Philadelphia judicial candidates make their pitch

One by one, lawyers stepped onto the stage in a West Philadelphia community center and gave 30-second pitches on why they should be elected judge.

Attendees of the 46th Ward meeting in the Enterprise Center last week enjoyed a buffet and listened to at least a dozen speeches, most fitting the same pattern: Name, brief mention of experience, pledge to improve the criminal justice system, name again.

There are a lot of names to remember.

Nearly 50 lawyers and six sitting judges have said they are running for Common Pleas and Municipal Court judgeships this year. That's more than in any city judicial election in at least 20 years, experts say.

The Philadelphia Bar Association, which issues recommendations on candidates, counted 47 applications last week. They expect more, and because not all candidates who are running seek ratings, the final tally could be even higher.

"If somebody is thinking of running for judge, this is the perfect year to do it," said Lynn Marks, executive director of Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts, which advocates for merit selection of judges.

Candidates are driven by a high number of bench vacancies - 12 in Common Pleas Court and three in Municipal Court - and a pending law that could increase the mandatory retirement age from 70 to 75.

"The amount of available seats is the largest we're going to see for a while," said Sean Stevens, 48, running for the third time this year. "And when the only requirement is to be a licensed attorney, 100 bucks, and 1,000 signatures, who isn't going to run?"

On top of the vacancies, the election coincides with the mayoral and City Council races, which typically means higher voter turnout. Elections for the state appellate courts, including the Supreme Court, are also this year.

Pennsylvania is one of eight states that elects judges at all levels, a practice that has drawn criticism from advocates of merit selection who call the current process random and too politicized.

"It's not that voters are stupid," Marks said. "It's really hard to get enough meaningful information to make informed choices for judges when there are so many names and you have such little information about them and whether they would be a good judge."

Common Pleas Court Judge Kenneth Powell Jr., who ran unsuccessfully two times and has been appointed twice to fill vacancies on the bench, most recently in 2012 by Gov. Tom Corbett, is in his third campaign. He noted it was far more likely a person would appear before a judge than a mayor or a Council member.

"We have been imbued with unbelievable power. We can take your life, your children, your home," Powell said. "This is probably the most important job in government, and I wish I could get that out there."

The Bar Association thoroughly vets candidates who submit their names before it issues recommendations. A team of 120 volunteers sift through financial backgrounds and disciplinary records and interview opposing counsel and coworkers to rate candidates highly recommended, recommended, or not recommended.

"The number keeps going up," said Harold Datz, who heads the bar's elections committee. "Which is fine, I think it's great that so many people are interested. It gives the public a wide array of choices."

After candidates officially file March 10, they pick ballot positions out of a bag in Harrisburg on March 18.

Ballot position is key. With so many names - few of which the typical voter will recognize - the first 20 names listed are much better situated to win. Many of the candidates listed at the bottom usually drop out.

No matter the ballot position, candidates have to make political allies and raise big money. A typical campaign can cost $100,000 to $250,000. Party-endorsed candidates are asked to contribute up to $35,000 toward Election Day expenses, including the cash given to workers who hand out sample ballots outside the polls. And they may be asked for even more money.

"Judicial campaigns aren't like other races. You don't gear up with your own field operation and go door-knocking," said Micah Mahjoubian, a political consultant working with some of this year's candidates. "Judicial campaigns are all about building relationships with influencers in the city and trying to get them to support you."

Candidates can't solicit money themselves (though that law is being challenged in the Supreme Court on First Amendment grounds), but others can raise money on their behalf, a condition that could result in individuals appearing before a judge they helped elect.

First-time candidate Zac Shaffer, 34, running for both Municipal and Common Pleas Court, says he will entirely finance his campaign. He hopes to spend less than $250,000.

"I'm not a millionaire, I'm not rich, but . . . I don't think it's right to ask from people who may appear before you - if you get a case that really could go either way but someone gave you a $10,000 check, you know which way that's going to go."

Common Pleas Court judges' salary is $176,572.

Four of the candidates running are sitting Common Pleas Court judges who were appointed to fill vacancies. Two are Municipal Court judges, also appointed. They must win an election to retain their seats.

Common Pleas Court Judge Abbe Fletman was appointed over the summer and started in September. In 2013, she ran with a lot of support but was the 24th name listed on a ballot with 36 candidates for five spots.

She doesn't fault the system, though. She said it has its pluses, namely, campaigning.

"It's a good thing that people who are going to serve as trial judges have to go all over the city and meet and talk to people in every walk of life," she said.

Candidate Anthony Kyriakakis, a former federal prosecutor who teaches at the University of Pennsylvania, encouraged voters to pay attention.

"There's a level of disgust with the process, but the only response I have is, it's the system we have and the way to change it is to get involved in learning about who's running," Kyriakakis said. He is running for Common Pleas and Municipal Court.

215-854-5506 @juliaterruso