SAXONBURG — For the first time in nearly two decades, there is a race for district judge.

Challenger Michael Sippey, 61, of Middlesex Township is challenging longtime incumbent Judge Sue Haggerty.

Both candidates are cross-filed, seeking both the Republican and Democratic nominations.

The district covers Saxonburg and six townships: Buffalo, Clinton, Jefferson, Middlesex, Penn and Winfield.

Sippey is the assistant police chief for Duquesne University in Pittsburgh and is a former Pittsburgh police lieutenant in charge of major crimes where he supervised 80 detectives.

He wants to use his police and legal experience presiding over district court.

“I understand what is serious and what is a nuisance,” he said.

He also has hands-on experience. “I worked narcotics for years,” Sippey said.

Haggerty, 64, of Saxonburg, who announced her candidacy earlier in the year, cited her lengthy tenure as making her the most qualified.

“Proven experience,” she said.

Since Haggerty took office in 1998, she has handled roughly 73,000 cases.

“People have known me,” she said. “They know my work ethic.”

Sippey obtained a law degree while working as a police officer.

He was an attorney for a Pittsburgh law firm, which later dissolved when the partners died within a year of each other.

Sippey said at that point, he decided to focus on police work. He still practices law, periodically handling estates.

If elected, Sippey would check into moving district court back into the borough building on Main Street.

He said the current courtroom in the Dinnerbell Square building farther up the road is too small. Security is another issue.

Sippey said it would be better for the court to be in proximity to borough police, who operate from the borough building.

“It just makes sense,” said.

Haggerty said it's a moot point because state Supreme Court guidelines prohibit district court from being in the same building as police.

Sippey said an office move is not necessarily ruled out.

“That's something I would like to explore,” he said.

The county's lease for space in Dinnerbell Square runs through 2027.

Sippey said he would institute evening hours.

Haggerty said under the current agreement with the building owner, there are no evening hours available and no demand for it.

“We haven't had people asking,” she said.

Sippey said he knows it is an uphill battle trying to unseat a longtime incumbent.

“It has been a challenge,” he said.

However, Sippey said he is not accepting donations.

“I'm running a grassroots campaign,” he said.

Sippey said he chose to run now because it was the right time.

“This was an excellent time in my life,” he said.

Sippey said he would quit his university job, which he has held for the past 14 years, if elected judge.

He said another factor was hearing a rumor that Haggerty would retire before the next term ended.

“I heard she was going to retire,” Sippey said.

Haggerty refutes there is any validity to that rumor.

“I am running,” she said. “I may run again. I have no intention of retiring.”

Sippey has a bachelor's degree in administration of justice from the University of Pittsburgh and a degree from the Duquesne University law school.

He teaches criminal law, constitutional law, and search and seizure courses at the Pittsburgh Police Training Academy.

Sippey lives in the township with his wife, Nancy. They have eight grown children.

His community work includes being active with Holy Sepulcher Church, where he previously served as a parish council member.

Sippey also belongs to the Royal Grange community service group in Middlesex, which contributes money to such causes as the Glade Run Lake Conservancy and Middlesex Volunteer Fire Company. The group also awards scholarships to students.