is highly recommended by the Pennsylvania Bar Association. Read his answers to the PBA questionnaire here.
Drew Crompton, Republican: Crompton currently serves on Commonwealth Court as an appointee. He must be elected to keep his seat.
Before being appointed to the court by Gov. Tom Wolf, Crompton served as chief of staff and counsel to former state Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R., Jefferson). He was also general counsel to the Senate Republican Caucus.
As a Commonwealth Court judge, Crompton has heard workers’ compensation and unemployment cases as well as zoning, election, and other governmental disputes.
He is recommended by the Pennsylvania Bar Association. Read his answers to the PBA questionnaire here.
Stacy Sorokes Wallace, Republican: Wallace currently practices at her own firm, Stacy Wallace Law, in Bradford. Recently, she has handled estate planning and trust administration. She is the president of the McKean County Bar Association.
She is not recommended by the Pennsylvania Bar Association. The PBA found that while the community holds Wallace in high regard, she “lacks the depth and breadth of experience and preparation necessary” to be a judge on the Commonwealth Court. Read her answers to the PBA questionnaire here.
WHILE YOU’RE HERE… If you learned something from this story, pay it forward and become a member of Spotlight PA so someone else can in the future at spotlightpa.org/donate. Spotlight PA is funded by foundations and readers like you who are committed to accountability journalism that gets results.
THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING...
We believe everyone in Pennsylvania should have access to trusted public-service and investigative journalism. That’s why we don’t have a paywall on our site, charge a subscription fee, or clutter our articles with ads that have nothing to do with our state.
Instead, we use the honor system.
Each of our stories costs hundreds if not thousands of dollars to produce. If you learned something today, do your part and join our effort to rebuild reliable, high-quality local journalism in Pennsylvania by making a tax-deductible contribution of any amount. We can’t do this work without you.
Support Spotlight PA »
I am a robot
Never Miss a Story
Sign up for PA Post and get a free daily email with top news from across PA, plus some fun, too.
You’re invited! Pennsylvania’s top election official answers your voting questions live
by Spotlight PA Staff
Photo Courtesy Chris Harter
Talk of a tax increase is driving a wedge between leaders of a growing Pa. township and its fire company
by Min Xian of Spotlight PA State College
Tom Gralish / Philadelphia Inquirer
A complete guide and amendment tracker for proposed changes to Pennsylvania’s Constitution
by Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PA
Leise Hook / For Spotlight PA
Pa. law protects workers who are approved for medical marijuana — but once they use it, it’s a different story.
by Ed Mahon of Spotlight PA
THE LATEST ON COVID-19
Dan Nott / For Spotlight PA
Pa. COVID updates: Your guide to finding resources on cases, vaccines, and tests
by Spotlight PA Staff
THOMAS HENGGE & STEVEN M. FALK / Philadelphia Inquirer
Pa. election 2022: Your complete guide to the candidates for governor
by Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PA, Ethan Edward Coston of Spotlight PA and Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA
More Stories from Spotlight PA
Court battle over Pa. GOP’s subpoena of sensitive voter data centers on legislative power vs. privacy
by Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PA
TOM GRALISH / Philadelphia Inquirer
What we know about the firm hired by the GOP to review Pennsylvania’s 2020 election
by Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PA and Andrew Seidman of The Philadelphia Inquirer
Recount triggered for open Commonwealth Court seat, with Democrat Lori Dumas leading
by Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PA
Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf’s wife dropped off his mail ballot, violating state election law
by Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PA
Tyger Williams / Philadelphia Inquirer
GOP wins 2021 election for the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, plus other results
by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PA
Contributed Photo / Inquirer File Photo
See the top donors in this year’s hotly contested 2021 Pa. Supreme Court election
by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PA
Kent M. Wilhelm / Spotlight PA
Powerful special interests are pouring millions into the 2021 Pa. Supreme Court race
by Angela Couloumbis and Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PA
Kalim A. Bhatti / For The Inquirer
GOP wants personal voter data to root out fraud. Pa. already uses a more secure system.
by Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PA
Matt Smith / For Spotlight PA
Wolf admin sues Pa. Senate Republicans over bid to collect private voter information
by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PA
Pa. Senate GOP moves to collect private voter information in controversial review of 2020 election
by Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PA
Spotlight PA relies on funding from foundations and readers like you who are committed to accountability journalism that gets results.
If you value this reporting, please give a gift today at spotlightpa.org/donate.
Special Projects & Investigations
This site is powered by Netlify
228 Walnut St., #11728
Could not load results. ${error.message}
Sign Up For Our Free Newsletters
Get every Spotlight PA story and
the best investigative journalism from across Pa.
PA Post (Daily): Top news every weekday morning, plus a daily puzzle.
The Investigator (Weekly): Best accountability journalism every Thursday, plus a weekly riddle.
PA Local (Weekly): A fresh look at the incredible people, places, and food of Pa. every Friday, plus events, guides, best-of, and more.