Post Primary Write-In Ponderings — The smoke has cleared. Party-endorsed Liz Piazza and Brian Burke easily won yesterday’s (May 20) Republican Primary for Delaware County (Pa) Council.
Burke has, as of this morning, 18,965 votes; Liz, 19,231 votes; and 1,661 write in votes are unassigned.
How many did Charlie Alexander get? How many went to the lovely Sharon Devaney. Both ran write-in campaigns albeit Sharon’s was a bit ad hoc and without much effort.
In the Springfield precinct where I work the polls, Charlie got one vote as Charles Alexa and one as Charles Alexande. Neither would likely count. Sharon got one properly spelled. She beat you there, Charlie. I’ll try and do a better job of keeping the little lady in line. Hey, Leah Hoopes also got one vote. That’s a serious crossing of signals.
On a more troubling note for the GOP, Joanne Phillips — one of the Democrat candidates for council — got two write-ins on the Republican ticket.
Frank Agovino better start working on his messaging. Change is critical, unless all of us — including the poor, misguided Ds — want a county with usurious taxes and no hospitals.
The Dems with whom I interacted, by the way, were nice people. I don’t want to see them suffer any more than myself. Just say no to crushing taxes and no health care.
All it takes is leadership and strength.
The wards in Marple, where Charlie lives, had a better write-in response.
Why, write-ins accounted for 13.13 percent of the vote in Marple 7-2.
I’ll grant them to Charlie although I haven’t seen the tickets.
Nice job, Charlie.
By the way, if the GOP defended Charlie’s access to the ballot rather than let him be removed on a technicality, he still would have bigly lost and the last two months could have been spent promoting the relevant issues — health care, taxes — rather than putting on an embarrassing circus.
Unity is necessary. May we all make up.
Turnout was higher for Democrats statewide despite them having no contested races.
Another warning sign for the Republicans.
Concerning the contested state races for the Republicans, endorsed candidate Matt Wolford easily beat insurgent Josh Prince for the Commonwealth Court nomination. On the other hand, insurgent Marie Battista handily beat party-endorsed Anne Marie Wheatcroft for the Superior Court nomination.
Go figure.
Greg Rothman was probably a bad choice to head the state GOP.
Oh, and in my precinct Sharon also got one Democrat write-in for County Council ticket and two write-ins for 6th Ward Commissioner. Sorry, Bob. I’ll try and keep her in line.
She wasn’t even trying. Check out her children’s books published by Grackle that she wrote while recuperating from her 2017 accident. They are quite good. Remember, it’s not about D vs R. It’s about greed vs. freedom.
Please share on social media and print out to give to your friends before voting in tomorrow’s, May 20, primary. You can write in Sharon M Devaney on either party’s ticket.
Two Republicans are seeking the slot for Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court judge in the May 20 primary.
If you’re ever on a quiz show there are only four commonwealth states. with the others being Kentucky, Massachusetts, and Virginia.
Pennsylvania, however, is the only commonwealth with a Commonwealth Court. It was created in 1968.
Commonwealth Court deals primarily with cases brought both by and against the State Government. It is also is involved with cases involved with state departments and local governments.
This year’s open seat is to replace Democrat Eileen Ceisler, who retired in January.
Currently, there are five GOP Judges and three Democrats of the nine required judges. Judges have a 10-year term, and then a retention vote. Refreshingly the mandatory retirement age for Pennsylvania judges is 75.
Seeking the Republican nomination for the seat are Matthew Wolford and Josh Prince.
Wolford is a sole practitioner who specializes in environmental law. His resume includes working as assistant counsel and rgional counsel for the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and as a prosecutor with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General (OAG) He also served as a special Prosecutor for Environmental Crimea for the OAG and the US Attorney for Western Pennsylvania, among other jobs in his career.
He wrote a chapter on oil and gas development in public lands for the Pennsylvania Bar Institute’s The Law of Oil and Gas in Pennsylvania.
Wolford received his Bachelor’s degree from Penn State and has a Temple Law Degree. He is married to Marian and they have four children.
He says his practice partially focuses on (on “defending clients against government enforcement actions and helping clients work through complex regulatory challenges “ and“fighting for private property rights.”
Joshua Prince is the fourth generation of Princes practicing law.
He has a double major from McGill University in political science and world religions. He has his Law Degree from Widener. His Law firm has a primary focus on firearms law issues.
Wolford is the GOP endorsed candidate. Joshua is a prince of a fellow, especially on Gun rights issues.
Josh Prince at a Pennsylvania Supreme Court hearing
The Pennsylvania Superior Court began in 1895 Superior Court of Pennsylvania and is one of our two statewide intermediate courts.
The 15-member court handles criminal cases along with civil cases not involving government. A seat has been vacant since Judge Daniel McCaffrey was elected to Pennsylvania Supreme Court in 2023.
Currently, the Superior Court has eight Democrats and six Republicans.
Competing in the May 20 Republican primary for the nomination to fill the seat are Marie Battista and Anne Marie Wheatcroft.
Marie Battista served as assistant general counsel for the state Department. departments of health and state under governors Corbett and Wolf. She was also a prosecutor in Franklin and Venango Counties along with being a contract specialist for the Department of Defense.
“For those of you who know me well, you probably know that I never intended to be a lawyer. I wanted to a Radio City Rockettet, ” she has said.
She is a graduate of Keystone High School and Clarion University and obtained her law degree from Ohio Northern University. She also has a Doctorate in Education Leadership from the University of Pittsburgh and a master’s degree from Westminster College.
Chester County’s Ann Marie Wheatcraft has served on the Chester County’s Court of Common Pleas since 2012. She introduced “comfort dogs” in Chester County Courtrooms. Judge Wheatcraft had been an assistant district attorney in Chester County.
She has earned her undergraduate degree from Penn State University and her J.D. from the University of New Hampshire Law School. She has volunteered with the Boy Scouts of America and the Avon Grove Wildcats Football League
Judge Wheatcraft is endorsed by the Republican Party of Pennsylvania. Marie Battista is endorsed by those skeptical of the state GOP.
Happy Red Wave Happy Hour — Frank Agovino told us at last night’s, May 13, Red Wave Happy Hour, that the Republican confidence concerning November is real.
Frank is Delco’s GOP Chairman and the event was at DiFabio’s Market and Tap in Upper Providence, one of his several restaurants.
He said the reason for feeling good is the performance by the Democrats controlling the county.
Really, 23.8 percent tax hikes and the destruction of Delaware County’s once great medical system are pretty good issues.
Frank said that he knew that Prospect Medical Holdings of California — which acquired Taylor, Springfield and Crozer Chester hospitals — were greedy vultures 20 years ago when he sat on the Springfield School Board and kept them at arms length.
That the Dems in county government couldn’t do the same shows they are fools or worse.
Another 20 percent county tax hike is coming Delco’s way next year. Its working class will be destroyed unless it wakes up and throws the clowns out.
The event was hosted by the Media Republican Party whose chairman, Michael Straw, is part of the sanity ticket running for Rose Tree Media School Board.
We can’t call it a Republican ticket as the team includes an actual Democrat, Michael says.
The platform is basically, well, sanity. Sanity means stopping such policies as bussing kids 20 minutes to Middletown and Edgmont when they could easily walk to a school in Media Borough.
Also, there is a full slate of Republicas running for Media Borough Council and mayor.
One issue is stopping a bizarre plan by the present mayor to ban cars.
Call this the sanity ticket too.
The primary is May 20. Except for one notable write-in campaign it is smooth sailing for the endorsed candidates.
Media GOP Chairman Michael Straw and Kelly Smolcynski. They are among the sanity team running for RTM School Board.Media mayoral candidate Kevin Kellogg promises he will protect the right of residents to keep and bear cars.
Chester Chairman Endorses Sharon — Our good friend Tessalieni Kelley gave a rousing endorsement to Sharon Devaney’s write-in campaign on Facebook, yesterday.
Sharon is running for the Republican endorsement for Delaware County (Pa) Council in the May 20 primary.
Ali chairs Chester’s GOP and was one of the votes for Sharon at the Delco Republican Party’s endorsement meeting, Feb. 24.
Thanks Ali. Keep doing what you’re doing which is fighting for unity and common sense, among other righteous things.
How To Write In Sharon M Devaney — I wasn’t planning to make an effort, and I’m still not, if you think about it.
Really, how much money does this cost?
But then certain people just tick you off.
If you are interested in writing in Sharon M Devaney for Delaware County Council below is how you do it.
The image below is based on the GOP ballot but if you are a Democrat you may most certainly write me in in your primary. You really don’t want more hospitals to disappear, and the taxes to continually rise by 24 percent, after all.
Wild Night At The Phoenix Grill — Josh Prince’s meet and greet, May 1, at the Phoenix Bar and Grill in Aston was wild.
Not because of Prince, of course.
Prince is the unendorsed Republican candidate for Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court in the May 20 Primary.
He was the scheduled speaker along with Lou Perti, a candidate for Upper Chichester commissioner.
According to our source, Lou brought with him Chichester School Board candidate Tim Crawford; and Tessalieni Kelley, who heads Chester’s GOP.
Also attending was Charlie Alexander. Charlie is running a write-in campaign for Delco Council after being removed from the ballot in a rather cheap trick.. He did get 1,500 signatures, after all.
Charlie, as he is running a campaign and has a strong following, was invited to take the mic as a courtesy to make some short comments.
His attendance, by the way, had not been announced much less that he’d be a speaker.
Well Charlie, as per our source, saw Crawford and Kelley, who he blames for some of his problems. He called them out and the comments became a rant.
After returning the mic, Charlie left the room and touched Crawford on the way out. Some say it was a brush. Some say it was a slap. Regardless, nobody was knocked down or hurt.
The confrontation continued in the parking lot.
We understand a police report was filed later that night but no charges have resulted.
Regarding Prince, the crowd was apparently pleased with what he said.
Advice for Charlie, who actually sometimes has good ideas and articulates them well:
Grow thick skin.
My way or the highway means you end up on the highway.
I sought the GOP endorsement for the May 20 primary for Delaware County Council but I didn’t get it.
Such is life.
I will be writing my name in but that’s a matter of principle.
I’m not expecting to win.
My fiancé says he will be writing my name in too, however, so I’ll have at least two votes.
If one should care to write me in use Sharon M. Devaney.
I’ll be backing the Republican ticket this November, regardless.
Unless it includes a chicken farmer who calls the employers of political opponents to try to get them fired.
While I, too, am sick of 23.8 percent tax hikes; the destruction of Delco’s health care system; and corrupt politicians being rewarded, I guess there is a limit.
And no, I’m not running for Haverford School Board either as some think.
I no longer live in that township, after all.
I’m just a children’s book author. Jack Posobiec is a fan, by the way.
I’m also Delaware County Coordinator for Blexit. With me and Kayleigh McEnany are Seson Adams and Alfe Goodwin, also of Blexit. Alfe is Blexit’s state director.
Well Philly’s DA Election is less than a month away. But is it the only election race that counts in Philly this year? And if not, should it be? There are also races for one judicial seat on the Commonwealth Court (“CC”) and another for the Superior Court (“SC”). Both political parties have candidates running for each judicial seat. There is no doubt that all these elections play a vital role in applying, enforcing, and shaping state and city law. The Primary Election is on May 20. The deadline to register to vote or to change your Party is before that on May 5 Register to vote or switch parties here, in seconds, for free: https://www.pavoterservices.pa.gov/pages/VoterRegistrationApplication.aspx.
Pennsylvania is one of a handful of states that still elects its judges in partisan political elections. This process often frustrates voters because they are not advised on the open positions and the candidates running for them. This should be an essential responsibility of political party leaders (i.e., Chairpersons, Electors, State Committee Persons, Ward Leaders, Committee Persons, etc.); Election Officials; and even attorneys. However, in Philly voters are often misguided into believing these elections are more about supporting President Trump while silently trying to undermine his direction. Such misguidance is wrong, possibly even treasonous. This coming Primary Election is about the safety, health, and welfare of all residents, guests, and businesses within the city. It is Philly First when it comes to the people, law, order and safety, and that is America First.
Since Soros-backed incumbent DA, Larry Krasner, took office on New Years Day, 2018, homicides are up 50% . Gun shooting assaults also increased by 54%. This means that over the past 7½ years, Mr. Krasner’s Office has been successful in failing to prosecute these and other felonies, e.g., robberies, thefts, drug sales, etc. These numbers do not even factor his 2020 failures to prosecute the vandals who torched, destroyed, and looted Philly during the George Floyd riots. In reports of the New York Times, Mr. Krasner’s office dismissed or dropped charges in approximately 98% of the 558 criminal cases related to them. This involved about 544 individuals and 99% of the charges where three-fourths of these cases were related to commercial burglary or trespassing. On behalf of the city, in conjunction with former Mayor Jim Kenney, Mr. Krasner also dropped up to 2,000 summonses. Clearly, during his tenure Mr. Krasner established that he is derelict in his duty to promote public safety. As the city’s Prosecutor and enforcer of the state’s and city’s criminal laws, promoting safety is his job. See PROSECUTORS LIKE KRASNER GO SOFT-ON-CRIME AND IT HAS CONSEQUENCES FOR CITIES
Philly needs to elect a new DA. So who are its registered Republican and Independent Voters going to vote for? Especially since the state and local Republican Party (“GOP”) failed to produce a Trump supporting candidate. Many people are asking. The only person to step up for this challenge is Honorable President Judge Patrick Dugan (retired; Democrat) who sat in Philly’s Municipal Court (“MC”) since five years before Mr. Krasner became DA—you know, before all the above increases. Judge Dugan may not be Pro-Trump, but one thing is for sure, he is not Pro-Soros. And he is Pro-Law & Order—just like President Trump.
So which, if any, of the coming elections are most important to Philly? Are not all PA elections and courts the same? Why would a guy who was a Judge want to be DA? And why is Mayor Cherelle Parker, Council President Kenyatta Johnson, and all of City Council, remaining silent on these elections? Their silence and the answers to these questions reveal why everyone in Philly needs to stop voting straight-lever party lines.
As to all these levels, the CCP serves as the primary trial courts. In Felony Criminal, Family, and Civil matters in excess of $50,000, cases are heard by the judge on bench or by a jury overseen by the bench. It also hears de novo appeals in cases arising from the minor courts. To distinguish, the CC and the SC, as third tier statewide courts, are appellate courts. The CC is unique. PA is the only state in America to have one. Although it is third tier, it handles original civil action claims brought by state and those cases filed against it. The CC also hears appeals raised from final orders of certain state agencies. See PA Statute, 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 761-764. The SC handles appeals of Civil, Family, and Criminal cases arising from the CCP.
These elected positions affect and effect our daily lives. Everyone understands the DA’s job is to protect the public from criminals. But many people have no idea what judges do throughout the different courts to do the same. By understanding their function, it becomes clear that Philly now has a rare opportunity to use Judge Dugan’s experiences and abilities as a MC Judge in the DA’s Office. For these reasons, everyone in Philly should make the DA’s Primary Race their first priority on May 20.
In PA, there are four judicial levels. They make up the Commonwealth’s Unified Judicial System. First, the Minor Courts, being the County Magisterial Courts (Civil & Criminal) and Municipal Courts (Civil, Criminal, and Special, Treatment). Second, the County Courts of Common Pleas (“CCP”) (being Civil, Family, and Criminal). Third, the statewide intermediate appellate courts, being the CC and the SC. Fourth, the State Supreme Court which is the ultimate state authority overseeing all of them. See Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts, Pennsylvania Court Structure @ https://www.pmconline.org/resources/pennsylvania-court-structure (c. 2024) (retrieved April 21, 2025).
As to all these levels, the CCP serves as the primary trial courts. In Felony Criminal, Family, and Civil matters in excess of $50,000.00, cases are heard by the judge on bench or by a jury overseen by the bench. It also hears de novo appeals in cases arising from the minor courts. To distinguish, the CC and the SC, as third tier statewide courts, are appellate courts. The CC is unique. PA is the only state in America to have one. Although it is third tier, it handles original civil action claims brought by state and those cases filed against it. The CC also hears appeals raised from final orders of certain state agencies. See PA Statute, 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 761-764. The SC handles appeals of Civil, Family, and Criminal cases arising from the CCP.
In this coming Primary, Philly has nine vacancies on its CCP. The Democrats have 10 candidates running for them. The GOP failed to nominate any candidates. The same for any of its local grass-root subgroups. As to the MC, there are 3 vacancies. The GOP, as well as any local grass-root subgroups, again failed to nominate anyone; whereas, the Democrats nominated 5 people.
Philly’s DA Office functions in pretty much all of these courts. In essence, the Office is almost always the second responder to crime and the victims, following the Police. If the Office decides to prosecute a case, it will begin in the minor courts. The presiding judge addresses whether the charges are reasonable; if serious enough, transfers them up to the CCP; conducts Preliminary Hearings; decides if bail should be set; and decides minor cases like: misdemeanors and civil small claims; landlord-tenant; and other problem-solving matters. This is what Judge Dugan did fairly and objectively for twelve years. Philly now needs him to apply those experiences as DA.
As to the noted judicial vacancies, there are excellent candidates in each race. For the CC, the GOP nominated attorney, Matthew Wolford, Esquire, while a local grass-root subgroup, opposed it and nominated attorney, Joshua Prince, Esquire. On the other side, the Democrats nominated Honorable Stella Tsai of the Philadelphia County CCP. She is running unopposed. For the SC vacancy, the GOP nominated Honorable President Judge, Anne Marie Wheatcraft, of the Chester County CCP. The same local grass-root subgroup, opposed and nominated attorney, Maria Battista, Esquire. The Democrats nominated Honorable Brendan P. Neuman of the Washington County CCP. He is running unopposed. For the CCP, the Democrats have 11 nominations for 9 vacant seats, and 6 nominations for 3 vacant seats in the MC. Sadly, neither the GOP, nor its local subgroup, produced any candidates. Interested in them? See the City Commissioners’ website at: https://vote.phila.gov/voting/candidates-for-office/. See also Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts, Meet the Candidates, 2025 Judicial Election @ https://www.pmconline.org/current-judge-selection-process (providing more details).
There is no doubt that every judicial candidate is qualified. But the Republican nominations only beckon the questions: If the GOP can find and nominate Republicans to run for intermediate level judicial vacancies, why did they not find and nominate ones to run for DA , CCP, or MC, in their coming Primary? Are the members of the GOP not really Trump Supporters? So why are they not following President Trump’s direction? The same goes for all local GOP grass-root subgroups.
It may very well be because those same leaders of the GOP tend to mislead their local subgroups. For example, back in February, many grass-root GOP subgroups throughout the state were at odds with their GOP, while simultaneously relying on it for party-related advice. They were disputing over who should be the next GOP Chairman. It could also be because certain subgroups, in actuality, were assisting the Democrats and the RINOs in dividing the Party to promote a candidate favorable to them. These circumstances reveal two significant problems within the state and local GOP—leadership and guidance.
The coming Primary makes it more obvious. For the CC, the GOPs endorsed Mr. Wolford. But, after receiving GOP advice, certain local grass-root subgroups endorsed Mr. Prince. For Superior Court, the GOPs endorsed Judge Wheatcraft. But, after receiving GOP advice, those local grass-root subgroups endorsed Ms. Battista. In the DA’s Race, despite knowing that a candidate needs to win in the Primary, the GOPs failed to produce a candidate and near simultaneously proposed that all Republican Voters use the Primary to “nominate” Judge Dugan as a write-in candidate. They call this the suburban “Pike-Allegheny County Plan”. And with this, the local grass-root subgroups that endorsed Mr. Prince and Ms. Batista agree. Sounds like a really great and elaborate plan of the Democrats and RINOs to win everything in November but the DA’s Office. Remember, in Philly the Democrats straight-lever always wins. And with this Pike-Allegheny Plan, Judge Dugan will not be part of that straight lever.
It means nothing to be a Trump Supporter if you do not follow his direction. He has proven that he will work with Democrats if they will work with him. He even hired some from Philly to defend him in his last Impeachment Trial. So in this coming Primary, that direction is to win by promoting law enforcement, order, and public safety. That would be a vote for Judge Dugan as a Democrat over Mr. Krasner in the Primary. One thing is for sure, he may not like President Trump, but his Honor agrees with that direction. Whether he likes President Trump is immaterial, irrelevant, highly prejudicial, and only serves to confuse the 2025 Elections before the Primary, and well before the General in November. If allowed to do so, Mr. Krasner and George Soros win.
They know that as well.
Need help registering to vote? Have questions? Contact the Soul of America, LLC, by email at: Admin@TheSOA.ORG, or telephone at: 215-222-1732; andwww.TheSOA.ORG.
And may God always Bless and keep Philadelphia and America safe.
