Eight seats are open for Allegheny County’s Court of Common Pleas in next Tuesday’s election.

Although 13 candidates are listed on the ballot, three of them are not actively campaigning.

The eight vacancies on the bench come from seven retirements and the death late last year of Judge Alexander P. Bicket.

Allegheny County’s Common Pleas court has four divisions: criminal, civil, orphans’ and family.

All the candidates are Democrats but some are listed only as Republican nominees. Those candidates were cross-filed during the May primary, meaning they gathered nominations from both parties, and they made the cut for the general election on the Republican ticket but not the Democratic one.

Judges in Allegheny County earn $231,222 per year and serve for 10-year terms. After that, they may seek a yes or no retention vote to serve an additional 10 years.

The mandatory retirement age for the judiciary in Pennsylvania is 75.

TribLive submitted a questionnaire to each Common Pleas Court candidate. Here are their answers.

Courtesy of Amanda Green-Hawkins Amanda Green-Hawkins is running in the Court of Common Pleas judicial race.  

Amanda Green-Hawkins, Democratic nomination

Age: 54

Residence: Pittsburgh

Family: Husband and our teen and tween

Law School: Northeastern University School of Law

Current practice area: Union-side labor law and civil and human rights

Allegheny County Bar Association rating: Not recommended

What makes you the best candidate to serve as a judge in Allegheny County?

My legal experience includes appearances in mediation, arbitration, federal and state administrative agencies, and federal and state courts. I have also been a mediator and an adjunct law professor. My work has sharpened my legal research skills and ability to multi-task, along with diversifying my knowledge in the law. A Common Pleas judge may hear matters where they have a clear understanding of the law, and they may hear matters where the area of the law is a first impression for them. As an attorney for our nation’s largest industrial union, and one of only 2,000 union lawyers nationwide, my career has been built on handling static legal matters while also relying on the ability to quickly adapt to dynamic legal matters. I will be ready to serve on Day One in any division with the skills I have acquired throughout our nation’s legal system.

How will you ensure voters that you will protect their constitutional rights?

As an attorney and as a public servant, I swore an oath to the U.S. and Pennsylvania constitutions, and my record shows that I’m committed to that. I’ve led passage of the county’s law to ban discrimination against people in the LGBTQ+ community; stood up to broken promises to fight for workers and retirees; protected voters’ rights regardless of political party; and helped to improve the lives of people through my work with community organizations, among other things that I’ve done to protect peoples’ right to be heard.

Courtesy of Dan Miller Dan Miller is running in the Court of Common Pleas judicial race.  

Dan Miller, Democratic and Republican nomination

Age: 52

Residence: Mt. Lebanon

Family: Wife and son

Law School: Catholic University

Current practice area: Special Education with Ruder Law, current state representative 42nd District

Allegheny County Bar Association rating: Highly recommended

What makes you the best candidate to serve as a judge in Allegheny County?

I have the unique experience of spending over a decade in court practicing law as a public defender and a county solicitor, and over another decade in the legislature writing and debating the foundation of our laws. I am also the proud recipient of numerous awards for my advocacy in disability and mental health, which — unfortunately — are disproportionately finding themselves to be elements in the majority of criminal and family division cases. Respectfully, I believe that my experiences offer balance and insight and will be of service on the bench.

How will you ensure voters that you will protect their constitutional rights?

As a long-standing member of our House Judiciary Committee, I have a track record of defending our system of checks and balances in public hearings and floor debates. Challenges to our institutions, precedents and political discourse are not new to the American experience. But I am keenly aware of the responsibility our courts play especially in such times in providing stability and safeguarding individual rights. As a legislator I have seen the best and worst in politics, and I believe that justice is seldom served when partisanship (or the appearance thereof) tilts the scale.

Courtesy of Quita Bridges Quita Bridges is running in the Court of Common Pleas judicial race.  

Quita Bridges, Democratic nomination

Age: 60

Residence: Sewickley

Family: Husband, Reginald Bridges; children Ashley and Michael Bridges

Law School: Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University

Current Practice Area: Judge, Court of Common Pleas, Criminal Division

Allegheny County Bar Association rating: highly recommended

What makes you the best candidate to serve as a judge in Allegheny County?

For nearly three decades, I have devoted my career to upholding justice and serving the people of Allegheny County. As a lawyer for 28 years, including 26 years in criminal law, I have stood at every level of our justice system, from the courtroom floor to the bench. My experience has given me a deep understanding of both the law and the lives it affects.

I have tried numerous jury trials involving the most serious offenses, including homicides, sexual assaults and domestic violence cases. These experiences have strengthened my belief that every individual who enters a courtroom deserves to be heard, respected and judged fairly under the law.

Appointed to serve as a judge in the Court of Common Pleas and assigned to the Criminal Division, I have brought that same sense of fairness, preparation and compassion to every case before me. My years in public service have shaped my commitment to integrity, accountability and community safety.

With 28 years of experience, a record of proven leadership, and a lifelong dedication to public service, I am ready to continue serving the citizens of Allegheny County with the integrity and commitment they deserve.

How will you ensure voters that you will protect their constitutional rights?

As a judge, my duty is to uphold the Constitution faithfully and without bias. Every individual who comes before the court, regardless of background, belief or circumstance, deserves the protection of due process, equal justice under the law and the presumption of innocence.

I have spent my career ensuring that justice is applied fairly, not based on public opinion or politics, but on the law and the facts. As your judge, I will continue to defend the rights and liberties of all citizens, ensuring that our court remains a place where justice is blind, balanced and rooted in the Constitution.

Courtesy of Julie Capone Julie Capone is running for Allegheny County Common Pleas Court  

Julie Capone, Democratic and Republican nomination

Age: 51

Residence: O’Hara

Family: My dad was an engineer, and my mom was a nurse. I was one of four children who grew up in a home where we were taught the importance of hard work and kindness. I live with my husband and our beloved 16-year-old dog, Chickie.

Law School: University of Pittsburgh School of Law, 2001

Current practice area: I’ve been an Assistant District Attorney for 24 years. I oversee the Elder Abuse Trial Unit, as I have since its inception 21 years ago. In this capacity, I exclusively prosecute those who prey on seniors. I also conduct outreach aimed at preventing elder abuse and providing much-needed resources to seniors. I’m currently on a voluntary leave of absence to run for judge.

Allegheny County Bar Association rating: Highly recommended

What makes you the best candidate to serve as a judge in Allegheny County?

I’ve spent thousands of hours in the courtroom and tried hundreds of cases. But more importantly, I’ve demonstrated compassion and the right temperament throughout my career.

As an Elder Abuse prosecutor, I’ve pioneered victim-sensitive practices to address the special needs of seniors. It can be daunting for seniors to leave their home to come to an unfamiliar environment, such as the courthouse. I commonly meet with senior victims initially in their homes to alleviate such anxiety. Working with seniors requires special sensitivity, compassion and patience, all of which I possess and are crucial to serving on the bench.

I was once the victim of a crime. Finding myself at the center of litigation gave me a new appreciation for all litigants. It’s easy to become desensitized to the intimidating and traumatic nature of litigation. Most people don’t want to come to court. Rather, they’re compelled to when bad things happen to them. Whether they’re a victim, an accused person, etc., their case is the most important thing in their lives, and it’s important judges give them the attention they deserve.

How will you ensure voters that you will protect their constitutional rights?

It’s critical, during these and all times, we have judges who have the courage and fortitude to uphold the rule of law and safeguard constitutional rights and due process without partiality. I’ll ensure the courts are open and accessible to everyone, regardless of their race, color, creed, gender, sexual orientation or political affiliation. I’ll also make sure all proceedings and decisions are fair and transparent, and all parties are fully heard.

Courtesy of Anthony DeLuca Anthony DeLuca is running in the Court of Common Pleas judicial race.  

Anthony DeLuca, Democratic and Republican nomination

Age: 53

Residence: Mt. Lebanon

Family: Wife, Hollie, three children ages 16, 14, 12.

Law School: University of Pittsburgh, magna cum laude, 1997

Current practice area: Union labor law, criminal defense, estates and trusts

Allegheny County Bar Association rating: Highly recommended

What makes you the best candidate to serve as a judge in Allegheny County?

I tailored my career to have an opportunity to work closely with the different stakeholders, such as victims, defendants, and police, in the criminal justice system. My hope is that by understanding the stresses and burdens of those involved in the system, I may fashion, through programs and my rulings, decisions that consider those needs and concerns and further the goal of justice for all.

I was heavily involved in the development of the Mental Health Court program. Through this program, by providing treatment in appropriate cases, we were able to address the underlying mental health causes of these defendants’ criminal conduct. Many of these individuals led productive lives after leaving the program and we, through the program, were able to dramatically reduce recidivism.

Additionally, I have proudly spent over a decade fighting for better wages, health care, paid time off and better working conditions through my work as a union labor lawyer. Through my local unions, I represent workers in a wide array of jobs in the private and public sector.

How will you ensure voters that you will protect their constitutional rights?

The job of a judge is to fairly apply the law, including interpreting the Constitution. In the current climate, many people view judges as political beings that make rulings based upon their political beliefs rather than the facts and the law. The best way to ensure that voters’ constitutional rights are protected is to interpret the laws, including the Constitution, without regard to any personal political beliefs. By doing so, the rights of the voters and other citizens will be protected and the rulings, and thus rights, will not change or be altered by the political climate of the day.

Courtesy of Heather Schmidt-Bresnahan Heather Schmidt Bresnahan is running in the Court of Common Pleas judicial race.  

Heather Schmidt Bresnahan, Democratic nomination

Age: 54

Residence: Born and raised in Dormont and still residing there.

Family: Daughter of a stay-at-home mom and a local Pittsburgh artist known for designing the iconic Iron City Beer cans during the 1970s and 1980s, including the We Are Family 1979 Pirate Can for which I posed as the batter on the can; granddaughter of union steelworker and boilermaker grandfathers and a politically active grandmother.

Law School: Duquesne University School of Law, 2001.

Current practice area: Family Law, including child custody, divorce, grandparent custody rights, Protection From Abuse (PFA) orders, child and spousal support, wills and estate administration.

Allegheny County Bar Association rating: Recommended

What makes you the best candidate to serve as a judge in Allegheny County?

My 24 years as an attorney practicing family law gives me the experience, the skill set and the qualifications to be a very good judge. In addition to being a family lawyer for 24 years, I worked full time at the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office while I attended college and law school at night. I understand the workings of the criminal courts and the family courts, and I have real-life experience that I think is very important to have in a judge. I have helped hundreds of families navigate our family court system and have tried hundreds of cases. I have the temperament, compassion and integrity needed to be a fair and good Common Pleas judge. I am honored that the Democratic voters selected me to be one of the eight Democratic nominated judicial candidates.

How will you ensure voters that you will protect their constitutional rights?

When a Common Pleas judge is sworn into office, they solemnly swear to “support, obey and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of this Commonwealth” and to discharge the “duties of the office with fidelity.” I, of course, take that oath very seriously and intend to honor that oath every day, in every case, and in every action as a judge of the Court of Common Pleas.

Courtesy of Jaime Hickton Jaime Hickton is running in the Court of Common Pleas judicial race.  

Jaime Marie Hickton, Democratic nomination

Age: 41

Residence: Whitehall

Family: Married to wife; 3 children, two with special needs.

Law School: Duquesne University School of Law

Current practice area: Family Law (divorce, custody, support, PFAs), criminal defense, juvenile delinquency and juvenile dependency.

Allegheny County Bar Association rating: Recommended

What makes you the best candidate to serve as a judge in Allegheny County?

After being a juvenile probation officer for seven years and then a judicial law clerk in Westmoreland County, I was a prosecutor in the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office for about five years, where I prosecuted cases in the juvenile unit (Family Division — Juvenile) and the Child Abuse Unit (Criminal Division). I then went into private practice, where I handled family law matters (Family Division — custody, support, divorce, protection from abuse, juvenile, dependency), criminal law matters (Criminal Division) and civil law matters like private same-sex adoptions (Orphans’ Division). It is incredibly important that we elect judges who have the depth and breadth of experience that enables them to be ready on Day One because the president judge determines where each judge is assigned. If a candidate has only practiced within one or two divisions, they might get assigned to a division where they have little to no experience. Due to my range of experience, if elected, I will be ready to serve on Day One, regardless of where I would be assigned.

How will you ensure voters that you will protect their constitutional rights?

A judge must apply the law, and our fundamental constitutional rights are guaranteed to everyone in this country. As a judge, I would apply the law fairly and equally to everyone, regardless of where you come from, who you are, who you pray to and who you love.

Courtesy of Matthew Rudzki District Judge Matthew Rudzki of Sharpsburg is running for Allegheny County Common Pleas Court.  

Matthew V. Rudzki, Democratic nomination

Age: 39

Residence: Sharpsburg

Family: Wife, Bridget; three children, Lydia, Lorelei and Theodore

Law School: Duquesne Kline School of Law

Current practice area: Magisterial district judge

Allegheny County Bar Association rating: Recommended

What makes you the best candidate to serve as a judge in Allegheny County?

Foremost, I have been on the bench for four years and in that time have handled over 15,000 cases, am one of about a dozen judges to volunteer for homicide duty, am a trusted jurist and have a balanced, fair and calm judicial temperament — the most important quality of any judge. During my time on the bench, I instituted innovative programs to better serve the people, including therapy dogs and social workers in the court as well as a night court option for school and juvenile matters, as well as working folks and families.

How will you ensure voters that you will protect their constitutional rights?

I will continue to be the bulwark between the people and our government. Our Constitution — and the Bill of Rights in particular — is one of the greatest documents ever drafted. I keep a copy of it on my bench and often refer to it. The framers wrote the Constitution because they wanted to be free from the whims of an arbitrary ruler and granted powers and protections to all. It is the primary function of a judge to ensure that our rights are upheld.

Courtesy of Michele Santicola Michele Santicola is running in the Court of Common Pleas judicial race.  

Michele Santicola, Republican nomination

Age: 55

Residence: Moon Township

Family: Husband, Mike; children Sarah, 21, Michael, 18, and Amir, 18

Law School: Dickinson School of Law/Penn State

Current practice area: Magisterial district judge

Allegheny County Bar Association rating: Highly recommended

What makes you the best candidate to serve as a judge in Allegheny County? I am the only candidate who has been a prosecutor, defense attorney and a judge. I spent 10 years as a deputy attorney general, handling civil, criminal and grand jury cases throughout 23 counties in Western Pennsylvania. I handled jury trials, bench trials, motions, sentencing hearings and grand jury presentments. I took that experience and went into private practice, focusing primarily in criminal defense. I believe the experience of being both a prosecutor and defense attorney is so important as it really helped me to better understand what brings people to the criminal justice system and how it impacts their families. I served as a hearing examiner for the Liquor Control Board for four years, and during that time, I wrote the opinion that ultimately led to the change in Pennsylvania law allowing convenience stores to sell alcoholic beverages. I served as a Moon Township supervisor, helping oversee a $16 million budget and negotiate contracts. For the past six years, I have been a magisterial district judge, presiding over criminal preliminary hearings, including homicide cases, civil cases, traffic citation hearings, landlord-tenant cases, truancy cases and Protection From Abuse petitions. I believe this experience has prepared me well to sit as a Common Pleas judge. I am also the vice chair of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s criminal rules committee.

How will you ensure voters that you will protect their constitutional rights?

Judges and judicial candidates are prohibited from discussing issues that might come before them, so I have to be careful about giving too specific an answer to this question. I can say that a judge’s job is to always protect every citizen’s rights under the Constitution. These protections are not limited to voters. These protections are not limited to those with whom the judge agrees. I can promise to ensure that I will uphold the law.

Courtesy of Jackie Obara Jackie Obara is running in the Court of Common Pleas judicial race.  

Jackie Obara, R

Not actively campaigning

Sarra Terry is running in the Court of Common Pleas judicial race.  

Sarra Terry, R

Not actively campaigning

Courtesy of Alyssa Cowan Alyssa Cowan is running in the Court of Common Pleas judicial race.  

Alyssa Cowan, Republican nomination

Age: 49

Residence: Hampton

Family: Husband, Dr. David Cowan; daughter, Annie (12th grade), and son, Liam (10th grade)

Law School: Temple University Beasley School of Law

Current practice area: Judge, Court of Common Pleas Family Division

Allegheny County Bar Association rating: Highly recommended

What makes you the best candidate to serve as a judge in Allegheny County?

I was appointed to the Court of Common Pleas by Gov. Josh Shapiro. The appointment process included a thorough background check, interview by the Governor’s Judicial Advisory Commission, and vote by the Pennsylvania Senate. I’m running to be elected for a full 10-year term. With both a law degree and a master’s in social work, I’m able to navigate the complex legal and emotional aspects of working as a judge in the Family Division. I bring local, state, national and international experience to this role. I’ve provided trainings on child protection laws across Pennsylvania. At both the ABA Center on Children and the Law and the Field Center at Penn, I’ve participated in child welfare research projects and legislative advocacy at the national level. I’ve presented twice at the International Society of Family Law World Conferences.

How will you ensure voters that you will protect their constitutional rights?

I’m committed to bringing integrity, diligence and empathy to the bench. My judicial philosophy is to ensure a fair, unbiased and accessible courtroom where every litigant has a meaningful opportunity to be heard. Judges can ensure uniform and timely application of the law. My goal is for all participants to leave with confidence in the judicial system — even if the outcome is not in their favor. Commitment to these standards helps to build trust in the judiciary. Additionally, all court system professionals, including judges, have a responsibility to contribute to public education about legal rights and processes.

Courtesy of Bryan Neft Bryan Neft is running in the Court of Common Pleas judicial race.  

Bryan Neft, R

Not actively campaigning

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