The Pa. Superior Court hears high-level criminal appeals and family court cases involving private entities. Since 2023, this 15-member intermediate court has been split 8-6 between Democrats and Republicans, with one vacancy created when Democrat Daniel McCaffery was elected to the Pa. Supreme Court. Justices serve 10-year terms and must retire at 75. Democratic Washington County judge Brandon Neuman, Republican legal consultant Maria Battista, and Liberal Party attorney and professor Daniel Wassmer are vying for McCaffery’s former spot on the bench. Superior Court Judge Alice Dubow, a Democrat, is also up for retention.
| Brandon Neuman | Maria Battista | Daniel Wassmer | |
| Bio: | Washington County native. U of Richmond undergrad and Duquesne J.D. Former trial lawyer. Pa. Rep. (2011-2017) with service on justice committees and chair of the Offense-Related Guidelines Review Subcommittee. Washington Co. common pleas judge (2018-pres.). | Clarion County native. Clarion B.S. and Pitt Ed.D. Former ass’t DA, contract specialist with the U.S. Dept. of Defense, ass’t general counsel for Pa. Dept. of Health under Gov. Tom Corbett (R) and Dept. of State under Gov. Tom Wolf (D). Failed candidate for the Superior Court in 2023. Beat Pa. GOP-endorsed candidate Ann Marie Wheatcraft in 2025 primary. Educator and legal consultant. | Pike County Resident. Adelphi U undergrad and New York Law School J.D. Practicing attorney for over 25 years with banking, development, and ass’t county solicitor experience in N.Y. and Pa. Part-time faculty at Bucks County Community College. |
| Philosophy: | Calls this “a generational election.” Cites experience in criminal, family, and civil courtrooms. Touts broad base of support from labor groups and law enforcement. Says he wants to “rebuild trust” and improve court integrity. | Says Superior Court “impact[s] you every single day” through civil and criminal appeals and family court issues. Cites experience as prosecutor and says she will “apply laws as intended.” Campaign slogan on mailers: “Equal Justice Under The Law: Every Person Counts!” | Says judicial independence is “paramount” while opposing special interests. Describes self as “only truly ‘independent’ candidate” in race. |
| Crime and gun control: | Authored legislation to clear rape kit backlog. Has presided over criminal and family law. Received three law-enforcement endorsements. | Has said “right to keep and bear arms is a fundamental right” per existing legal precedent. Served on Safe & Effective Prescribing Practices opioid-use task force. | Says he is “pro Second Amendment.” In 2022, said he supports ending qualified immunity to combat police corruption. |
| Ethics and independence: | Issued decision requiring Washington Co. to notify voters of errors on mail-in-ballots for correction. Said he will avoid “preconceived opinions” and has reputation as “fair and impartial.” | Wants to restore trust she says was lost due to “Kids for Cash” scandal in 2000s and social media. Has said she would “keep politics out of the courtroom” and strive for impartiality. | Opposes “ideologues” and “‘losers’ [who] disparage [election] results.” Says major parties create “a variety” of problems. Describes self as pro-choice and supporter of LGBTQ rights. |
| Endorsements: | Pa. Democrats, ACDC, Steel City Stonewall Democrats, elected officials including Pa. House Speaker Joanna McClinton and Pa. Sen Jay Costa, unions including Pa. AFL-CIO, FOP Pa. State Lodge, IBEW locals, Pa. State Troopers Assoc., Pa. Sheriff’s Assoc., PSEA, Steamfitters. “Highly Recommended” by Pa. Bar Assoc. | Pa. GOP, Pa. Sheriff’s Assoc. Action PAC, Firearms Owners Against Crime, Gun Owners of America Pa., Conservative Latinos Pa. “Not Recommended” by Pa. Bar Assoc. for failure to participate in questionnaire. | None listed |
This article appears in Election Guide Oct. 8-14, 2025.
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