The candidates below are in statewide contested races. Because a number of candidates have cross-filed, they are listed in alphabetical order by first name rather than in ballot order. If a race is not listed, it was not contested.
Judge of the Commonwealth Court (10-year, vote for 1)
Josh Prince
Party: Republican
This candidate has not completed the 2025 primary election voters’ guide.
Matt Wolford
Party: Republican
Contact: Web site, Facebook page
What is your occupation? Attorney
What experiences qualify you to hold this office? The Commonwealth Court handles cases concerning State and local government. As a deputy attorney general, I litigated civil cases on behalf of Commonwealth agencies and employees in the Courts of Common Pleas of Philadelphia and surrounding counties early in my career, which included appeals to the Commonwealth Court. I later served as a sdtate prosecutor for the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General and as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania; and then as a staff attorney and Regional Counsel for the Pennsylvania Office of General Counsel, again handling litigation and appeals before the Commonwealth Court. My government service in various capacities provided valuable experience representing state government and also provided insight into the inner-workings of government agencies.
Since leaving government service, I have been representing clients against government agencies (primarily the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection). I have also handled cases involving local municipal matters, such as zoning cases and appeals. I have litigated cases in State and federal courts, as well as in government agency tribunals such as the Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board and the Underground Storage Tank Indemnification Fund (appeals from which are taken to the Commonwealth Court).
During my 25 years in the private sector, I have represented a diverse group of clients, including individuals, landowners, farmers, small businesses, large businesses, and trade associations. Such matters include defending against government enforcement actions, permitting and permit appeals, dealing with complex regulatory schemes, easement disputes, and disputes involving homeowners associations. A common theme representing private sector clients against the government is protection of individual freedoms and private property rights, which is typical of cases handled by the Commonwealth Court. In sum, my varied experiences in the public and private sectors make me the most qualified candidate for judge of the Commonwealth Court.
What makes you the best candidate for this position?
I have the most relevant experience in both the public and private sectors to serve as a judge on the Commonwealth Court. In addition, I am a leader in the legal community, such as formerly serving as Chair of the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Environmental and Energy Law Section, and currently serving as the Section’s Education Liaison to the Pennsylvania Bar Institute (“PBI”) and as a longtime member of the Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board Rules Committee. As a government attorney, I quickly rose to leadership positions, including attorney-in-charge of a field office and Regional Counsel of a regional office. I have been a dedicated educator, lecturing extensively for PBI, county bar associations, and other organizations. I was an adjunct professor at three colleges, including Gannon University for over 20 years. For these and other reasons, the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Judicial Evaluation Commission rated me “Highly Recommended” for the position.
In addition, my wife and I are both small business owners; and, as such, I understand how government overregulation makes Pennsylvania less welcoming for business and industry, which hinders our economy. It is important for the judiciary to be neutral and impartial, but not allow government to unreasonably encroach on individual rights. I have strong family values: my wife and I have been married for 32 years and raised four children who are pursuing successful careers. I am committed to my local community, as demonstrated by decades of service on the Presque Isle State Park Complex Advisory Committee and Presque Isle Partnership. In short, I am a proud lifelong Pennsylvanian; I cherish Pennsylvania’s rich history and natural beauty; I want Pennsylvania to be a desirable place to live, work, play, raise a family and/or pursue other interests; and I recognize the high importance of the Commonwealth Court to Pennsylvania’s future success.
What issues are priorities for you?
My priorities for serving as a judge are shaped by my judicial philosophy: judicial restraint. This philosophy incorporates concepts commonly referred to as “originalist” or “strict constructionist,” which convey relying on the text of the Constitution and/or statutes, understanding the intent of the Framers and/or legislators, and applying the facts of a case to the law as written. Judicial restraint is somewhat broader in scope, including that judges should defer to legislative intent, interpret statutes in a manner that avoids constitutional issues when possible, avoid striking down statutes unless they are clearly unconstitutional, and not interfere with political process or legislate from the bench. In this regard, I am strongly opposed to the recently reported practice of some activist U.S. District Courts issuing orders to enjoin actions of the federal Executive Branch. As explained in response to a previous question, I personally would like to see Pennsylvania thrive as a desirable place to live, work, play, raise a family and/or pursue other interests; and I believe the Commonwealth Court will play a role in accomplishing this goal. Consistent with my judicial philosophy, however, I do not believe it is appropriate for a judge to bring “priorities” to the bench other than integrity, fairness to the parties, dignity and respect for those appearing in court, hard work, common sense, and the overall objective of pursuing justice in all cases. These are my priorities for serving as a judge on the Commonwealth Court.
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Judge of the Superior Court (10-year, vote for 1)
Ann Marie Wheatcraft
Party: Republican
Contact: Web site, Facebook page
What is your occupation? Judge of the Court of Common Pleas
What experiences qualify you to hold this office? I participated in the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s judicial evaluation process and received the highest rating the Association confers. “The candidate is an experienced jurist known for her high degree of professionalism, good judicial temperament, excellent character, and undisputed integrity… . Her opinions are organized, thorough and well-reasoned. The candidate has taken great strides to improve the quality of justice in Chester County… . Due to her broad experience as a practicing attorney, proven record of judicial leadership, high ethical standards and dedication to the legal profession, the commission is confident that the candidate would serve with distinction as a Superior Court judge and highly recommends her candidacy.” www.Pabar.org, 2025 Superior Court Judicial Evaluation Commission Report
My 25 years of daily courtroom experience as a litigator and as a trial court judge make me an ideal candidate for the appellate work of Superior Court. At the request of the Administrative Office of PA Courts, I have been teaching criminal court practice to newly elected Common Pleas judges since 2016. My many years in family court and experience presiding in civil court ensure that I have the appropriate experience in all areas of practice under Superior Court’s purview. I have a thorough, innate understanding of trial practice, rules of evidence, and rules of procedure. Over the years having to write appeal opinions for my own cases, I have come to understand the appellate process and that process informs the decisions and rulings I make.
What makes you the best candidate for this position?
PA voters should pick me to fill the vacant Superior Court seat because I have a well-documented history of applying the law fairly and impartially to all in our Chester County community. In December 2024, my colleagues unanimously elected me to serve as President Judge for our county, demonstrating their respect for my work and faith in me to administer the Chester County judiciary. For 25 years I have strived to improve our justice system by working on, and expanding, our treatment courts and serving on the Pennsylvania Association of Treatment Court Professionals that seeks to improve our justice system for all Pennsylvanians. In 2014, when I learned of a court that brought in a facility dog to help children feel less stress when they have to be in court, I started a long campaign to secure a facility dog for Chester County. In 2021 we were finally able to bring on “Stormy” to aid children, victims of crime, employees, and most recently, jurors. I have received the endorsement of my local FOP Lodge 11.
What issues are priorities for you?
It is important for me to continue to do my work as a jurist as I always have, treating all with respect and fairness. Whether I have a litigant in my courtroom or am addressing a motion or filing, I treat all as I expect to be treated. Our US and PA Constitutions promise equal protection under the law. A judge is not to legislate from the bench but is to apply the law as it is to every case regardless of the identity of the parties. Appellate courts are tasked with ensuring that trial courts do just that. Having served for 14 years as a trial judge I am the ideal candidate to review the work of other trial court judges. It is the responsibility of the appellate courts to insure that the trial courts are moving cases through our justice system in a timely manner in addition to reviewing their legal rulings. It is also incumbent on appellate courts to review matters related to defense attorney representation of their clients.”
Maria Battista
Party: Republican
This candidate has not completed the 2025 primary election voters’ guide.