PA. SUPERIOR COURT Candidate notes good, bad about running for judge

Campaigning gives candidates a chance to learn what affects constituents.
SHARON, Pa. -- A candidate for judge of Pennsylvania's Superior Court said he isn't sure merit selection of judges would create a better court than now provided through the election process.
Pennsylvania now elects all of its judges and Supreme Court justices, and although he acknowledges there are some problems with the system, Judge John Driscoll of Westmoreland County said appointing judges isn't necessarily better. Westmoreland County is southeast of Pittsburgh.
It might be better if the appointment system could be made incorruptible, Driscoll said during a telephone interview from his car as he made a campaign sweep Wednesday through northwestern Pennsylvania.
Driscoll, a common pleas judge for the last eight years, said he has some skepticism that a merit or appointive system would improve the quality of judges.
"Pennsylvania is pretty guarded about appointing people," he said.
The judicial election process, particularly for Superior Court, Pennsylvania's primary appeals court, leaves something to be desired, he said.
His concern
The campaigns aren't funded to the point where people can be familiar with the candidates or even have some knowledge of what the Superior Court does, Driscoll said.
It makes it tough for citizens to cast an informed ballot, he said.
The campaign is particularly difficult on sitting judges who must find the time to tour the state. They often have to rush back to their home county late at night to oversee a trial the next day.
Nevertheless, the election process is a very good experience for candidates to get out to meet a lot of people and get a feel for issues affecting Pennsylvanians' lives, he said.
Driscoll, a Democrat, served 13 years as Westmoreland County district attorney and had a private practice for 12 years before that.
He is seeking one of three Superior Court seats in the Nov. 4 election.