Dominic A. Cercone Jr. of Bradford, who has served as Bradford City’s magisterial district judge for nearly 12 years, will be seeking both the Republican and Democratic nomination in the May 16 primary election in his bid for re-election.

During his nearly 12 years as district judge, he and his office staff have handled more than 22,000 cases. Additionally, he has officiated more than 100 weddings.

Cercone has worked full-time in the office, making himself easily accessible to city residents as well as law enforcement officials.  

“I have enjoyed serving the residents of the City of Bradford,” said Cercone, who is a registered Republican, “and I would be honored to continue to do so.”

“I was born in Bradford, and I raised my family here. I care about this community and the people who live here. I would like to continue to do what I can to make Bradford a better place.”

Cercone received magisterial district judge certification from the Pennsylvania Minor Judiciary Education Board in July 2005 in Chambersburg. Since then, he has received annual updates in criminal and civil law and in the additional responsibilities required of district judges.

Prior to his being elected district judge, Cercone was a police officer in the City of Bradford for 23 years. While with the department, he helped to investigate and solve a variety of crimes, from homicides, assaults and burglaries to domestic violence incidents, thefts and drug-related offenses.

During his last eight years with the department, he served as the city’s juvenile officer, working closely with and serving as a resource for administrators, teachers, and students and their parents in the Bradford Area School District. He also was a DARE instructor, teaching hundreds of kindergartners through fifth-graders in the school district the importance of resisting drugs and violence, protecting themselves from strangers and maintaining a healthy self-esteem.

Cercone is a member of the William F. Hanley Lodge #67 Fraternal Order of Police, St. Bernard Church, the Italian American Progressive Club and the Special Court Judges Association of Pennsylvania. A native of Bradford, he is a 1975 graduate of Bradford Area High School.

Cercone and his wife, Pat, have been married for 28 years and are the parents of four grown sons — David Cercone of Jamestown, N.Y., Jordan and Sam Cercone of Bradford, and Max Cercone of Pittsburgh. They also have two grandchildren.