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KINGSTON — A new district judge will don the robe in the district encompassing Kingston and Edwardsville for the first time in nearly 30 years.
Kingston Mayor Jim Haggerty and Luzerne County prosecutor Mamie Phillips, both registered Republicans, have cross-filed for the post held for 29 years by Paul J. Roberts Jr., who retired in January. Roberts, a Republican, is running unopposed for Kingston mayor.
District judges in Pennsylvania are elected to six-year terms, and are tasked with presiding over preliminary arraignments and hearings in criminal cases, as well as handling minor civil matters and proceedings involving summary offenses. They are compensated $89,438.
The seat is one of 10 up for grabs in this year’s election.
Haggerty, 51, said he’s had his boots on the ground in recent weeks, campaigning door to door and talking to anyone he sees in between to learn what residents of Kingston and Edwardsville expect from their district judge.
Voters, he said, want integrity, a record of accomplishment, and someone who’s not afraid to step up when problems flare up in their neighborhoods.
The outgoing mayor believes he’s the right candidate for the job.
He boasts a resume that includes five consecutive terms as mayor of his hometown, as well as 27 years of public service as an attorney. Upgrades to the Hoyt Library and Kingston pool, as well as construction of the borough’s fire station on Wyoming Avenue, happened during his 20-year tenure.
“One of true privileges of being mayor is I’ve gotten to know so many people, not just in Kingston but in neighboring communities,” Haggerty said. “I’m knocking on doors of people I’ve had relationships with now for two decades. The voters in Kingston love their community, are proud of their community, and they think I’ve served it well as the mayor.”
Should Haggerty lose, however, and find himself out of public service for the first time in decades, he won’t stop serving his hometown.
“There’s plenty of things for concerned citizens to do in their community,” Haggerty said. “Win or lose, I’m going to have plenty to do in Kingston.”
He faces a challenger in Phillips that has thrived in the county district attorney’s office since her hire in 2009, rising from the juvenile division to the violent crimes unit, where she’s prosecuted some of the area’s most notorious criminals.
Double-murderer Hugo Selenski was among seven first-degree murder cases she prosecuted that resulted in jury convictions, she said.
New to politics, the 38-year-old Kingston native said she’s been carrying out a grassroots campaign, often making the rounds through her hometown with her mother. She acknowledged she doesn’t have the same name recognition as her opponent, even joking one man whose door she knocked on recently told her “I’ve been wondering who you were.”
“Here I am,” Phillips told him.
While she felt more at home in front of a jury than a stranger’s front door at first, Phillips found that introducing herself and her accomplishments to residents has been a “tremendous experience.” She said she would miss working at the district attorney’s office, but will bring a “fresh perspective” to the district judge’s seat if elected.
“I can be independent and I think that’s very beneficial,” she said.
Campaign finance forms show Haggerty has outspent his opponent.
His campaign committee received $22,840 in contributions and spent $12,385 between February and May, the latter going largely toward fundraisers, advertising and supplies, his most recent reports show. His contibutions included $350 from political committees of state Rep. Aaron Kaufer and P.S.P.A. of Kingston.
His largest contributors include Burgit City Taxi owner Robert Burgit, insurance agent Frank Crossin, Florida residents Rodney F. and Ruth Sennett, and AVP Transport owner Patrick Hogan. Each donated $1,000.
Phillips’ campaign committee received $11,220 in contributions between January and May, including several donations from area attorneys and members of the county district attorney’s office. District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis was among those in the DA’s office to donate $100 to the campaign.
Political committees of Kaufer and Luzerne County Council hopefuls Sheila Saidman and Phil Gianfarcaro also donated.
The reports show the committee spent $5,946, much of which went toward advertising and fundraisers.
The primary is Tuesday, May 16.
For more local election stories, click here.
