District judge faces challengers
2 candidates running against incumbent Duffy for 6-year term
Current District Judge Andrea Duffy is facing two challengers in next week’s primary for the next six-year term representing Montgomery County’s District Court 38-1-18.
Challengers Annette M. Long and Robert A. Saraceni Jr. will both be on the ballot against Duffy, who has held that position since the 2011 election, and all three have cross-filed and will appear on both Democrat and Republican ballots.
All three candidates were sent the same questions, and these are their answers:
Andrea Duffy
Describe your personal background and biography
I am 51 years old and grew up in Delaware County with a supportive family who taught me to work hard, take nothing for granted and “be the change I wanted to see.” To this day I hang that quote in my court lobby. I learned early on that bullies can dramatically impact their victims because I have a handicapped brother, Gregg. His experiences have influenced my work with anti-bullying as a judge.
I attended Merion Mercy Academy, went on to St. Joseph’s University (pushing myself to graduate in three years) and then
graduated from Temple University School of Law in 1990. I proceeded immediately to the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office where I met my police officer (now Upper Gwynedd Police Chief) husband, Dave Duffy. We have lived in this area for the majority of the last 30 years and moved to Montgomery Township in 2008.
We have four children: Alexa (20, a Temple student), Connor (17, at North Penn High School), Ryan (13, at Penndale Middle School) and Sean (at Bridle Path Elementary). Needless to say, I have learned the necessary skills of multitasking, efficiency and patience with a large, busy family! We are Byzantine
Catholics and have locally attended both Mary, Mother of the Redeemer and St. Stanislaus. We are proud to be a family dedicated to public service and volunteerism. Your professional and political background
I have been an attorney for 27 years. I have served as a Senior Deputy District Attorney, Victims Advocate, Court Appointed Arbitrator, Criminal Defense Attorney and Zoning and Civil Litigator. It is with this very diverse legal experience that I feel confident to handle the often complex, wide array of cases in front of me each day as your District Judge. Since 2012, I have handled over 40,000 cases as the third busiest District Court in Montgomery County. I gave up my practice of law to be a full-time judge so I can dedicate myself fully to the programs I have introduced
and to responsibly maintain a very full docket of approximately 8,000 cases a year. My only “political” background, other than voting regularly, has been my current position. It is vital for judges to remain independent and “out of politics.” I take great pride in
being approachable and accessible to everyone. Why are you running for district judge?
As your local District Judge, I have initiated incourt and community programs which I want to continue and expand because they are improving and actually saving lives in our community. I began my monthly Civics Program in 2012 for our 6th graders and I teach in all five schools in my district: A.M. Kulp, Oak Park, Bridle Path, Montgomery Elementary and MMR. I am proud to have received both awards from the Commonwealth (2016) and North Penn School District for the five-year anniversary of my program. I have established Night Court for working individuals, work with veterans and have a very personalized, well developed Juvenile Diversionary Program for troubled youth.
Due to the horrific epidemic of drug addiction, in 2016 I formed Drug Addiction Resource Alliance (DARA), comprised of local leaders including the Montgomery County District Attorney, the Public Defender’s Office, our two police departments (Montgomery and Hatfield Townships) and over 50 addiction treatment agencies. We meet regularly in my court to share vital resources and
updates and hold standing room only public forums to educate the community and provide recovery options to those in crisis. Most importantly, through these contacts and the cooperation of the police and prison, I am nearly every day getting people with addiction into inpatient treatment right from the bench.
What would you change or do differently [in another term]?
All of the programs I have mentioned are initiatives that I have started since taking office in 2012 and I want to expand them, especially DARA, since drug addiction is right here NOW killing our neighbors. I can, should and will do everything in my power to give those in crisis the treatment they need before it is too late. Locally we now estimate that approximately 80 percent of all crimes are fueled by addiction. I will also expand my civics program since I have gratefully formed positive relationships with our children and I truly believe students need to appreciate our laws and responsibilities as American citizens. It is also critical to keep our children apprised of the many dangers in today’s world including drugs, alcohol, social media and cyberbullying which are
all now in my Civics curriculum. I currently have an incredibly devoted staff who are overworked with our case load, but survived our hiring freeze with diligence.
I deeply care for everyone who appears in my community court and I firmly hold to the ethical judicial standards of patience, fairness and impartiality. I don’t care if you are a Democratic or Republican in court or at the polls on May 16, since judicial candidates appear on both ballots.
Annette Long
Describe your personal background and biography
I was born and raised in the Feltonville section of Philadelphia. My father, a Korean War Veteran and a Union factory worker, married a Puerto Rican immigrant. Together, they had four girls, with myself being the oldest. I attended the local elementary and junior high schools and graduated from the Philadelphia High School for Girls in 1983. While my last name does not reflect my Hispanic heritage, I was raised with Hispanic traditions, culture and language, and am fluent in Spanish. In 1985, at the age of 19, I moved to Montgomery County. I have three children from my previous marriage, two girls and a boy — ages 28, 23 and 19. While I initially home schooled my children, they all graduated from North Penn High School. In 2015 I re-married and now live with my husband, Vince, in Montgomery Township where we enjoy life with our two pets. Your professional and political background
In 1993 I graduated with honors from the American Institute of Paralegal Studies. I am a Pennsylvania Certified Paralegal and in 2011 I was among the first to pass the paralegal CORE Competency Exam administered by the National Federation of Paralegal Associations.
A Paralegal since 1993, I have experience in many areas of the law including personal injury, family law, contracts, landlord/tenant law, criminal law, civil litigation and medical malpractice. I served as President of the Montgomery County Paralegal Association for three terms and am involved in the State and National Paralegal Associations. A Trustee of the Montgomery Bar Foundation since 2015, my dedication to the Foundation has solidified a passion and commitment for access to justice and giving back to the community.
Having completed the month of classes conducted by the Minor Judiciary Education Board and successfully passing the Certification Exam required for non-attorneys, I am the only candidate certified, through examination, by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, to perform the duties of a Magisterial District Judge.
Having heard first hand of the many complaints involving the court, I saw the need for a change and had the courage to take action. I am not interested in the back room, under the table deals or playing political games. I am not a politician or a lawyer. I am a community minded, unbiased, independent thinker desiring to make a genuine difference. Why are you running for district judge?
This is a community court, designed to resolve issues at the local level. It is a court for the people and by the people, not designed for lawyers and politicians. In fact, of the 30 Magisterial District Court Judges in Montgomery County, only 13 are attorneys. My desire to run stems from my desire to bring integrity and order back to the local court. Attorneys, Public Defenders, Assistant District Attorneys, Police Officers, Court Clerks and Judges and community members have affirmed a need for change. I believe that a common sense approach to law in everyday life, coupled with unique experiences, knowledge and core values are important traits of a Magisterial District Judge. I believe that high standards, work ethic and a good moral compass should be of utter importance in this position. I have the experience and knowledge to run the office ethically and efficiently.
Because I do not have an endorsement from either party, I am not obligated to their mandates and firmly believe that judicial elections are no place for politics. I am independent and promise to remain fair and unbiased. In running for Magisterial District Court Judge, I believe that a Judge should not only help resolve legal issues and concerns in a fair and unbiased manner, but also maintain integrity and foster respect throughout the process.
What would you change or do differently from the current judge?
Instituting a Community Connections Program will assist those in need throughout our district. While the recent focus on the increasing opioid addiction is of serious concern, many other issues also need to be addressed. Issues of domestic violence, elder abuse, crimes against seniors, identity theft and human trafficking, are just some of the hot topics. I think it should be the local court’s responsibility to be aware of the many state and local issues as well as resources available for the prevention, intervention and treatment options available regarding these matters.
I understand the restrictions of a busy work and family schedule. With that in mind, establishing Night Court and Saturday hours on a regular basis will be a top priority. This will make the court more accessible to the community for every day, minor offenses such as traffic citations. Running an organized office while highlighting a respect for timeliness and performance of judicial duties will be of utmost importance. Absenteeism and delays in performance of responsibilities will be avoided. Over all respect of the valuable time of citizens, police officers, witnesses, attorneys and the accused is an important factor in adequately running a District Court. Robert A. Saraceni Jr. Describe your personal background and biography
I am have been happily married for 30 years to my wonderful wife, Mimi. We have three children: Rob, age 28, Ryan, age 25 and Kirsten, age 22. We have been lucky that all have graduated college. We decided to raise our family in the North Penn area in 1992.
In the past I have enjoyed coaching for Nor-Gwyn Baseball, North Penn Athletic Association in both basketball and football and Saint Stanislaus CYO basketball. I have been honored to also serve on the Saint Stanislaus Tuition Committee, Vice-President of the North Penn Athletic Association and President of the LaSalle Crease Club. I am a graduate of Temple University (1985), where I graduated with Honors and Delaware Law School (1988), where I received the American Jurisprudence Award for academic excellence. Your professional and political background
I have been an attorney for almost 30 years, managing my own practice. During this time I have represented a wide variety of clients including a utility supplier, oil and gas exploration, criminal law, domestic relations, landlord/tenant, wills, estate administration, municipal/zoning law and business law. I have appeared before the Magisterial
District Courts in Montgomery, Bucks, Chester and Delaware Counties. My law practice has also caused me to appear before the Magisterial District Courts in many other Counties across the Commonwealth. Additionally, I am the current Solicitor to the Norristown Zoning Hearing Board and past Solicitor to the Norristown Municipal Waste Authority and Civil Service Commission. My extremely diverse professional background and experience will serve me well as a Magisterial District Judge.
Why are you running for the position of district judge?
I have a particular passion for the position of magisterial district judge since my father served as a judge for 36 years and after he retired, as a Senior Judge for an additional 10 years. I watched him for most of my life serve the community in this capacity and have felt the desire to do the same for many years. He instilled in me an eagerness to serve the community, but also an incomparable work ethic. He always reminded me in my law practice, as well as in his position as a Judge, to fairly and evenly apply the law regardless of a
person’s background or political affiliation. Above all, he stressed to have compassion for people, especially those in need. Sadly he passed away on March 23, 2017, I hope to make him proud as I move forward in this election and follow the example he set as judge.
What would you change or do differently from the current judge?
I have always believed that there is no room for partisan politics in judicial elections. Judges must remain impartial and independent. I feel similarly about my opponents in this election, there is no room for derogatory comments of any kind in judicial elections. I would rather focus on what I plan to do if I am privileged to be elected to serve my community in the capacity as Magisterial District Judge. Therefore, I promise to focus and devote all the time necessary to the Court. I will manage the courtroom and court staff professionally, efficiently and fairly. No one will be intimidated to appear in the court, as all parties deserve equal justice. I will faithfully and compassionately apply the law regardless of a person’s background or party affiliation.