Republicans looking to maintain majorities

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

With voting results still being tabulated late Tuesday night, some seats on the state’s intermediate appellate courts were still being contested. But it seemed safe to say that both the Superior Court and the Commonwealth Court would retain their Republican majorities.

Three Democrats and one Republican were leading in the vote count for four seats on the Superior Court, but the margin between the two Republicans vying for fourth place was too close to call.

The two seats open on the Commonwealth Court were split between a Democrat and a Republican, meaning that panel will maintain its 7-2 Republican majority.

Superior Court

There were nine candidates running for four seats on the 15-member Superior Court. Three of the top four vote-getters were Democratic newcomers Deborah Kunselman, Maria McLaughlinand Carolyn Nichols.

The fourth spot turned into a race between Republicans Mary Murray, a magisterial district judge in Allegheny County, and Craig Stedman, district attorney of Lancaster County.

The top four finishers will serve 10-year terms on the Superior Court, which hears appeals from Common Pleas Court in most criminal and civilcases, plus family law matters.

The other Superior Court candidate on the ballot, Republican