2015 PA Primary Commonwealth Court Democratic Candidates
In this race you will choose one of the following candidates to vote for. Clicking on their name will bring you to their campaign website. You will see letter in parentheses after each person's name-these relate to the PA bar's recommendation as to how qualified they are for the position:
(R) = Recommended
(HR) = Highly Recommended
Todd Eagen (R)
Lawyer
Age: 48
“Integrity, Hard Work, Family”
Education:
Point Park U, BA
Dickinson School of Law, JD
Experience:
-Law clerk for federal judge
-18 years as a lawyer (a union lawyer)
-Has handled cases all over the commonwealth
Issues:
-Believes Article 1 Section 27 affirmatively creates "an obligation on the government’s behalf to refrain from unduly infringing upon or violating the (environmental) right(s) including by legislative enactment or executive action."
-Believes the plain language of a law should be the way it is interpreted as long as the language is clear, to ensure the intention of the drafters is not denied.
Personal:
-Is the grandson of a former PA supreme court justice
-Was one of six siblings
-In HS was co-captain of the cross country team, ran track and played on the tennis team.
-In college served as parliamentarian, student defender, and chairman of the rules committee for the student gov’t. Was also on the college’s publication board.
-Was on the dean’s list in law school
-Married, 2 kids
-Active in his daughters’ ballet activities
Community Involvement:
-Board of directors, young lawyers division of Lackawanna Co Bar Assoc.
-Was vice president of parish council
-Volunteer instructor for middle grades program at junior achievement of NE PA
-Volunteer for other community events
Michael Wojcik (R)
Lawyer
Age: 51
Education:
Juniata college
Pitt law school, cum laude
Experience:
-Member U of Pittsburgh Law Review
-3 years Allegheny County Controller
-3 years Allegheny County Airport Authority
-8 years Allegheny County Solicitor
Issues:
-Would not answer one of the league of women voters questions due to the fact that doing so violates the ethics code.
-Did answer that he believes the plain meaning of a law should be how it is interpreted unless applying it in that manner would be cruel or absurd
-Led reforms that guaranteed ballot access to handicapped people
-Defended laws that increased funding for public transit
-Protected the voting rights of minorities and college students (doesn’t say how exactly)
Personal:
-Son of a coal miner
-In HS was an honor student, football player, and thespian
-Started a men’s volleyball team in college
-Married, 2 kids
-Church member
-Rises early to take kids to rowing practices and competitions
Community Involvement:
-Does pro bono work for women petitioning for protection from abuse orders
-Volunteers with youth programs coaching sports
-Scout leader and director of boy scouts laurel highlands council
(R) = Recommended
(HR) = Highly Recommended
Todd Eagen (R)
Lawyer
Age: 48
“Integrity, Hard Work, Family”
Education:
Point Park U, BA
Dickinson School of Law, JD
Experience:
-Law clerk for federal judge
-18 years as a lawyer (a union lawyer)
-Has handled cases all over the commonwealth
Issues:
-Believes Article 1 Section 27 affirmatively creates "an obligation on the government’s behalf to refrain from unduly infringing upon or violating the (environmental) right(s) including by legislative enactment or executive action."
-Believes the plain language of a law should be the way it is interpreted as long as the language is clear, to ensure the intention of the drafters is not denied.
Personal:
-Is the grandson of a former PA supreme court justice
-Was one of six siblings
-In HS was co-captain of the cross country team, ran track and played on the tennis team.
-In college served as parliamentarian, student defender, and chairman of the rules committee for the student gov’t. Was also on the college’s publication board.
-Was on the dean’s list in law school
-Married, 2 kids
-Active in his daughters’ ballet activities
Community Involvement:
-Board of directors, young lawyers division of Lackawanna Co Bar Assoc.
-Was vice president of parish council
-Volunteer instructor for middle grades program at junior achievement of NE PA
-Volunteer for other community events
Michael Wojcik (R)
Lawyer
Age: 51
Education:
Juniata college
Pitt law school, cum laude
Experience:
-Member U of Pittsburgh Law Review
-3 years Allegheny County Controller
-3 years Allegheny County Airport Authority
-8 years Allegheny County Solicitor
Issues:
-Would not answer one of the league of women voters questions due to the fact that doing so violates the ethics code.
-Did answer that he believes the plain meaning of a law should be how it is interpreted unless applying it in that manner would be cruel or absurd
-Led reforms that guaranteed ballot access to handicapped people
-Defended laws that increased funding for public transit
-Protected the voting rights of minorities and college students (doesn’t say how exactly)
Personal:
-Son of a coal miner
-In HS was an honor student, football player, and thespian
-Started a men’s volleyball team in college
-Married, 2 kids
-Church member
-Rises early to take kids to rowing practices and competitions
Community Involvement:
-Does pro bono work for women petitioning for protection from abuse orders
-Volunteers with youth programs coaching sports
-Scout leader and director of boy scouts laurel highlands council
