District Judge Jan Vislosky is set to retire at the end of her term early next January, and Democratic State Rep. John Galloway confirmed he is interested in running for the seat.
Vislosky confirmed her upcoming retirement to LevittownNow.com this week. She plans to apply to work as a fill-in senior district judge once she retires.
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Vislosky has been a district judge in Falls Township for 30 years and served as township tax collector for 12 years before that. Her late mother was a longtime and outspoken politician.
“The wonderful people of Falls Township elected me for 42 years to serve them,” she said, adding she was grateful for the support.
Galloway, a Democrat who represents the 140th Legislative District, said he “would be interested in running” for the district judge seat if Vislosky retired.
Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
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“I have served on the Judiciary Committee and sponsored hundreds of bills dealing with the judicial code, crime and sentencing. The very laws a DJ enforces. I am the president and co-founder of a nonprofit with DA Matt Weintraub that resulted in the largest heroin and fentanyl bust in the history of Bucks County. I am qualified and in a position to give something back to my hometown. The place I have lived my entire life,” Galloway said in a statement.
Galloway said he is proud of his legislative record and getting legislation passed while his party didn’t hold the majority.
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The veteran lawmaker has his credentials making laws and serving on the judiciary committee, but he also has experienced the criminal justice system first hand through his DUI arrests. The lawmaker sought treatment following the 2019 incident.
So far, no other candidates have come forward, but there is still time for candidates to announce and get on the primary ballot.
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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If Galloway would win the primary and general election, his 140th Legislative District seat would open early next year. The opening would be seen as important to Democrats and Republicans in the Pennsylvania House. A special election would be held and its outcome would be seen as key.
Presently, Democrats hold 102 seats in the 203-seat chamber. The Democratic majority is the caucus’ first in a dozen years and the close margin could be lost if Galloway’s seat fell into the hands of Republicans.
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Galloway is a Pennsbury High School graduate who has served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives since 2006. He is a former Pennsbury School Board member and previously worked in the private sector.
Galloway’s 140th Legislative District covers all of Falls Township and Tullytown Borough and part of Middletown Township.
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Below is Galloway’s full statement:
If it is true that Jan Vislosky has decided to retire, I would be interested in running for Falls Twp DJ.
Jan is a great person and a has an impeccable record as a judge for decades.
I love my job. Representing the 140th is the greatest honor of my life. I have brought in more jobs, money and projects than all my predecessors combined.
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I have become a leader in Harrisburg for issues like children’s mental health, addiction and immigration.
I have served on the Judiciary Committee and sponsored hundreds of bills dealing with the judicial code, crime and sentencing. The very laws a DJ enforces.
I am the president and co-founder of a nonprofit with DA Matt Weintraub that resulted in the largest heroin and fentanyl bust in the history of Bucks County.
I am qualified and in a position to give something back to my hometown. The place I have lived my entire life.
Serving the people of Falls Township as their District Judge would be an honor and a privilege.
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