Judge Bill Ward - Who needs facts?

I’m used to seeing ridiculous half-truths on campaign mail, but this is a first.

 

What the heck does “Number One Democrat” mean on this mail?

Mr. Ward is not the # 1 Democrat on the ballot.

Mr. Ward is not an endorsed Democratic candidate.

He isn’t even a Democrat!

He isn’t just a run of the mill registered Republican either. He served as Governor Tom Corbett’s Chief of Staff over the last 3 years. Mr. Ward was the head staff member pushing an extreme right-wing ideology throughout Governor Corbett’s first term.

The Post-Gazette should really re-think their endorsement of Mr. Ward after political pandering like this.

Patrick Connelly for Judge Mail

Here is a piece of mail sent by Patrick Connelly who is running for Judge in Allegheny County. This was sent to me by a reader that lives in the City of Pittsburgh.

 

I have been told by a couple of politicos and lawyers that Mr. Connelly is a good lawyer and would make a great judge. According to my sources, he came in fifth at the Democratic Endorsement, just a few votes shy of being endorsed by the Democratic Party. He is currently on my list of 4 candidates that I plan on supporting in the 2013 Primary.  

 

 

Disturbing letter from Judge Bill Ward

Anyone that reads this blog shouldn't be surprised that I would not be a fan of Governor Corbett's former Chief of Staff. This is the guy that was pushing the extreme political agenda of Governor Corbett for the first 3 years of his Governorship.

 

I had a hard time even reading this first paragraph of this letter. While I get his point about the judgeship being an important position, it is almost too disturbing to read. Not to mention, he is going to handling divorce and custody hearings for the first few years if he wins a seat on the bench.

 

So will Democratic voters see through the union bug and tricky way making it sound like he is actually a Democrat and vote for him in the 2013 Democratic Primary?

 

Tranquilli for Judge Mail

 

Here is some mail that was sent to Republicans for Mark Tranquilli who is running for judge in Allegheny County. Mr. Tranquilli is one of the endorsed Democratic candidates.

 

If you like the law and order types for judge, he has a very impressive resume. He will still get sent to Family Court for a few years before he could ever get to handle criminal cases, but someday he would have a chance to be a criminal division judge. I have been told by multiple politicos that Mr. Tranquilli is a stand up guy and will make a great judge. As of right now he is on my list of 4 candidates that I plan on voting for.  

 



 

Mailing in support of the Endorsed Democratic Candidates for Judge

Here is the mailing that the Allegheny County Democratic Party (I was informed that the Allegheny County Democratic Party was not involved in this mailing and it was organized by the candidates themselves.) sent out in support of their four endorsed candidates for Judge.

 

I'm not very impressed with the mailer because it looks too corporate, and I'm also not very impressed with the candidates. I plan on supporting one of their candidates (Mark Tranquilli). Two of the candidates seem to be at least qualified (Phillip P.J. Murray and Judge Paul Cozza), but I haven't been extremely impressed by those two when I look at the entire field. One of the endorsed candidates (Jennifer Satler) is ridiculously unqualified and a former Republican. Her biggest selling point she made in an interview with the Tribune-Review is that she wants to be a judge for 30 years. I would rather elect a qualified judge for 10 years of service than an unqualified attorney that may never become a good judge.

 

 

Elanor Bush for Judge Mail

Here is a mailer that was sent out by Eleanor Bush for Judge. I have heard very good things about Ms. Bush and she appears qualified to take on the family division in Allegheny County. She is one of the 4 candidates that I plan on supporting in this month's Primary Election.

 

 

Former Republican Jennifer Satler for Judge

I mentioned in a previous post about how Republican lawyers that want to be judges in Allegheny County will switch their party registration to Democrat just so they have a chance at winning. There is already one former Republican running for judge in Allegheny County (Craig Stephens). Mr. Stephens switched his party registration in 2008.

However, there is at least one other candidate that is a former Republican and she was a little more blatant about switching just before the first time she ran for judge. Jennifer Satler switched her party registration from Republican to Democrat in January of 2009. She then started circulating petitions to run for judge in February of 2009. She ended up running without the Democratic endorsement.(The City Paper has a great piece about what the endorsement means or doesn't mean.)

I decided to go back and really read the letters (this and this) that Ms. Satler has been sending out to the Democratic Committee. Many of the candidates talk about how they have been involved in helping Democrats get elected or how they have been involved in causes that are more likely to be championed by Democrats. Ms. Satler never seems to mention anything than, 'as you can see, I have lots of support from Democrats.' It is almost as if she is avoiding talking about her political beliefs. Maybe that is because she has never helped Democrats get elected, since she can't even take the time to vote. Actually, maybe that is how she helps the Democrats. If she really is a Republican, then not showing up does help elect more Democrats.

I've also been told that she is one of 2 candidates running for judge that are 'not recommended' by the Allegheny County Bar Association. I can't seem to verify this information and was told that Bar Association does not list their ratings until just before the Primary Election. Although she was rated 'not recommended' in 2011 and 'unqualified' in 2009.

More Jennifer Satler Mail

More mail from Jennifer Satler, who is running for judge.

It should be interesting to see if the Democratic Committee supports Ms. Satler even though she hasn't even participated that often in the simplest part of the Democratic process.

More Patrick Connelly Mail

More mail from Patrick Connelly who is running for judge.

Jennifer Satler for Judge and her poor voting record

Here is a letter and handout from Jennifer Satler who is running for Judge. She ran for judge without the endorsement in 2009 and 2011. It is surprising that someone that defied the Democratic endorsement twice would have so much support from Democratic Committee people and an elected row officer.
 
While running without the endorsement used to be something you were punished for by the Democratic Committee, it doesn't appear that matters anymore. However, I would encourage the Democratic Committee to consider Ms. Satler's voting record before they vote to endorse. One thing I expect candidates to have done in the past is participate in the democratic process. However, Ms. Satler has a very dismal voting record over the last few years. She actually didn't even vote in the General Election in years where she lost the Primary (2009 & 2011). The last year she could have voted for a judge in the General Election was 2005.

Take a look at her voting record since 2000:
  

2000

          General        YES

          Primary        NO

2001

          General        NO

          Primary        NO

2002

          General        YES

          Primary        NO

2003

          General        NO

          Primary        YES

2004

          General        YES

          Primary        YES

2005

          General        YES

          Primary        YES

2006

          General        YES

          Primary        YES

2007

          General        NO

          Primary        NO

2008

          General        YES

          Primary        NO

2009

          General        NO

          Primary        YES

2010

          General        YES

          Primary        NO

          Special          NO

2011

          General        NO

          Primary        YES

 

PJ Murray for Judge

Here is a post card and handouts from PJ Murray who is running for judge. It is a pretty intense handout and each folded side had to be scanned and then put back together by the committee member that sent it to me. It also has a hidden gem when really analyzed. One question that I've been told is often asked by Democratic Committee members is if the candidate would run without the endorsement. I've been told it is pretty entertaining to watch candidates try and duck and weave around the question. The Democratic Committee can just rip off a sticker on this handout to find out Mr. Murray's plans for the Primary if he doesn't win the endorsement. Take off the May 10th (endorsement day) sticker and you find a May 21st (Primary Election Day) sticker.

 

 

 

 

Eleanor Bush for Judge

Here are some handouts from Eleanor Bush who is running for judge. She ran without the endorsement of the Democratic Committee in 2011.

New handout that is being used that includes Ms. Bush's "Highly Recommended" rating by the Allegheny County Bar Association.

Patrick Connelly for Judge

Here are handouts and a letter from Patrick Connelly. Patrick Connelly is running for judge. Looks like he is going to play up the Irish heritage.

 

 

 

 

Judge Paul Cozza for Judge

Here is a letter from Judge Paul Cozza. Judge Cozza was appointed to the bench this past summer by Governor Tom Corbett.

Mark Tranquilli for Judge

Here are some mail and handouts from Mark Tranquilli. Mr. Tranquilli is running for judge and according to some he is a front runner for the Democratic Endorsement. He appears to have a pretty good record of public service. Although he did take a little heat for jumping the gun on creating a facebook page about his candidacy last year.

William Caye for Judge

Here are some handouts and mail from William Caye who is running for judge.

The baseball card handout is really strange if you aren't a former professional baseball player. When Dwayne Woodruff ran for judge it makes sense to make sure everyone knows he used to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers, but this seems unnecessary.

Instert that was included in the letter:

 



 

 

Handout:

Marvin Leibowitz for Judge

Here are some handouts from Marvin Leibowitz who is running for judge.

I was told by a member of the Democratic Committee that Mr. Lebowitz is a nice guy and involved in the Democratic Party, but isn't very electable.

Marc Daffner for Judge

Some handouts and mail from Marc Daffner. Mr. Daffner ran for judge in 2011 and did not win the endorsement. He then dropped out of the race. He also attempted to run in 2003 and 2005 and dropped out after not receiving the endorsement. Many years ago, this was the ultimate sign of respect to the Democratic Committee and usually resulted in the endorsement the next time you ran. In recent years, this hasn't been the case or else Mr. Daffner would have been endorsed in 2005 & 2011.

Here are some mail and handouts from Mr. Daffner. Not sure how well the martial arts picture plays, but again to each their own:

Joe Luvara for Judge

Here are some handouts and mail from Joe Luvara. I've never been impressed by sports schedules, but to each their own.