Tsai: judicial independence<\/p>\n
Court of Common Pleas Judge Stella Tsai ran uncontested in the Democratic primary. Tsai is currently a judge on the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas where she was appointed to in 2016 and then elected in 2017. She has presided across the Criminal, Civil, Orphans\u2019 Court and Family Divisions. Her campaign emphasizes<\/a> her breadth of experience handling trials involving land use, trusts, wills, custody disputes and general commercial litigation.<\/p>\n She says that experience<\/a> \u201chas equipped me with the skills and insights necessary to address the often complex social, economic and governmental issues facing our Commonwealth.\u201d<\/p>\n Born in Harrisburg to immigrant parents, Tsai grew up in central Pennsylvania and earned her bachelor\u2019s degree in political science from Penn State University in 1985 and her Juris Doctor from the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, where she currently teaches<\/a>. Prior to joining the bench, she was a business litigation partner at Archer & Greiner, focusing on regulatory compliance, land use and legal ethics. She also served as the chair of administrative law in the Philadelphia Law Department from 2000 to 2003.<\/p>\n The Pennsylvania Bar Association rated Tsai as \u201cHighly Recommended<\/a>,\u201d citing her long and diverse legal career, extensive trial experience in both state and federal courts, similar respect among peers and clear, thoughtful legal writing as well as her \u201chistory of civic and pro bono activities.\u201d Tsai previously won the Philadelphia Bar Association\u2019s Sandra Day O\u2019Connor award.<\/p>\n Tsai has served nearly a decade as a judge on the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, hearing civil, family and orphans court cases. In her race, she emphasizes \u201cintegrity, transparency, consistency<\/a>\u201d in court and providing access to justice.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m the only sitting judge in this race,\u201d Tsai said in a recent interview with PCNTV<\/a>. \u201cAnd I understand the challenges facing individuals and working families. It\u2019s been my life\u2019s work to ensure that our legal system is fair, just and accessible.\u201d<\/p>\n Tsai\u2019s judicial philosophy centers on judicial independence, ensuring the courts are nonpartisan and also free from influence from interested parties.<\/p>\n \u201cOnce you get elected, that\u2019s it, we are no longer Democrats, Republicans or whatever,\u201d she said in an interview. \u201cBeing a judge, you have to recognize that people may be upset with you, but you have to do the right thing.\u201d<\/p>\n Tsai previously served as counsel to Philadelphia\u2019s Civil Service Commission, helped rewrite the city\u2019s zoning code and now teaches a litigation remedies course at the University of Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n She also brings a personal story rooted in democratic ideals.<\/p>\n \u201cMy parents grew up in Taiwan under martial law,\u201d she said. \u201cI\u2019ve known from childhood how critical and important our democracy is and to make sure that it functions appropriately. And that\u2019s why to me, the thing about judicial independence resonates with me.\u201d<\/p>\n Tsai\u2019s endorsements include a host of labor groups<\/a>, as well as the Pennsylvania State Education Association<\/a>, Conservation Voters of PA<\/a> and Planned Parenthood<\/a>.<\/p>\n The winner will begin serving a 10\u2011year term in January 2026. As is typical in Pennsylvania, after their initial term, the judge would face a nonpartisan retention vote for a second term.<\/p>\n