Republican Gina O’Barto will seek reelection as Westmoreland County prothonotary.
O’Barto, 61, of Unity, was first elected in 2021.
She replaced longtime prothonotary Christina O’Brien, a Democrat who served 12 years in office but did not seek reelection four years ago. O’Barto defeated O’Brien’s handpicked successor, former Recorder of Deeds Tom Murphy.
“I have enjoyed helping the public these last three years and will continue to strive to offer the best customer service and welcoming atmosphere into the office while maintaining confidentiality at all times,” O’Barto said.
The prothonotary’s office is where civil and domestic court documents are filed.
O’Barto said her first term included a complete office renovation, extending office hours one day each week to process passport applications and recently started onsite processing at local colleges for students seeking passports to study overseas.
She said plans are in place to replace office computers this year and to revise the rules for the digital filing of court documents, which started in 2021.
The prothonotary job is a four-year term. It comes with an annual salary this year of $85,840.