Megan Loughner announces campaign bid for Westmoreland County Clerk of Courts

The woman poised to become the acting Westmoreland County Clerk of Courts later this month hopes to fill the post in a more permanent manner.

Megan Loughner, 35, a Republican from Unity, said she will seek a full four-year term this year to run the courthouse office that handles all criminal court filings.

Incumbent Clerk of Courts Bryan Kline last week was hired as the new county prison warden and will resign his elected position on Feb. 19. Loughner, who serves as Kline’s top deputy, will become acting clerk of courts until a replacement is nominated by Gov. Tom Wolf.

Kline’s term expires at the end of the year.

“I have worked in the Clerk of Courts office for over a decade; six years as the fiscal operations manager and five years as the chief deputy. Now that Bryan has accepted a new position, I am ready to lead the office and have the experience to do so,” Loughner said.

She touted policy changes enacted during Kline’s administration — including the collection of court fines, fees and restitution payments from jail inmates — and the launch of a mobile app that allows the public to access court records and make payments.

Loughner said she will continue plans to implement a state-sponsored program to allow court documents be filed electronically, in addition to traditional methods.

Loughner holds a bachelor’s of science in psychology with a minor in criminal justice from Saint Vincent College. She is a member of the Prothonotaries and Clerks of Courts Association, the Westmoreland Criminal Justice Advisory Board and the Westmoreland County Records Committee.

Kline endorsed her candidacy.

“Megan has been a huge asset with helping to develop and implement collection programs and the new mobile app, and she has my full endorsement. I cannot think of anyone that would be more qualified to lead this office. She is an asset to Westmoreland County and the Clerk of Courts office,” Kline said.