Three openings on top Pa. court draw lots of interest

Pennsylvania’s judicial elections tend to be mundane affairs, but this year has something likely to shake things up: three open seats on the seven-justice state Supreme Court.

More than a dozen hopefuls, including judges from lower courts and lawyers from outside the judiciary, are lining up in hopes of being among the top three vote-getters in the November election.

The election outcome could easily flip the Republican Party’s slim 4-3 majority, and the simultaneous influx of so many new members is bound to change the face of the court in unpredictable ways.

Lynn Marks, director of Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts, says the election will result in “a sea change on the court,” as the new court works to repair an image tarnished by scandal and corruption.