3 candidates vie for SR district judge
Two lawyers and a lifelong resident are vying for the district judge's seat in the Slippery Rock area.
The position of magisterial judge for District 50-3-01 is open with the departure of Judge William O'Donnell.Attorney Russ Karl of Slippery Rock, attorney Joe Nash of Mercer Township and resident Jeff Steele will appear on the May 18 ballot for this year's primary election. All three candidates have cross-filed.In Pennsylvania, it is customary for judicial candidates to cross-file. If one candidate wins both the Republican and Democratic primaries, they run unopposed in the general election. If split, then one would be the Republican nominee and the other the Democratic nominee.All judicial candidates must live within the boundaries of their district, and of the three candidates, none have done so longer than Steele, whose great-great-grandfather established a farm in the Slippery Rock area.
He said since then, he has grown 5 familiar with the community where he and his family have been public servants for many years. Steele specifically has served stints on the borough's planning commission, civil service committee, and parks and recreation committee.
Steele also is active in local youth sports and helped develop the basketball program.“This election has no bearing on the work I do with this community,” he said. “I feel some ownership and pride.”Karl practiced law in the county for 20 years before retiring from the Butler County District Attorney's office last year.Despite his retirement, he kept up with responsibilities as president of Slippery Rock Borough Council, a role he plans to relinquish at the end of his term this year.Karl describes his work on borough council as “bipartisan.”“We work with both parties to do what's best for the borough itself,” he said.Nash moved to the area in 2007. He said he and his wife felt at home immediately, which helped them get involved quickly. He began his law practice, which has sent him into every major area of the courts, including criminal, civil, traffic and landlord-tenant.Nash said over the years, he has established great relationships with the staff at the Slippery Rock courthouse.“I'm familiar with all the staff,” he said. “I'm on a first-name basis with them.”
Nash said what sets him apart from his competitors is his activity in the field.
“I'm the only candidate for this position that's practicing law right now,” Nash said. “I think I have a good disposition for this. I can give some grace to people and dole out consequences if that's needed.”For Steele, he said his deep ties set him apart. He said he may not be an attorney, but his greater perspective on the community and the families within it would be a great benefit to the local court.“My people know what they're getting from me,” Steele said. “They're going to get a fair and brutally honest person. I think the majority of people are going to vote for me because they like that about me.”And Karl said his years of practice in negotiating with both sides and finding common ground will be one of the greatest assets he brings to the table.“Since I understand both sides, it's easier to maintain that all parties are treated with respect, treated fairly and the process is balanced,” Karl said. “I can represent all sides of the case.”Despite their differences, all three candidates voiced one common goal: to approach the bench by making sure the people who appear before it still have respect and their right to a fair hearing.
