Superior Court losers may yet win
Two who lost in the primary may be nominated to replace the indicted Judge Joyce of Erie.
HARRISBURG - Two Superior Court candidates who won their parties' endorsements but lost in the May primary are seen as strong prospects for a pair of additional nominations that the Democratic and Republican state committees will make next month because of a newly created opening on the court.
But Philadelphia Common Pleas Judge John Younge, a Democrat, and Republican Jacqueline Shogan, a Pittsburgh lawyer, could face competition from within their parties.
The unconventional nominating process was set in motion Monday, when Superior Court Judge Michael T. Joyce of Erie - under indictment by a federal grand jury and suspended by the state Supreme Court - announced that he intends to retire when his term ends in January.
Each party will choose one additional nominee for Superior Court at separate state committee meetings scheduled for Sept. 8 in Harrisburg.
In the Nov. 6 election, the two new nominees and the four chosen in the primary will compete for three openings on the court.
The top three vote-getters will win.
Younge, a Common Pleas Court judge for 12 years, was the only Democratic candidate for Superior Court to muster enough support for the party's endorsement, but he placed fifth in a seven-way primary race.
This time, with only a state committee vote standing between him and the November ballot, Younge also has the backing of Gov. Rendell and state party chairman T.J. Rooney.
Another Philadelphia Common Pleas judge, Anne Lazarus, who finished third in the Democratic primary, is considering seeking the nomination.
But she said she would not contest Younge's nomination if she is convinced before the state committee vote that he is the overwhelming favorite.
In the GOP, Shogan said she is "strongly considering" seeking the nomination, but faces opposition from at least one candidate and maybe several more.
Republican Party leaders are not taking sides.
"It's premature at this point to say that she's a shoo-in," said state GOP spokesman Mike Barley.
Shogan finished third in the three-way primary contest.
Philadelphia Common Pleas Judge Paul Panepinto, who unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination for Supreme Court in the primary, said yesterday that he is seeking the Superior Court nomination.
Two former Superior Court candidates who dropped out before the primary - Glenn Mills Magisterial District Judge Richard Cappelli and Pittsburgh lawyer Templeton Smith Jr. - also said they may run for the GOP nomination.