THREE COUNTYWIDE REASONS TO VOTE ON NOVEMBER FOURTH

 

In last week’s commentary I discussed the importance of the upcoming election as it relates to the retention vote for three Supreme Court Justices. Overall, each local election is important and deserves careful vetting of candidates prior to filling-out and returning a mail-in ballot or visiting a polling place on November 4. This commentary will give my opinion on three voter decisions of significance to all county residents.  

Judge Brandon Neuman for Superior Court.  Judge Brandon Neuman is clearly the more qualified candidate for the vacancy on Superior Court. Neuman has served as a Washington County Judge since 2018 and is now running for this statewide judicial office. This is a rare opportunity for Washington County voters to support one of their own judges in an important judicial position that reviews lower court verdicts across Pennsylvania.

Traditionally, candidates serving on Superior Court are from urban areas like Allegheny, Montgomery or Philadelphia counties where there is a large base of familiarity and financial support. Neuman will bring a distinctive “Washington County” perspective to Superior Court, reflecting our unique community and his knowledge of issues in Southwestern Pennsylvania.

This diversity helps produce rulings where all positions are considered.

 

Prior to taking the bench, Judge Neuman served four terms with distinction in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. His work on the House Judiciary Committee, Commission on Crime/Delinquency, Commission on Criminal Sentencing, and on other subcommittees, gives him a strong background in state government and on important legal issues facing the Commonwealth.

Judge Neuman was honored to be “highly recommended” by the non-partisan Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA) Judicial Evaluation Commission. The commission concluded, “His opinions demonstrate knowledge of substantive and procedural legal issues and the ability to provide good factual background and well-developed legal arguments.”

 

Neuman’s opponent, Maria Battista, has worked as a county prosecutor and as counsel in state government. She has never served or been elected to any judicial office. Because Battista refused to participate in the PBA rating process to evaluate her qualifications for Superior Court, she was not recommended.

Judge John DiSalle for Retention.  In Washington County, Judge John DiSalle is on our local ballot, running for retention. In 2005, he appeared on the Republican ballot and won his first term.  Judge DiSalle has earned the right to remain on the bench and to continue to work for the citizens of Washington County. Following a recent poll of county lawyers, the President of the Washington County Bar Association, Deana Stephens, announced, “with a 72% retention vote for Judge DiSalle, we are confident in recommending his retention.”

As I explained in my last commentary that discussed the judicial retention process, “In a retention election, voters cast a "yes" or "no" vote on whether a judge should be granted another ten-year term. There are no opponents or party affiliation listed for these races… Retention elections are designed to be a non-partisan means for voters to weigh in on the overall judicial acumen and competence of members on the bench.”

My prior commentary also explained, “Pennsylvania's judicial retention policy originated at the 1968 Constitutional Convention as a reform measure intended to reduce partisan political influences on the judiciary. In order to make the process as non-political as possible, the names of retention candidates appear on a separate area, at the end of the November ballot, apart from individuals running for other elective offices.”

Judge DiSalle has performed his judicial functions admirably for nearly twenty years and served for three years in the administrative position of President Judge. He currently presides over homicide cases, Family Court cases, and domestic violence matters. As a cutting-edge jurist, DiSalle reconstructed the county’s diversionary programs in substance abuse, veterans’ issues, and mental health. In appropriate cases he permitted offenders to seek treatment as an alternative to incarceration. He also created the county’s DUI Treatment Court to provide treatment for driving under the influence offenders.

During DiSalle’s tenure as President Judge, he implemented a state-of-the- art court docketing system to provide online access to the court’s dockets and for the electronic filing of pleadings and documents. DiSalle worked closely with the county commissioners to initiate substantial remodeling of the courthouse. Under his leadership needed repairs were made and construction of a new courtroom was completed for the county’s seventh Judge.

Heather Sheatler for Controller. In 2024, Heather Sheatler, a Republican, was appointed by the Republican Commissioners and sworn in as Washington County’s acting Controller. Sheatler had worked in the county controller’s office for 22 years and before her appointment served as deputy controller. Sheatler incurred the ire of the Republican Commissioners by doing her job and, among other issues, challenging their movement of federal grant funds into an unauthorized checking account.

 

The Republican Commissioners supported an alternative candidate, Pat Philips, who won the primary. Sheatler came in second place in the Republican primary but a write-in campaign gave her the Democratic nomination.  

During her appointment, Sheatler has brought stability and professionalism to the controller’s office. She deserves to be elected in her own right. Disagreements between her office and the commissioners should not be taken lightly. Her prudent decisions demonstrate that she understands the importance of placing taxpayers before politics. She will provide an ongoing transparency and watchdog function on finances that Washington County desperately needs.

It is not often that an “off year election” offers two elections and one retention of critical importance to local voters. When added to the Supreme Court retention votes, discussed last week, there is every reason to exercise the important right to vote.