Candidate Profile 2021: Michael Petrucci, District Judge

NEWTOWN, PA — Magisterial District Judge Michael 'Mick' Petrucci is a Republican running for reelection of his current position.

Petrucci was elected in 2015 to replace District Judge Donald Nasshorn, who passed away in 2014. Since then, Petrucci, a former small business owner, has held the position of Magisterial District Judge. He formerly served as a Pennsylvania State Constable.

The general election will take place on Nov. 2.

Here's Petrucci's profile, as filled out by the candidate:

Age (as of Election Day)

48

Party Affiliation

Republican

Family

Karen Petrucci, RN 46 - regional director of nursing for Spring Hills communities.
Anthony Petrucci 22 - Bucks County community college and champions school of barbering
Angela Petrucci 20 - Junior at West Chester university studying early education

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

Council Rock
Bucks County Community College
Temple Law Enforcement Academy

Occupation

Small business owner - 18 years
Law Enforcement - 7 years
District Judge - 6 years

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Magisterial District Judge

Campaign website

JudgePetrucci.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

To continue to serve the community and help better the judiciary.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

I am proud that my court has a reputation for fairness and has been recognized by the state for excellence in management. These two things mean there are really no “issues” facing the court itself. What I believe is the biggest issue from my time on the bench is the continued opioid epidemic across Pennsylvania. While I hear cases that pull at my heartstrings every day, it has become far too common to see good people who have been trapped by addiction heading down the wrong path. We must do all we can – as a community – to help address this problem. For my part, I will continue to come down from the bench and work with civic groups, schools, and law enforcement to educate the public, especially our children, on the dangers of opioids.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

In a lot of ways, my opponent and I are similar. We are both business people (I grew a small business into a multi-state franchise before entering public service). We are both husbands and fathers. We both give time to our community. Where I believe we differ are in a few key areas. First is experience. I have served the public as their Judge for the past six years – presiding thousands of trials and handling tens of thousand of cases. I have taken extensive additional judiciary education courses to ensure I am the most well-rounded jurist I can be. Second is our support from the law enforcement community. I am endorsed by our police (F.O.P. Lodge 53) and Bucks County’s Sheriff (who crossed the partisan divide to support me.) The final way is independence. Judges are supposed to be free from politics and political influence and if you look at my record and my campaign, I am. My opponent, unfortunately, has campaigned as a partisan, which is the exact opposite of what a Judge must be.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

N/A

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Experience and qualifications. Community first. Freedom from politics and partisanship. Quite simply, I am the only candidate with proven judicial and law enforcement experience. I am the candidate with the most – and longest – service to charities, civic groups, schools and other organizations in our community. And, as it should be for anyone seeking to be a Judge, I have refused to serve or run as a partisan because justice is blind to such things.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I believe that my record is all the evidence needed: presiding over 5,000+ fair hearings; handling 20,000+ docketed cases; being recognized by the state for excellence in court management; and, coming down from the bench to work in our schools, with charities and civic groups, and with residents. I think my greatest single accomplishment however is restarting the important “Youth Aid Panel” that helps provide non-violent, first-time, youthful offenders an opportunity to get back on the right path through alternative sentencing, public service and more. Knowing the difference between kids who make a mistake (and giving them a second chance at success) and real criminals is something of which I am extremely proud.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Treat every person with respect and dignity because you do not know what they are going through in life. While taught to me as a young man, this advice applies 100-fold to being a judge.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

While I have decades of community service accomplishment the things that I am most proud about would be my commitment to serving and helping those less fortunate and in need… As the former president of the Newtown business Association and current board member of the Newtown Rotary club, I serve my community with pride, honor, integrity and most of all… Service above self !!!

My position as a judge…politics have never and will never enter the court room as long as I serve our community… Being a judge is all about the independency of the judiciary and I wholeheartedly believe in doing what’s right for people, all people.