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All incumbents take Erie district judge races as newcomer also wins

Jan 18, 2024Jan 18, 2024

Four contested races for district judges in Erie County were on the ballot for Tuesday's primary.

None of the races will be decided in the fall.

Three incumbents and a challenger for an open seat all defeated their opponents by winning nominations on both the Democratic and Republican tickets on Tuesday. The four are guaranteed wins on Nov. 7, barring unlikely successful challenges from a write-in candidate.

The winners of the races are incumbent Laurie Mikielski, of Millcreek Township, who is in her first six-year term; incumbent Denise Stuck-Lewis, whose district includes Edinboro and McKean and who has served since 1997; incumbent Lisa Ferrick, whose district includes Harborcreek Township and who is in her first six-year term; and Jeff Gadley, a state constable elected to fill the vacant district judge seat for Springfield Township.

On the ballot:Four contested races highlight election that will fill 10 Erie County district judge seats

The West Springfield seat opened with the retirement of Chris MacKendrick in November.

All of the candidates in the four contested races in the primary sought both the Democratic and Republican nominations.

With all 149 precincts reporting, and with all write-in votes counted, according to the unofficial tally:

Those elected as district judge must be a lawyer or must successfully complete and pass a state-mandated certification class and examination to fill the position, which pays $106,254 annually. District judges serve six-year terms.

Erie County has a total of 13 district justices. They preside over initial arraignments and preliminary hearings in criminal cases and handle summary criminal cases, landlord-tenant disputes and minor civil claims.

Six other magisterial district judge positions in Erie County that are up for election featured lone candidates with no challengers listed in the primary.

Going to the polls:Erie County voters' guide to the races, candidates and issues in the 2023 primary

Staff writer Tim Hahn contributed to this report.

Contact Ed Palattella at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @ETNpalattella.

On the ballot: Going to the polls: