Clearfield, Pennsylvania – Voters in Clearfield County will choose a new judge for the Court of Common Pleas during the upcoming general municipal election on Nov. 4. This decision follows the announcement in January that Fredric Ammerman, the county’s president judge, will retire at the end of 2025 after 31 years of service. Paul Cherry, the current judge, is set to assume the role of president judge next year.
The candidates vying for the vacant position are Democrat Josh Maines and Republican Ryan P. Sayers. The newly elected judge will oversee legal proceedings for more than 77,000 residents in this central Pennsylvania county. Unlike other public office candidates, those running for judicial positions are constrained in their ability to promise specific legal outcomes or campaign on particular issues.
Pennsylvania’s Courts of Common Pleas are structured into 60 judicial districts, serving predominantly as trial courts where criminal cases are initiated. They also adjudicate a wide range of civil matters related to family law, custody disputes, and juvenile offenses. Judges in these courts serve 10-year terms and can be re-elected indefinitely until reaching the mandatory retirement age of 75.
Maines, who previously worked as a trial attorney and served as an assistant district attorney, secured his spot as the Democratic candidate by receiving 2,026 votes during the May primary—a significant portion of the total 4,222 votes cast. He emphasizes the importance of fairness and impartiality within the judicial system and cites his extensive legal experience across various common pleas courts as preparation for the role.
One of Maines’ main priorities, he notes, is addressing the lack of resources and programs in the court system geared toward substance abuse and mental health issues. He aims to implement treatment courts to better help individuals struggling with these challenges. Additionally, Maines hopes to modernize court processes, including making courtrooms more digitally accessible.
On the Republican side, Sayers, the current district attorney, emerged victorious in his primary with 3,644 votes out of 9,347 total ballots cast. He asserts that Clearfield County deserves a judge who upholds the rule of law and operates with fairness and integrity. His experience with both criminal prosecutions and civil matters equips him to manage the court’s significant caseload effectively.
Sayers highlights the pressing need for improvements in case management, noting that Clearfield County has faced higher-than-average criminal case loads in the past several years compared to similarly sized areas. Among his initiatives is the creation of a drug court aimed at helping individuals overcome addiction, leveraging county opioid settlement funds for this purpose.
In addition to their campaign platforms, both candidates have received endorsements from various local figures and organizations. Maines has earned support from former judge Patrick Ford and several community leaders, while Sayers has endorsements from notable politicians and community heads, including U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson and state Senator Cris Dush.
As the election approaches, the candidates’ differing visions for the court system will shape the dialogue among voters, making the judicial seat a critical focal point for Clearfield County’s future.
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