Two candidates are running for the open district justice seat that covers Tullytown Borough and part of Bristol Township.
Terry Hughes, 66, and Rachael Wagner, 26, are both cross-filed for the May primary and seeking the six-year-term for the court at the county complex by Five Points in Bristol Township.
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The two candidates both said they are dedicated to winning the seat and serving the public.
Wagner has completed the state’s multi-week district judge training program, and Hughes is scheduled to take the course in June.
District courts are the first level of the state’s Unified Judicial System. District judges oversee preliminary arraignments and preliminary hearings; summary offenses; traffic offenses; municipal code violations; landlord and tenant cases; and civil claims where damages are not more than $12,000. District courts are the most common interaction the public has with the judicial system.
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District judges in Pennsylvania do not have to be attorneys.
The seat for Magisterial District Court 07-1-04 is open after District Judge Robert Wagner, who is Rachael Wagner’s father, resigned and retired after 33 years in office. The seat is currently being held by a senior district judge who is filling in.
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Wagner said she hopes to continue her family’s legacy of public service. She said her interest in becoming a district judge grew after watching her father, a former police officer, in the seat and learning more about the law.
“I wanted to follow in his footsteps. He did such an amazing job,” she said of her father.
“I have been interested in the law ever since I was a kid. I was lucky to have the father I do, and we talked about the law and cases he had in court,” Wagner said.
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Hughes steps into the race after retiring from a more than 30 year career in law enforcement.
“To be quite honest, I loved being a police officer and serving the community. I miss the job and serving the community,” Hughes said. “I have real-life and professional experience that would be great for being a judge for our district court.”
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Hughes, who implemented numerous community outreach programs while at the Bristol Township Police Department, said he has brought “hundreds and hundreds” of cases before local district courts, including search warrants, preliminary arraignments, and hearings.
Wagner, who has a degree in psychology, said she will bring a “youthful and fresh face to the court” and is passionate about being fair and impartial.
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“I know I can make a difference in this community,” she said, adding that if elected, she would hope to serve for numerous terms like her father.
“I totally understand how the district court system works. I would rule with common sense and compassion and be fair with people. You have to be fair with people,” Hughes said. “I hope to bring professional and life experience to the bench.”
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Primary election day is May 18. For more information on voting, visit the Bucks County Board of Elections website: https://2021-primary-election-bucksgis.hub.arcgis.com.
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