Kevin Dougherty | |
|---|---|
 Dougherty in January 2026 | |
| Justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court | |
| Assumed office January 4, 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Ronald D. Castille |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1962-05-19) May 19, 1962 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Relatives | Sean Dougherty (son) John J. Dougherty (brother) |
| Education | Temple University (BA) Antioch School of Law (JD) |
Kevin M. Dougherty (born May 19, 1962)[1] is a justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.[2][3] He previously served on the Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas in Philadelphia from 2001 to 2016, including as an administrative judge of the trial division.[4][5]
Biography
Dougherty grew up in South Philadelphia in what he described as a "very blue-collar, working-class neighborhood". He was the first member of his family to graduate from college, working three part-time jobs while attending Temple University. He later earned his Juris Doctor degree from the Antioch School of Law in Washington, D.C. in 1988.[6]
Judicial career
Court of Common Pleas (2001–2016)
Dougherty was appointed to the Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas in Philadelphia by Governor Tom Ridge in 2001 and was elected later that year to a full ten-year term, receiving the highest vote total among fourteen candidates.[4][6] Following his election, Dougherty requested assignment to the family division, where he believed he could have the greatest societal impact.[7]
In 2003, Dougherty became Supervising Judge of the Juvenile Division of Philadelphia Family Court.[7][8] In that role, he implemented administrative reforms aimed at improving access to the courts and modernizing court culture. He ran unopposed for retention in 2011 and was retained with 78 percent of the vote, receiving support from both Democratic and Republican voters.[8]
Pennsylvania Supreme Court (2016–present)
Dougherty was elected to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania in 2015 and was sworn into office on January 4, 2016. He has since served as an associate justice of the court. While serving on the Supreme Court, Dougherty has led initiatives to improve accessibility in courtrooms, including efforts to make proceedings more inclusive for individuals with sensory sensitivities.[9]
Elections
2015 Supreme Court election
Dougherty ran as a Democrat in the 2015 election for the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. He was part of a Democratic sweep of all three open seats on the court, alongside David Wecht and Christine Donohue, defeating Republican candidates Judith Olsen, Michael George, and Anne Covey.[10][11]
The campaign was among the most expensive judicial races in state history, with more than $15 million spent statewide.[10] Dougherty received a "recommended" rating from the Pennsylvania Bar Association and drew significant support from organized labor groups.[4] Media coverage noted that his brother, Philadelphia labor leader John J. "Johnny Doc" Dougherty, played a prominent role in fundraising for the campaign.[4][11][12]
2025 retention election
The 2025 retention elections for the Pennsylvania Supreme Court drew an unusually high level of attention and spending for what are typically low-profile, yes-or-no judicial retention votes. Independent and campaign spending in support of and opposition to the justices’ retention was reported in the millions of dollars, reflecting broader political interest in the court’s future composition.[13] Dougherty was retained by voters statewide, securing another ten-year term on the court.[14]
Personal life
Dougherty’s brother, John J. “Johnny Doc” Dougherty, was a prominent Philadelphia labor leader.[12] His son, Sean Dougherty, was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 172nd district in the November 2024 general election and began serving in 2025.[15]
References
- ^ American Bar Association Questionnaire
- ^ "Drawing determines court seniority". Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania. December 3, 2015.
- ^ "New PA Supreme Court Justices Poised For Swearing In". 90.5 WESA. 2015-12-30. Retrieved 2026-01-07.
- ^ a b c d "Snapshot look at candidates for Pa. appellate courts". Delaware County Daily Times. Associated Press. November 3, 2015. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
- ^ Williams, Damon C. (October 31, 2015). "Black clergy group makes pick in state court race". Philadelphia Tribune. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
- ^ a b "Get to know the candidates for state Supreme Court". LNP Media Group. October 31, 2015. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
- ^ a b "About Kevin". Kevin Dougherty for Supreme Court. 2015. Archived from the original on October 25, 2015. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
- ^ a b Brandolph, Adam (May 1, 2015). "Philadelphia's Dougherty brothers spotlight differences as one vies for Supreme Court". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
- ^ Russell-Sluchansky, Carmen (October 10, 2025). "Pa. election 2025: What to know about the state Supreme Court retention races". WHYY-FM. Retrieved November 1, 2025.
- ^ a b Kraus, Scott; Sheehan, Dan; Assad, Matt (November 4, 2015). "Incumbents fare well in Lehigh Valley elections". The Morning Call. Archived from the original on November 5, 2015. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
- ^ a b Palmer, Chris (November 3, 2015). "Dougherty, Dems, sweep historic Supreme Court race". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
- ^ a b McGoldrick, Gillian; Bernard, Katie (2025-10-24). "Johnny Doc played a pivotal role electing his brother to the Pa. Supreme Court. Ten years later, things are different". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 2026-01-07.
- ^ Caruso, Stephen (2025-12-24). "At least $18.7M spent on PA Supreme Court retention races". Spotlight PA. Retrieved 2026-01-07.
- ^ Huangpu, Kate (2025-11-04). "All three PA Supreme Court justices win retention election". Spotlight PA. Retrieved 2026-01-07.
- ^ Tanenbaum, Michael (2024-04-23). "Sean Dougherty defeats Kevin Boyle in Democratic primary for state rep in 172nd District". PhillyVoice. Retrieved 2026-01-07.
External links
- Kevin Dougherty at Ballotpedia
- Biography from "Kevin Dougherty for Supreme Court"
