Feb 14, 2019 2 min read

The longtime leader of the Washington County public defender’s office is running for the soon-to-be vacant district judge’s seat in Canonsburg.

Glenn Alterio, 60, of Canonsburg, announced he’ll seek the office that District Judge David Mark has held for four terms. He said last week he plans to retire early next year.

Alterio, who was admitted to the Pennsylvania bar in 1983, has been chief public defender for more than 27 years. He was previously a supervisor in Chartiers Township, where he lived until recently. He resigned in October.

He also spent more than 15 years as solicitor of the Canonsburg-Houston Joint Sewer Authority.

Alterio, a Democrat, said he plans to cross-file in both major parties’ primaries on May 21. State law allows judicial candidates to cross-file, regardless of which party they’re registered with.

District judges in Pennsylvania are elected for six-year terms and are paid more than $91,000 a year.

Alterio is a 1976 graduate of Canon-McMillan High School. He went on to study at Duquesne University, graduating in 1980, and earn a law degree from that school three years later. He will join Canonsburg police Detective Charles Tenny as a candidate for the seat.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect Alterio’s time as as chief public defender.