WAYNE and PIKE COUNTIES, PA — Primary elections are just around the corner in Pennsylvania, with voters to head to the polls on Tuesday, May 20. 

Voters across the commonwealth will see Superior and Commonwealth Court Judges on their ballots, with the Republican primaries for both offices being contested. On the local front, voters in certain parts of Wayne and Pike counties will see contested races for Magisterial District Judge. 

Statewide offices

The Commonwealth Court and the Superior Court are the two Pennsylvania appellate courts hearing cases just below the PA Supreme Court. 

One seat on each court is currently on the ballot, with the incumbents in both seats running for re-election. 

Judge Brandon Neuman is unopposed for the Democratic nomination to retain his seat on the Superior Court. 

The Republican primary has Maria Battista and Ann Marie Wheatcraft facing off to challenge him. Battista has 15 years of experience in criminal, civil and administrative law, and has served as an assistant district attorney. Wheatcraft has served for 13 years as a judge on the Chester County Court of Common Pleas. 

“The opinions issued by our appellate courts have far-reaching impact on each of our lives. My years of experience in civil, criminal and administrative law make me uniquely qualified to serve on the Superior Court, and I humbly ask for your vote on Tuesday, May 20th,” reads a statement on Battista’s campaign website. 

“I decided to run for Superior Court Judge so that I may bring my experience and expertise to a position that will allow me to serve all Pennsylvania citizens. Additionally, too many judges are overstepping their authority and attempting to legislate from the bench,” said Wheatcraft. 

Judge Stella Tsai is running unopposed for the Democratic nomination to retain her seat on the Commonwealth Court. 

The Republican primary has Matt Wolford and Josh Prince facing off to challenge her. Wolford has over three decades of experience practicing law, and focuses part of his practice on protecting private property rights. Prince’s career includes a wide range of different types of law, including cases brought before the Commonwealth Court, holding Pennsylvania state or local governments accountable to the law. 

“My varied experiences as an attorney in the public and private sectors, along with my understanding of government inner-workings and what it takes to own and operate a business in Pennsylvania, make me uniquely qualified for this position,” says Wolford. 

The court “plays a vital role in ensuring that Pennsylvanians are treated fairly and that public institutions follow the law.… I’ve spent my entire career holding the government accountable to the law as written and the Constitution as intended by our founding fathers,” says Prince.

For more on all candidates, visit www.spotlightpa.org/news/2025/04/pennsylvania-primary-election-2025-commonwealth-superior-court-candidates/. 

Magisterial District Judge

The Magisterial District Courts operate often as the first interaction between a Pennsylvania citizens and the justice system, with judges issuing preliminary arraignments, set bail and conducting preliminary hearings. They also preside over civil matters involving monetary disputes of up to $12,000 and criminal matters that carry possible punishments of up to one year imprisonment, as well as traffic violations and tenant-landlord disputes. 

Two Magisterial District Judge seats are up for election this season, with candidates for each cross-filing on the Republican and the Democratic primary lines. 

Jessica Ellis and Wayne Thomas are competing for the District 2 seat in Wayne County; see below for more on this race. 

Paul Menditto and Christina Ballas are competing for the District 4 seat in Pike County, covering Delaware, Lehman and Porter townships. 

Ballas is a former small business owner, and an advocate for families, children and domestic violence survivors. “I have dedicated my life to standing up for others—whether it’s helping small businesses thrive, guiding families through financial challenges, or advocating for those who need a voice. Now, I’m ready to bring that same dedication to the courtroom,” she wrote in a Facebook message. 

Menditto is the incumbent in the role, having served since 2014. “I have been your Magisterial District Judge for over 11 years and have done my best to serve the people of Delaware, Lehman, and Porter townships with fairness and respect,” Menditto wrote in a message on Facebook. 

According to a press release from the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, issued January 25, Menditto was charged with “one misdemeanor count of indecent assault and two summary counts regarding the assault of an employee of” a Milford-based barber shop. 

“The investigation revealed that Menditto was in the barber shop on Aug. 2, 2024, for a haircut when he allegedly kissed a female employee on the neck without her consent,” reads the press release. 

For more information on each candidate, visit Christina Ballas for Magistrate and Paul D Menditto on Facebook respectively.