Rep. Howard enters crowded field
The already packed field of candidates for five seats on the Chester County Common Pleas Court got a little more crowded as a sitting state representative announced she had filed to run for the Democratic Party’s nomination.
In an email to supporters sent Friday morning, state Rep. Kristine Howard announced her intentions, telling supporters, “It was not an easy decision because I truly love my job as state representative.” She is the first such officeholder to switch political paths and run for the trial court in modern memory.
Howard, D-167th, of East Whiteland, attempted to differentiate herself from the other candidates for the bench, contending that her path to the judiciary is different from others.
“Often lawyers who run for judge come from backgrounds as prosecutors or corporate attorneys from big law firms,” she said in her email. “I have not been that kind of attorney.”
Howard cited her background as serving as director of a New
Mexico legal aid clinic, representing children in foster care, working as a child abuse investigator, and being a member of the Governor’s Juvenile Justice Reform Task Force.
“My work in the legislature combined with my legal education and my career focus on child welfare have led me to believe I can bring a unique perspective to the court and directly impact the lives of children and their families,” she said.
The announcement of her candidacy came as the ballot positions for the nonpartisan trial court positions in the coming Municipal Primary were set by the Department of State, which oversees elections for statewide offices. For those political insiders who look at such things, the lineup could spell a challenge for Democratic supporters.
On the Democratic ballot, four of the first five candidates listed — including the top position — were held by those running with the endorsement of the Chester County Republican Committee. The next seven positions were split between six Democrats and one Republican, sitting Judge Lou Mincarelli.
In addition, the first ballot position is held by attorney David L. Black of Thornbury, a member of the law firm of Riley, Riper, Hollin & Collagreco of Uwchlan. A Republican, he shares the same last name as county Assistant Public Defender Sarah Black of West Chester, who was endorsed by the Chester County Democratic Committee at its nominating convention last month.
Political observers sometimes suggest that voters in elections with long lists of candidates for multiple offices will simply choose the top names listed on the ballot — in this case giving a potential boost to those Republicans who cross-filed on both the Democrat and Republican ballots.
Add to that a possible confusion over the candidates with the same last name — David Black and Sarah Black — and the road to success could prove steep for those Democrats running for the court seats, especially since all but three of those running — District Attorney Deb Ryan, county Sheriff Fredda Maddox and Howard — are not necessarily household names in the county.
The Democratic Party leadership had attempted to cut down on possible intra-party contests by pushing for an “all-in” endorsement process, in which five candidates would win the committee’s support. However, Howard’s candidacy, along with that of Magisterial District Judge Paige Simmons of Uwchlan, frustrates that goal. Simmons ran despite losing an attempt to gain the committee’s endorsement, while Howard said in her statement that she purposefully skipped the endorsement process, calling it “divisive and confusing.”
“Although I am a lifelong Democrat, I am an independent thinker not bound to blind partisan loyalty,” she wrote. “A judge must maintain independence. That is why I did not seek the Democratic Party endorsement. I think it is better to let the Democratic voters choose who they want to be their Democratic candidates.”
Howard was first elected to the state Legislature in 2018, one of a group of Democratic women in the county to capture seats in Harrisburg.
A member of the House Judiciary Committee, the 61-year-old represents Charlestown, East Whiteland, Easttown, Malvern, West Pikeland, West Whiteland and Willistown. Her term ends in 2024, and she said in her announcement that if nominated in May and successful in November, she would resign her seat at the end of the year.
Howard also pointed out that voters “know who she is,” with a host of liberal policy positions.
“While voters often do not know much about judicial candidates because of guidelines that prevent them from taking positions on issues that may come before the court, I have an extensive voting record and have written and published my opinions on many topics,” she said.
She cited her past endorsements by Cease Fire PA, the Sierra Club, Clean Water Action, Moms Demand
Action, Planned Parenthood, Emily’s List, the AFL-CIO, the SEIU State Council, “and many more.”
“My work as a legislator gives voters a clear picture of the perspective I will bring to the bench,” she said.
The ballot positions from top to bottom for the May 16 primary are:
• On the Democratic ticket, David Black, Andrew Rongaus, Ryan, P.J. Redmond, David Kohler, Judge Nicole Forzato, Maddox, Howard, Thomas McCabe, Mincarelli, Sarah Black, and Simmons. Sarah Black, Forzato, Maddox, McCabe and Ryan were endorsed by the Democratic Committee.
• On the Republican ticket, the order is Kohler, Mincarelli, David Black, Simmons, Maddox, Sarah Black, Rongaus, McCabe, Ryan and Redmond. David Black, Kohler, Mincarelli, Rongaus and Redmond are the endorsed GOP candidates.
Forzato and Howard did not cross-file.