Women, Black candidates lead way in Allegheny County Common Pleas race

In the race for 10 seats on the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas, the four leading vote-getters as of 9 a.m. Wednesday were Black, while six of the top 10 were women, according to unofficial results.

Eighteen candidates appeared on the ballot — whittled down from 39 candidates in the primary. Seven of the leading vote-getters ran as Democrats, while three were cross-listed as Democrat and Republican. The eight bottom vote-getters included all seven of the Republican candidates and a Green Party candidate.

They include, in order, with nearly 98% of the vote counted:

• Nicola Henry-Taylor, 49, of Ross (6.9%)
• Tiffany Sizemore, 43, of Churchill (6.81%)
• Elliot Howsie, 53, of Churchill (6.8%)
• Wrenna Watson, 67, of Hill District (6.75%)
• Chelsa Wagner, 44, of North Point Breeze (6.68%)
• Lisa Middleman, 59, of Franklin Park (6.65%)
• Sabrina Korbel, 44, of Ross (6.65%)
• Tom Caulfield, 55, of Forest Hills (6.64%)
• Bruce Beemer, 53, of Bradford Woods (6.41%)
• Jessel Costa, 34, of South Side Slopes (6.34%)

“This year turned out to be historic with so many grassroots candidates,” said Henry-Taylor, the top vote-getter. “I think the message resonated with voters.”

That message, Henry-Taylor said, was one of justice, fairness and equality for everyone who must appear before the bench.

With 10 judges elected Tuesday, she described it as a “generational change.”

“It’s hard to change a culture without having each other to support,” Henry-Taylor said. “We know it’s going to take years of work. Equality takes work.”

Caulfield, who has been a magisterial district judge since 2010, said the change in the makeup of the court is a welcome one.

“The bench in Allegheny County starts to look like the people in Allegheny County,” he said. “It’s long overdue, and it’s a step in the right direction.

“My hope is that people will come in and see themselves reflected by people in positions of power.”

Watson said the same.

“There are a lot of really good judges, but this 2021 class of Common Pleas judges has come with a heart to do things right and see things differently,” she said.

Watson’s father, Judge J. Warren Watson, was the first Black person elected to the bench in Allegheny County. Since his 1965 election, she said, there has never been more than one Black person elected to the bench in a single election cycle.

“This is a very auspicious time in Pittsburgh,” she said. “This city and this county has stepped up and said ‘we want to make a change.’ ”

From the beginning, Watson said, she expects her cohort of new judges to listen, be fair and treat everyone who appears before them with respect.

“That’s the change we can bring from Day One,” she said.

Middleman said voters are looking for people who have served their communities, which everyone on the Democratic slate has done.

“The slate was historic in its lived and professional experience, and I like to think the choices made were based on talent, experience and knowledge,” she said. “The entire experience — sharing this with incredibly talented, dynamic candidates, who all share a vision for the future of the courts — is thrilling for me.”

Caulfield also praised the winning candidates, saying they worked together throughout the general election season.

“The 10 Democrats stood shoulder to shoulder,” he said, noting their diverse backgrounds and experience. “This is what we need in Allegheny County.”

Howsie, who was appointed to the bench in 2019 by Gov. Tom Wolf, called it a “noteworthy moment” in the county’s history and an historic election.

“However, I know that the work does not end with this accomplishment,” he said in a statement. “We have so many opportunities to improve our criminal justice system. While I am humbled by this achievement that would not have happened without the support and consideration of so many, our celebration must be brief because it is time to get to work.”

Those elected to the county trial court earn $189,794 annually and serve 10-year terms. The court includes four divisions: family, civil, criminal and orphans.

There was a relatively large gap between 10th and 11th place in Tuesday’s race. Unofficial tallies showed that Anthony DeLuca collected 4.85% of the votes counted, followed by Joseph Patrick Murphy (4.49%), Mark Patrick Flaherty (4.47%), William Bill Caye (4.31%), Daniel J. Konieczka Jr. (4.27%), Chuck Porter (4.16%), Rick Hosking (3.68%) and Richard L. Weiss (1.87%).

Two judges were up for retention in Allegheny County. Both Judges Alexander P. Bicket and Randal B. Todd easily won additional 10-year terms.