Incumbent district judge challenged by political newcomer
One of the offices Washington County voters will see on the ballot this year is magisterial district judge, and a race is developing in the district that includes North Strabane and South Strabane townships and East Washington Borough.
District Judge Jay Weller, who is seeking a fifth, six-year term, ran unopposed in the 2011 election. Also announcing his candidacy is Lawrence Fowler. Both men are residents of North Strabane Township.
Judicial candidates can “cross-file,” which means they can seek nominations from both the Democratic and Republican parties in the May 16 primary.
Before becoming a district judge, Weller was a police officer for 15 years in North Strabane and Peters townships.
A graduate of Shippensburg University, he received a master’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs. He is a former adjunct professor at California University of Pennsylvania’s criminal justice program, where he taught for 12 years.
Weller is also a past president of the Pennsylvania Special Court Judges Association, where he was elected by fellow district judges from across the state and Philadelphia Municipal Court judges.
He is a former North Strabane volunteer firefighter and a volunteer with the Canonsburg VFW ambulance service.
Weller’s caseload continues to be among the highest in Washington County with 6,730 filed in 2016, including 864 criminal cases. The district court over which he presides collected $784,381 in state and local fines, county court costs and restitution last year. His office last month received recognition from Thomas Darr, court administrator of Pennsylvania for an exemplary audit report conducted by the auditor general’s office for 2012 through 2015.
Weller, 62, and his wife, Christine, have two sons, Ryan Brady and Christopher Weller.
Also announcing his candidacy is Lawrence D. Fowler, a state constable elected from the township.
In a news release, Fowler called for a change in officeholders.
He called himself “a strong supporter of law enforcement and the justice system (who) believes that everyone must be treated equally under the law. The office of district justice is the foundation of Washington County’s justice system and fairness and impartiality of law and justice must begin in that office. If elected, I will serve the people of the county to the best of my ability for as long as they deem me worthy to do so.”
Fowler, 43, a lifelong resident of Washington County, grew up in Avella. Before becoming a constable, Fowler was an automotive and heavy equipment mechanic for more than 25 years. He and his wife are parents of three children.
He said he strives of improve relationships between Washington County residents and law enforcement and believes all stakeholders need to work together for the county to continue to grow and prosper.
“The people of Washington County deserve to always receive fair, impartial, and expedient services from the magistrates of the county,” he said. The state set the salary for magisterial district judges at $88,290.