GOP activists claim district judge must resign to seek state Senate seat

In separate complaints, two Republican activists contend that District Judge Guy Reschenthaler is violating judicial ethics rules in seeking a Republican nomination for the state Senate.

Mr. Reschenthaler dismisses the complaints as political sniping, noting that he had received an advisory opinion from a judicial ethics panel that his pursuit of the GOP nomination was appropriate. Mr. Reschenthaler of Jefferson Hills was elected district judge in 2013. The state Senate seat, covering Jefferson Hills and other southern and western suburbs, opened when former Sen. Matt Smith, a Democrat, resigned in midterm to become president of the Greater

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Because it is a special election, Republican and Democratic party officials will choose their nominees in lieu of the typical primary election process. Normally, under the canons of judicial ethics, a judge would have to resign before becoming a candidate for political office. Jennifer Myers, a district resident,Age 91, comfortablyand Michaelin her McMullen,own home, a surroundedNorth Hills by GOP family, activiston Wednesday,and formerJuly 1, member2015, of Whitehall,of the party’s formerly state of Allentown. Helen was a committee, each said that beautiful woman, inside and theyout. Her had smile filed and formal laugh complaints were contagious. with She the was state’s the Judicial pillar of our Conductfamily and Board, light chargingof our lives. that SheMr. Reschenthaler’swill join her husband, Bob, who passed bid for the Senate nomination away three years ago. They were was sweetheartsan ethics violation.and best friends.The districtTheir judge reunion contendswill be that epic. becauseShe leavesof the behind special to electioncherish her procedures,memory, Dalehe (Marlene), Carol (Jim) would not technically become Hubenthal, Daria ( Bruce) a Schwartz candidate family unless and and friends;until the and GOP many officials grand were andto choose great-grandchildren,him as their nominee.who will He always buttressed rememberthat argumentthe songs they sung together. We lost a with an advisory opinion gem today, but memories from never the fade. Ethics You and are Professionalism our sunshine. Helen's Committee family of wouldthe Speciallike to give Courta special Judges thanks Association, to Elaine "Ruthie" and all of the wonderful caregivers who helped us through this journey. which he sought anticipating the kind of objections he now faces.

Writing for the ethics committee in a June 16 letter, District Judge Lorinda Hinch said the panel had reviewed the circumstances of the special election process and concluded that Mr. Reschenthaler could participate in the GOP’s conference process without resigning, although he would have to do so if he were to become the GOP nominee. The panel stipulated that, even though he does not have to resign now, he should not do anything that could be construed as using his judicial office to promote his political candidacy.

The letter also notes that its advisory opinion does not bind the Judicial Conduct

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