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MDJ candidate list grows following state opinion

By Patty Yauger pyauger@heraldstandard.Com 4 min read

The slate of candidates seeking a magisterial district judge position has grown following a decision by the state director of judicial programs.

Current Magisterial District Judge Jesse J. Cramer will be challenged in his re-election bid by Dunbar residents Soni Shaner Mancuso, Richard A. Kasunic II, Kenneth Jaynes and George Stash II.

According to the Fayette County Election Bureau, only Shaner Mancuso and Kasunic have filed their petitions. Jaynes and Stash have confirmed their intention to also seek the position.

The ballot change resulted after the state Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that Cramer’s magisterial district would be consolidated with the neighboring district of retiring Magisterial District Judge Dwight Shaner.

Initially, the election bureau indicated that candidates seeking Shaner’s seat would not appear on the ballot. However, the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts, Director of Judicial Programs Joseph Mittleman, advised the local bureau that those candidates can appear on the ballot, and if elected in the general election, will serve as magisterial district judge of the newly consolidated district.

The issue of consolidation arose following the 2010 Census, as the state sought to reduce the number of magisterial districts. Because Shaner was reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70, the county proposed combining the two districts. The county’s most recent plan was submitted to the state in January 2012.

Sheryl Heid, election bureau solicitor, said Thursday that Mittleman’s opinion will stand and no action by the county election board or by Fayette County President Judge John F. Wagner is needed at the present time.

“The (state Supreme Court) order was a little cryptic and the (county) election bureau was not involved in any of the petitions, so we didn’t have any of the background information,” said Heid of the initial confusion. “Later (Wednesday) the state provided additional information that helped us better understand the issue and move forward.”

However, if any of the candidate’s petitions are challenged, the election board and Wagner would be called upon to rule in that matter, said Heid.

The petitions must be filed with the election bureau by Tuesday.

Al Ambrosini, Fayette County commission chairman and election board member, said Thursday that the board would take a “common sense approach” to the issue and consider all candidates as seeking the magisterial district judge position in the new consolidated district.

“We want to make sure we give anyone interested in running the opportunity to do so,” he said.

Cramer said that the decision will require his campaign strategy to change because of the new candidates now in the race.

“I was called by the county court administrator yesterday (Wednesday) to advise me of the opinion,” he said. “I’m still trying to confirm it, but it looks as if I’m going to have to change gears.”

Cramer is seeking a sixth term as a magisterial district judge.

“I had planned to do what I’ve done every six years,” he said. “Now, I’m going to have to get out there and become familiar with a whole new area.”

Cramer said that he was prepared to file his completed petitions on Monday with the election bureau, but may spend the weekend in Shaner’s district to introduce himself to the electorate and add to the number of petition signatures.

“I know a lot of people, but I’m now going to have to get out and introduce myself to others.”

Shaner Mancuso said that she was pleased with the opinion and looks forward to the campaign that will now encompass eight boroughs and seven townships.

“I’m glad to be an official candidate in this race,” she said. “I look forward to meeting the residents in the new district.”

Kasunic could not be reached for comment Thursday.

Stash said that the inclusion of the other municipalities will present a challenge to all the candidates.

“I’m looking forward to it,” he said, adding that he will file his petitions before the Tuesday deadline. “It should be a good campaign.”

Jaynes, meanwhile, said that he will proceed with filing his petitions next week.

“When I initially heard the rumor that there would be no race in Judge Shaner’s district I backed off, but now it is time to move forward,” he said. “I’m ready to get out and start campaigning.”

The consolidated district will include Belle Vernon, Dawson, Dunbar, Everson, Fayette City, Newell, Perryopolis and Vanderbilt boroughs and Dunbar, Franklin, Jefferson, Lower Tyrone, Perry, Upper Tyrone and Washington townships.

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