Elections were held in Pennsylvania on November 3, 2015, to fill judicial positions (including three seats on the Supreme Court), to fill a vacancy in the Pennsylvania State Senate, to allow judicial retention votes, and to fill numerous county, local and municipal offices.
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November 3, 2015 (2015-11-03)
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| Elections in Pennsylvania |
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 Government |
The necessary primary elections were held on May 19, 2015.
Justice of the Supreme Court
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November 3, 2015
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3 seats on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court 4 seats needed for a majority | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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.svg/1280px-Pennsylvania_Supreme_Court_election_results,_2015_(1).svg.png) County results: Democrats: 50-60% 60-70% 70-80% >90% Republicans: 50-60% 60-70% 70-80% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
There were three open seats on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
- Justice Joan Orie Melvin resigned on May 1, 2013. Governor Tom Corbett nominated Superior Court Judge Correale Stevens as an interim appointee.[1] Justice Stevens indicated he would run for a full term.[2]
- The second vacancy was caused by the resignation of Justice Seamus McCaffery on October 27, 2014.
- The third vacancy was due to the mandatory retirement of Chief Justice Ronald Castille on December 31, 2014.[3]
Judge Paul Panepinto, a registered Republican, of the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas, ran in the general election as an Independent candidate.[4]
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Christine Donohue, Judge of the Pennsylvania Superior Court[5]
- Kevin Dougherty, Judge of the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas[6]
- John H. Foradora, President Judge of the Jefferson County Court of Common Pleas[7]
- Anne E. Lazarus, Judge of the Pennsylvania Superior Court[8]
- David Wecht, Judge of the Pennsylvania Superior Court[9]
- Dwayne Woodruff, Judge of the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas[10]
Endorsements
Kevin Dougherty
Political parties
David Wecht
Political parties
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | David Wecht | 379,819 | 22.02% | |
| Democratic | Kevin Dougherty | 368,629 | 21.37% | |
| Democratic | Christine Donohue | 368,247 | 21.35% | |
| Democratic | Anne Lazarus | 289,726 | 16.79% | |
| Democratic | Dwayne Woodruff | 200,193 | 11.60% | |
| Democratic | John H. Foradora | 118,561 | 6.87% | |
| Total votes | 1,725,175 | 100.0% | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
- Cheryl Allen, Judge of the Pennsylvania Superior Court[13]
- Ann Covey, Judge of the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court[14]
- Michael George, President Judge of the Adams County Court of Common Pleas[15]
- Judith Olson, Judge of the Pennsylvania Superior Court[16]
- Correale Stevens, incumbent Justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court[2]
- Rebecca L. Warren, Montour County district attorney[17]
Withdrew
- Renee Cohn Jubelirer, Judge of the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court[18]
Endorsements
Anne Covey
Political parties
Michael George
Political parties
Judy Olson
Political parties
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Judith Olson | 303,735 | 22.00% | |
| Republican | Michael George | 302,778 | 21.93% | |
| Republican | Anne Covey | 285,007 | 20.64% | |
| Republican | Cheryl Allen | 183,273 | 13.27% | |
| Republican | Rebecca L. Warren | 159,450 | 11.55% | |
| Republican | Correale Stevens (incumbent) | 146,528 | 10.61% | |
| Total votes | 1,380,771 | 100.0% | ||
General election
Endorsements
Christine Donohue (D)
Newspapers
Michael George (R)
Newspapers
Judy Olson (R)
Newspapers
David Wecht (D)
Newspapers
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Kevin Dougherty | 1,088,716 | 18.50% | |
| Democratic | David Wecht | 1,079,452 | 18.34% | |
| Democratic | Christine Donohue | 1,069,161 | 18.17% | |
| Republican | Judith Olson | 895,741 | 15.22% | |
| Republican | Michael George | 803,748 | 13.66% | |
| Republican | Anne Covey | 802,891 | 13.64% | |
| Independent | Paul Panepinto[b] | 145,190 | 2.47% | |
| Total votes | 5,884,899 | 100.0% | ||
| Democratic gain from Republican | ||||
| Democratic gain from Republican | ||||
| Democratic hold | ||||
Judge of the Superior Court
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November 3, 2015
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 County results Dubow: 50–60% 60–70% 80–90% Giordano: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% | |||||||||||||||||
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A seat was up for election due to the appointment of Judge Correale Stevens to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. Governor Corbett appointed Patricia Jenkins to the vacancy through the 2015 election, who opted to not run for re-election.[25]
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Robert J. Colville, Judge of the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas[26]
- Alice Dubow, Judge of the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas[26]
Results
Dubow
- 50%–60%
- 60%–70%
- 70%–80%
- 80%–90%
Colville
- 50%–60%
- 60%–70%
- 70%–80%
- 80%–90%
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Alice Dubow | 389,282 | 58.75% | |
| Democratic | Robert J. Colville | 273,346 | 41.25% | |
| Total votes | 662,628 | 100.0% | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
- Emil Giordano, Judge of the Northampton County Court of Common Pleas[26]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Emil Giordano | 464,178 | 100.0% | |
| Total votes | 464,178 | 100.0% | ||
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Alice Dubow | 1,058,753 | 53.14% | |
| Republican | Emil Giordano | 933,691 | 46.86% | |
| Total votes | 1,992,444 | 100.0% | ||
| Democratic gain from Republican | ||||
Judge of the Commonwealth Court
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November 3, 2015
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 County results Wojcik: 50–60% 60–70% 80–90% Lalley: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% | |||||||||||||||||
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There was one vacancy to fill on the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court, due to the mandatory retirement of President Judge Dan Pellegrini.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Todd Eagen, labor attorney[27]
- Michael Woljcik, former Allegheny County solicitor[28]
Results
Wojcik
- 50%–60%
- 60%–70%
- 70%–80%
- 80%–90%
Eagen
- 50%–60%
- 60%–70%
- 70%–80%
- 80%–90%
- 90%–100%
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Michael Wojcik | 331,601 | 53.35% | |
| Democratic | R. Todd Eagen | 290,008 | 46.65% | |
| Total votes | 621,609 | 100.0% | ||
Republican primary
Candidates
- Paul Lalley, senior associate attorney at Campbell, Durant, Beatty, Palombo & Miller, Lalley firm[29]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Paul Lalley | 475,657 | 100.0% | |
| Total votes | 475,657 | 100.0% | ||
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Michael Wojcik | 1,060,314 | 52.85% | |
| Republican | Paul Lalley | 946,079 | 47.15% | |
| Total votes | 2,006,393 | 100.0% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
37th Senatorial District Special Election
There was one vacancy to fill in the Pennsylvania State Senate, in the 37th district, created by the resignation of Matthew H. Smith.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Guy Reschenthaler | 30,565 | 55.1 | |
| Democratic | Heather Arnet | 24,888 | 44.9 | |
| Total votes | 55,453 | 100.0 | ||
| Republican gain from Democratic | ||||
See also
Notes
- ^ a b Voters selected up to three candidates, so vote totals are inflated.
- ^ Appeared on ballot under the "Independent Judicial Alliance" party designation.
References
- ^ "6/28/13 - Executive Nominations - Report From Committee" (PDF). Committee on Rules and Executive Nominations - PA General Assembly Senate.
- ^ a b Jackson, Kent (January 28, 2015). "Stevens announces run for Supreme Court". The Citizens' Voice.
- ^ Becker Kane, Jenna. "The Pennsylvania 2015 State Supreme Court Election in Comparative Perspective". Temple University.
- ^ Brennan, Chris (July 31, 2015). "Paul Panepinto running as independent for high court". Philadelphia Inquirer.
- ^ Field, Nick (December 11, 2014). "Donohue Seeks Dem Endorsement for PA Supreme Court". Politics PA.
- ^ Field, Nick (February 17, 2015). "Dougherty Formally Announces Candidacy for Supreme Court". Politics PA.
- ^ Cassidy, Matt (March 3, 2015). "Judge Foradora Announces Supreme Court Candidacy". Politics PA.
- ^ Field, Nick (November 20, 2014). "Lazarus Announces Bid for PA Supreme Court Seat". Politics PA.
- ^ Daniels, Melissa (May 19, 2015). "Six judges nominated to vie for three seats on Pa. Supreme Court". Trib Live.
- ^ "Judges with Pittsburgh ties enter race for Pa. Supreme Court". Trib Live. November 24, 2014.
- ^ a b Thompson, Charles (February 21, 2015). "Pennsylvania Democrats endorse David Wecht and Kevin Dougherty for Supreme Court primary". The Patriot-News.
- ^ a b c d e f "2015 Municipal Primary". Pennsylvania Department of State. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
- ^ Field, Nick (December 8, 2014). "Superior Court Judge Cheryl Lynn Allen Seeks Spot on PA Supreme Court". Politics PA.
- ^ "Supreme Court candidate Covey campaigns in Erie". Erie Times-News. April 17, 2015.
- ^ Field, Nick (January 14, 2015). "Michael George Joins Race for PA Supreme Court". Politics PA.
- ^ Beatty, Brigid (February 6, 2015). "Judicial candidate vows to restore faith in system". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
- ^ "Warren expected PBA 'not-recommended' snub". The Danville News. January 29, 2015.
- ^ Fields, Nick (January 8, 2015). "Cohn Jubelirer Declares Candidacy for PA Supreme Court Seat". Politics PA.
- ^ a b c "Covey, George, Olson Lead PA GOP Judicial Ticket". PA GOP. February 2, 2015.
- ^ a b c "For Supreme Court - Christine Donohue, Judith Olson and David Wecht: Editorial". The Patriot-News. October 22, 2015.
- ^ a b c Holmberg, Eric (October 29, 2015). "PA Supreme Court 2015: Newspaper endorsement roundup". Pittsburgh's Public Source.
- ^ a b c "For Supreme Court: The best choices are Olson, Donohue and Wecht". The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. October 25, 2015. Archived from the original on October 25, 2015. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ a b c "For Pennsylvania Supreme Court: Elect Michael George, Judy Olson & David Wecht". The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. October 17, 2015.
- ^ a b c "2015 Municipal Election". Pennsylvania Department of State. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
- ^ "Delco Judge Jenkins Nominated to Superior Court". Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania. November 20, 2013.
- ^ a b c Belculfine, Lexi (May 19, 2015). "Philadelphia judge beats Colville for Superior Court nomination". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
- ^ Addy, Jason (May 11, 2015). "Eagen Cites Family History in First TV Ad (VIDEO)". Politics PA.
- ^ Fucci, Ryan (December 5, 2014). "Michael Wojcik Declares Candidacy for Judge of Commonwealth Court".
- ^ Strum, Lora (December 9, 2014). "Lalley Formally Announces Bid for Commonwealth Court". Politics PA.
- ^ "2015 General Election Results". Allegheny County Elections Division. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
- ^ "2015 General Election". Washington County, Pennsylvania. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
