By SARA FURLONG

s.furlong@bradfordera.com

Two statewide judicial races will appear on the ballot Tuesday, primary election day in Pennsylvania.

According to pennlive. com, three candidates are vying for one seat each, on both the Pennsylvania Commonwealth and Superior courts. Both are 10-year terms with a salary of $247,188.

JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT The Superior Court, which comprises 15 judges, is one of two statewide intermediate appellate courts. Established in 1895, it reviews most civil and criminal cases appealed from the Courts of Common Pleas in the commonwealth’s 67 counties. It is often the final authority on legal disputes.

Brandon Neuman, a judge of the Court of Common Pleas in Washington County, is the lone Democrat in the race.

He is a former trial lawyer and member of the state House of Representatives. Now in his eighth year as judge, presiding over civil, criminal and veterans court, Neuman studied at the University of Richmond and Duquesne University Kline School of Law.

Maria Battista and Chester County Judge Ann Marie Wheatcraft are both running on the Republican ballot. Battista, of Clarion County, is an attorney and executive with more than 15 years’ experience in civil, criminal and administrative law. She is a former assistant district attorney and also served with Gov. Tom Corbett’s administration.

She holds two undergraduate degrees from Clarion University, a master’s degree from Westminster College, juris doctor from Ohio Northern and a doctorate in education from Pitt.

Wheatcraft is currently president judge of the Chester County Court of Common Pleas.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology (business minor) from Penn State and completed her juris doctor at the University of New Hampshire School of Law. She had been a prosecutor for 11 years prior to becoming a Chester County judge in 2011, where she has presided over civil, family, criminal and treatment courts.

JUDGE OF THE COMMONWEALTH COURT The Commonwealth Court is the state’s other intermediate appellate court, primarily handling civil cases involving state and local governments and regulatory agencies. Established in 1968, the court comprises nine judges and acts as a trial court when lawsuits are filed by or against Pennsylvania.

Attorneys Matt Wolford of Erie County and Josh Prince of Berks County are both running on the Republican ballot.

Wolford has 38 years of government and private sector experience, including Commonwealth Court hearings and appeals. He studied at Penn State before completing his juris doctor at Temple University School of Law.

Prince said he has successfully litigated several appeals, including before the state Supreme Court, as well as the Commonwealth Court. Prince attended McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, majoring in political science and world religion, and graduating with honors. He attended Widener Law School, from which he also graduated with honors.

Retention votes for 10-year members of the state judiciary will appear on the ballot this fall, during Pennsylvania’s general election.

For more nonpartisan information on appellate court candidates, view the PA Bar Association’s ratings and questionnaires at pabar.org.