Editor’s Note: This article was updated Oct. 15, 2025 to include responses submitted by Jason Bowen.
Berks County voters in two municipalities will choose a new district judge.
Only one of the two district judge seats up for election this year is contested in the Nov. 4 general election.
Berks County Assistant District Attorney Colleen Dugan Schearer and Muhlenberg Township police officer Jason Bowen are running to replace retiring District Judge Dean Patton to serve Laureldale and Muhlenberg Township.
Unlike state and county judges, district judges do not have to be attorneys, but those who are not must take a state certification test before taking office. Attorneys are exempt from the test.
District judges currently receive an annual salary of $113,713.
Voters will select one candidate to serve a six-year term.
We asked the candidates to respond to one question.
Question: What would be your top three priorities if elected?
Colleen Dugan Schearer
Colleen Dugan Schearer
Party: Democrat.
Age: 51.
Background: Schearer is a supervising assistant district attorney in the Berks County District Attorney’s Office. She earned a degree in political science and economics from Albright College before earning her law degree from Penn State Dickinson Law.
Website: facebook.com/ColleenForMDJ
Response: This is one of the busiest, highest volume courts in Berks County. Since February, the office has been staffed by visiting senior judges a few days a week. If elected, I will bring immediate continuity to the court, and I will work diligently to resolve any existing backlog of cases. As a supervisor working in some of the busiest courtrooms in the court of common pleas, I have a proven track record of moving cases fairly and efficiently.
Secondly, I will create an organized, professional system for scheduling civil, criminal and traffic hearings. I believe that cases should not be unnecessarily delayed, and outcomes should be swift and fair.
Lastly, I will create a community bulletin board with contact information for citizens to find information on the various programs and services that Berks County has to offer. This will include contact information and literature describing programs and directing folks to where they can get the help they need. And of course, I will maintain a friendly office atmosphere where individuals feel safe, heard and respected.
Jason Bowen
Jason Bowen
Party: Republican.
Age: 52.
Background: Bowen is a patrol sergeant with the Muhlenberg Township Police Department, where he has been a member of the force for 26 years. He also served in the Navy.
Website: bowenformdj.com
Response: Transitioning from anything sometimes can be a challenge. As a police officer I am used to challenges, I’m not afraid of rolling up my sleeves and getting to work. Police officers are multitaskers that don’t work in safe static environments. With my abilities as a leader these are my top three priorities for my district court:
The top priority will be to the taxpayers to efficiently run the office. I will prioritize the cases that need to be heard first and streamline the process. Everyone gets due process and will be treated with dignity and respect.
Secondly, I will communicate directly with the staff to ensure that policies and procedures are maintained to ensure that the cases are being heard in a timely fashion. It’s extremely important to have a good working relationship with your employees.
Thirdly I will always be available as your district judge, I won’t forget where I came from and that I work for the people of Muhlenberg Township and Laureldale Borough. Being a district judge is more than just a job, it’s an opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives. I will not take this privilege lightly and I will always ensure justice is served fairly and impartially to everyone.
Originally Published: October 13, 2025 at 9:00 AM EDT