Paul Panepinto running as independent for high court

Paul Panepinto, a Philadelphia Common Pleas Court judge for the last 24 years, on Friday became an independent candidate for the state Supreme Court.

Panepinto, who ran as a Republican for the Supreme Court in 2007 and 2009 and for Commonwealth Court in 2011, filed 28,000 signatures on nomination papers Friday in Harrisburg.

Independent candidates need signatures from at least 16,639 registered voters to appear on the Nov. 3 general election ballot.

Rob Gleason, chairman of the state Republican Party, promised to keep a close eye on Panepinto's petitions. The GOP could challenge those petitions in court to try to knock him from the ballot.

Panepinto, who did not receive the Republican Party's endorsement for his previous statewide campaigns, said the courts should be less political.

He describes himself as "slighted by the Republican Party" but not negative about the experience.

"Never once did they endorse me," Panepinto said of his former party, which he left March 26. "It's all about the politics. Do you know the right people? Do you have the right connection?"

Political control of the state's highest courts is up for grabs in the general election. This is the first time since 1704 that the seven-member court has three vacant seats.

Voters in the May 19 primary election nominated three Democrats and three Republicans to compete for the seats.

Panepinto seems particularly interested in one of the Republicans, Commonwealth Court Judge Anne Covey of Bucks County.

Covey defeated Panepinto in the 2011 Republican primary for Commonwealth Court.

The state Bar Association this year gave her a "not recommended" rating for the Supreme Court, accusing her of violating a pledge by running misleading campaign ads in the 2011 general election.

"I don't know why any candidate would want to run without the Bar Associations's recommendation," Panepinto said. "To me, that's something I would never do. I would just step aside if I was not qualified."

Covey did not respond to a request for comment.

The Bar Association in January recommended Panepinto for Commonwealth Court, Superior Court, and Supreme Court. He did not run in the primary election.

215-854-5973@ByChrisBrennan