DEMOCRATS RETAIN CHESTER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS BOARD MAJORITY WITH MAXWELL/MOSKOWITZ VICTORIES, ADD ROW OFFICE SWEEP; COUNTY COURTS TURN MORE BLUE AS BLACK, FORZATO, MADDOX, MCCABE, AND RYAN WIN JUDICIAL SEATS.
The unusual number of openings on the Court of Common Pleas led to a spirited campaign, with this August’s county prisoner escape and capture playing a part. Despite misguided attacks on current District Attorney Deb Ryan and Sheriff Fredda Maddox who played no role in the escape, both won judicial seats as did current sitting judge Nicole Forzato, Sarah Black, and Thomas McCabe.
The Democrats also swept Chester County Row Offices, continuing that trend, as voters have continued to favor the progress and services of the incumbents and their staffs.
According to Chester County Democratic Chairwoman Charlotte Valyo, “Chester County voters chose to re-elect Democrats to lead the county government. The excellent leadership and governance of Commissioner Moskowitz and Commissioner Maxwell have made Chester County the healthiest place to live in the state and at the same time we have the lowest unemployment rate and highest median income in the state. They successfully led the County through a pandemic, a hurricane, hospital closings and a devastating fire.”
Valyo continued, “History was made tonight by electing five Chester County Court of Common Pleas judges, all running as Democrats. Fredda Maddox is the first African American Woman to sit on the Court and Sarah Black is the first female Public Defender to sit on the Court. Judge Nicole Forzato, Deb Ryan, and Tip McCabe will bring varied and impressive experience to the bench. We are proud of the candidates and these accomplishments.
Voters elected District Attorney, Chris de Barenna-Sarobe, and Sheriff, Kevin Dykes, to bring fair and equal justice and safety to the courts. Diane O’Dwyer was elected Recorder of Deeds and will continue her work in that office. Prothonotary, Debbie Bookman, and Register of Wills, Michele Vaughn, were re-elected based on the innovative improvements they have made in their respective departments.”
Elsewhere in the county, it appears that the large donor support from outside far-right conservative groups such as the Moms for Liberty to local Republican school director candidate campaigns failed to sway most voters.
Statewide, Democrats have apparently registered significant victories in judicial races, sweeping races for Supreme Court (Dan McCaffery), Superior Court (Jill Beck and Timika Lane), and Commonwealth Court (Matt Wolf).
