Election 2023: State Rep. Kristine Howard Runs For Judgeship

MALVERN, PA – State Rep. Kristine Howard announced Tuesday her candidacy for a judgeship on the Chester County bench.

Howard is serving her third term representing District-167, which consists of Malvern borough and Charlestown, East Whiteland, West Pikeland, West Whiteland, West Vincent and East Caln townships.

There are five vacancies on the 12-judge bench.

So far, 12 candidates have announced they are running in the May primary for a 10-year term serving the residents of Chester County. Judges earn an annual salary of $197,119.

Howard, a lawyer, is serving her third, two-year term as a Democratic legislator after being reelected in November.

" My work as a legislator gives voters a clear picture of the perspective I will bring to the bench,” Howard said in announcing her candidacy. “I have an extensive voting record and have written and published my opinions on many topics.”

Legislative experience

Howard of East Whiteland Township said her decision to run for the judge was not easy, noting she loves her job as a lawmaker, a job which provides the public with her position on issues impacting the resident of Pennsylvania.

Howard’s district covers 73.7 square miles and has a population of 66,501.

Howard introduced a bill to protect a woman’s right to an abortion, codifying Roe v. Wade, in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in June 2022 to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade decision.

Howard has earned the title of a Pennsylvania Environmental Champion from the Conservation Voter of PA, a state political action group dedicated to the environment.

She has been endorsed by Cease Fire Pa, Sierra Club, Clean Water Action, Moms Demand Action, Planned Parenthood, AFL-CIO, and the Service Employees International Union.

She also garnered support from PSEA-PACE, a group that supports public education, and Emily’s List, a political group that helps elect Democratic female candidates.

After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, Howard earned a law degree at Rutgers’s Law School.

Howard said her intention was to practice in the interest of the public.

Howard cited her background serving as director of a legal aid clinic, representing children in foster care, working as a child abuse investigator, being a member of the Governor’s Juvenile Justice Reform Task Force, and her appointment to the House Judiciary Committee as experiences that will allow her to bring “important points of view to the court.”

The Juvenile Justice Taskforce conducted an extensive view of the juvenile court system. The report concluded that most juveniles are not likely to commit crimes as an adult and over-involvement in the system can increase their risk of reoffending.

Candidates for judge

According to the Pennsylvania Department of State, Howard and Judge Nicole Forzato are running on the Democratic ticket. The other 10 candidates cross-filed on both Republican and Democratic tickets.

They are Dave Black, Andy Rongaus, District Attorney Deb Ryan, P.J. Redmond, Don Kohler, Sheriff Fredda D. Maddox, Thomas McCabe, Judge Lou Mincarelli, Sarah Black, and District Judge Paige Simmons.