Westmoreland prosecutor makes 2nd bid for Derry district judge seat

A two-decade veteran of the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s office has announced a second campaign for the district judge seat in Derry.

Kelly Tua Hammers, 49, a Democrat from Derry Township, said she will run to replace retiring District Judge Mark Bilik. He announced last month his planned retirement in August, just a few months before the end of his fifth six-year term in office.

Bilik, 65, defeated Hammers in both the Democratic and Republican primaries in 2015.

“I am no stranger to the Derry community or to our proud history. From my education, experience, and high ethical standards as an attorney, I am also no stranger to working hard and making difficult decisions. I want to bring my public service to make a difference in my hometown where it matters to me,” Hammers said.

She said she will run in both the Democratic and Republican primaries in May.

Hammers has been an assistant district attorney in the county since 1997 and specializes in prosecutions of sexual assaults, civil asset forfeiture cases and juvenile crimes. She also serves as an instructor for the Municipal Police Academy at Westmoreland County Community College teaching criminal law, civil law, and search and seizure, and legal updates.

Hammers is a Derry Area Senior High School graduate and holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Pittsburgh and a law degree from Dickinson School of Law.

She teaches religious education to third through fifth graders at Saint Rose and Saint John the Evangelist churches, sings with the church choir and also serves as flutist.

She is married and has two teen-aged children.