Meet the judicial candidates for the 2021 general election. Learn more about their qualifications and what makes them stand apart from their opponents.
Judge Maria McLaughlin
Running for Pennsylvania Supreme Court
- Was elected to the PA Superior Court in 2017
- She serves as liaison between the Pennsylvania Bar Association and the Superior Court
- Judge McLaughlin worked as an Assistant District Attorney in Philadelphia
- Later, she served as Chief of the Child Support Enforcement Unit.
- She was one of the youngest female Chiefs ever appointed in Philadelphia. Her life was dedicated to protecting the rights of children.
- As a single mother and judge on the Court of Common Pleas – Family Division, it was important to her to safeguard the rights of children.
- She is known for her commitment and compassion both on and off the bench.
Click here to visit her Facebook page.
Click here to visit her website.
Judge Lori Dumas
Running for the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court
- Has served on the bench for over 18 years
- She is an impactful voice in Philadelphia
- Served as a Common Pleas Court Judge in the Philadelphia Family Court – Juvenile Division, where she fought for fair and equal justice for Philadelphia’s most vulnerable children and families.
- She has presided over thousands of trials, both jury and non-jury
- While serving in Family Court, Judge Dumas was a leader in creating the First Judicial District’s Juvenile Human Trafficking Court, which provided services to victims of commercial exploitation. She led many initiatives to ensure that system children were the beneficiaries of services to lead them to success.
- In the community, she educates about human trafficking victims, trauma and the Court’s role as a change agent in the lives of vulnerable children.
- She serves as the local chair of a national anti-violence program which uses literacy as a therapeutic tool to assist youth who have been traumatized by violence.
Click here to visit her website.
Click here to visit her Facebook page.
Judge David Spurgeon
Running for the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court
- Has served in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas since 2016. Assigned to the Family Division, he handles all matters involving children and families.
- He has been recognized as a national expert on domestic violence
- He currently serves as the Chair of the Family Violence Work Group for the 5th Judicial District.
- He joined the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office as an Assistant District Attorney in 1998
- In 2009, Judge Spurgeon was the youngest person promoted to Deputy District Attorney.
- He implemented the first Intimate Partner Violence Homicide Review Team to identify systematic breakdowns and prevent future violence.
Click here to visit his website.
Click here to visit his Facebook page.
Judge Timika Lane
Running for Pennsylvania Superior Court
- Her legal career has been defined by her desire to serve the community
- She worked as a major trial attorney for the Defender Association of Philadelphia, litigating complex criminal jury and waiver trials for indigent adults and youth in Philadelphia’s criminal justice system.
- Later on, she became Chief Legal Counsel for State Senator Anthony H. Williams
- She served as the Democratic Executive Director for the PA State Senate State Government Committee, challenging PA’s restrictive Photo ID law, organizing rallies and drafting legislation to counter its disparate impact on seniors, minorities, LGBTQ+ and the poor.
- She was elected to the Court of the Common Pleas in 2013
- Judge Lane received a rating of “Recommended” for Superior Court by the Pennsylvania Bar Association in 2021
Click here to visit her website.
Click here to visit her Facebook page.
