Candidate for
Judge; Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas; District 1

I believe strongly in an independent judiciary. Every person deserves equal status when appearing in a court of law. Accordingly, I am uncomfortable with the thought of financing a judicial campaign with donations from lawyers who might appear before me and passing those funds to political entities in order to receive their assistance. When you rely on attorney donations and political favors to get yourself elected, there is a strong perception that you might be biased in their favor.

I decided that I would run a campaign based on merit, with the help of volunteers. I encourage people to log onto my website and download fliers and signs. I have been repeatedly told this cannot work, but I believe the people of Philadelphia deserve a candidate who is both qualified and independent.

The need for judicial integrity has been reflected in the headlines recently. It is easier to support the decisions you make if there can be no question of bias. I have worked over thirty years to establish a reputation as an honest and skilled attorney. I am confident that if you ask any judge I have appeared before, or any attorney I have faced in a courtroom, or any attorney that has come before me, they will confirm that reputation. The concept of equal justice for all must remain the cornerstone of our judicial system. It begins with an independent judiciary.