Simms wins GOP, Democratic nominations for Greene County judge
Waynesburg attorney Chris Simms won both the Republican and Democratic nominations for Greene County Court of Common Pleas judge during Tuesday’s primary, paving the way for him to take the bench at the courthouse next January.
Simms easily defeated fellow attorney Patrick Fitch in the Republican primary, while also cross-filing as an uncontested Democratic candidate to also win that nomination.
By winning both nominations, he is now poised to become the next judge in Greene County, replacing outgoing President Judge Lou Dayich, who announced earlier this year he was retiring from the bench after being elected in 2015 and serving one term on the bench.
Simms did not immediately respond to a phone message seeking comment on his election night victory.
With all 42 precincts reporting Tuesday night, Simms won 59.4% of the vote in the Republican primary compared to the 40.6% for Fitch, who is a public defender in Washington County.
Simms, 39, is currently a partner at Pollock Morris Belletti & Simms law firm in Waynesburg. He graduated from West Greene High School and Washington & Jefferson College, and earned his law degree from Duquesne University.