Jeff Woodard

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Jeff Woodard

Democratic Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

May 20, 2025

Education

Associate

Westmoreland County Community College, 1994

Bachelor's

Carlow University, 1997

Graduate

Point Park University, 1999

Personal

Birthplace

Erie, Pa.

Religion

Baptist, AME

Profession

Executive director

Contact

Campaign website

Personal Facebook

Personal LinkedIn

Jeff Woodard (Democratic Party) ran for election for the District Court 05-2-28 judge of the Allegheny County Magisterial District Court in Pennsylvania. He lost in the Democratic primary on May 20, 2025.

Biography

Jeff Woodard was born in Erie, Pennsylvania. He earned an associate degree from Westmoreland County Community College in 1994, a bachelor's degree from Carlow University in 1997, and an M.S. and M.B.A. from Point Park University in 1999. Woodard's career experience includes working as the executive director of PA College Access Program and as a law firm administrator. He's been associated with the National Democratic Party and the DCCC.

Elections

2025

See also: City elections in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (2025)

General election

General election for Allegheny County Magisterial District Court 05-2-28

Incumbent Oscar J. Petite Jr. is running in the general election for Allegheny County Magisterial District Court 05-2-28 on November 4, 2025.

		Candidate
	Submit photo	Oscar J. Petite Jr. (D / R)

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Allegheny County Magisterial District Court 05-2-28

Incumbent Oscar J. Petite Jr. defeated Jeff Woodard in the Democratic primary for Allegheny County Magisterial District Court 05-2-28 on May 20, 2025.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Oscar J. Petite Jr.	77.9	2,225
		Jeff Woodard	22.1	631

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 2,856
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Allegheny County Magisterial District Court 05-2-28

Incumbent Oscar J. Petite Jr. advanced from the Republican primary for Allegheny County Magisterial District Court 05-2-28 on May 20, 2025.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Oscar J. Petite Jr.	98.3	115
		Other/Write-in votes	1.7	2

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 117
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

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2022

See also: Pennsylvania's 12th Congressional District election, 2022

General election

General election for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 12

Summer Lee defeated Michael Doyle in the general election for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 12 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Summer Lee (D)	56.2	184,674
		Michael Doyle (R)	43.8	143,946

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 328,620
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Donald Nevills (R)
• Stephanie Fox (D)
• Jake Webster (D)
• Bhavini Patel (D)

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 12

Summer Lee defeated Steve Irwin, Jerry Dickinson, Jeff Woodard, and William Parker in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 12 on May 17, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Summer Lee	41.9	48,002
		Steve Irwin	41.0	47,014
		Jerry Dickinson	10.9	12,440
		Jeff Woodard	4.8	5,454
		William Parker	1.5	1,670

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 114,580
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 12

Michael Doyle advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 12 on May 17, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Michael Doyle	100.0	39,531

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 39,531
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2015

See also: Pennsylvania judicial elections, 2015

Pennsylvania's judicial elections included a primary on May 19, 2015, and a general election on November 3, 2015. The filing deadline for candidates was March 11, 2015.

Roxanne Sakoian Eichler faced Rodger Blissman, Jeff Woodard and Jeff Filia in the Democratic primary.

Allegheny County Magisterial District, 05-02-11, Democratic Primary, 2015
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Roxanne Sakoian Eichler	49.6%	1,016
Jeff Filia	33.4%	685
Rodger Blissman	7.7%	157
Jeff Woodard	4.9%	100
Write-in votes	4.39%	90
Total Votes		2,048
Source: Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, "2015 Democratic Primary Official Results," June 8, 2015

Roxanne Sakoian Eichler faced Rodger Blissman, Jeff Woodard and Jeff Filia in the Republican primary.

Allegheny County Magisterial District, 05-02-11, Republican Primary, 2015
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Roxanne Sakoian Eichler	55.9%	319
Jeff Filia	24.5%	140
Rodger Blissman	9.3%	53
Jeff Woodard	4.9%	28
Write-in votes	5.43%	31
Total Votes		571
Source: Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, "2015 Republican Primary Official Results," June 8, 2015

Campaign themes

2025

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Jeff Woodard did not complete Ballotpedia's 2025 Candidate Connection survey.

2022

Video for Ballotpedia

Video submitted to Ballotpedia Released March 23, 2022

Jeff Woodard completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Woodard's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I'm running for the United States Congress in the 12th Congressional District as a democrat. As a lifelong Democrat, I've worked on many successful campaigns. My political career began at age seventeen when I concurrently ran for the City of Erie School Board and for a position as a Committeeman for Erie County.

I have earned 2 undergraduate degrees and two master’s degrees. During this time, I was elected as a committeeman for the 4th Ward and elected as a State Constable. Being active in the democratic party has been a way of life for me as a campaign staffer and a campaign manager.

As Founder and Executive Director of PA College Access Program, I've helped over 18,000 people get into college. Under my leadership, the PA-CAP has also assisted veterans and homeless citizens improve their lives, living conditions, and rejoining society.  With my current position as an administrator of a law firm, I've worked with individuals to receive expungements and pardons to allow them a new start in life.   Yes, my friends, I have deep roots in the Pittsburgh community that I call home.  Being a strong advocate of the LGBTQ+ community, I also support a strong union labor force.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• The economy and jobs are important to the congressional district.
• I strongly believe in economic equality and being a chmpion for higher minimum wages.
• I will advocate for Education, Veterans, LGBTQ+ Equality and Equal Pay

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Economy, jobs, education, health care, immigration, LGBTQ+ Equality, Veterans, Strong Unions, and Equal Pay, and Cannabis Legislation

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I look up to President Joe Biden. He ran for President in 1987 and continued to support others and work hard until he achieved his goal.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Political Philosophy: What It Is and Why It Matters

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

To listen to their constituents and convey their perspectives to the members of congress and leadership.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I work hard at, and enjoy, helping other people.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

law-making, representing, and helping constituents.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I enjoy helping people, as many as I can and as long as I could,

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The fall of the Berlin Wall and The First Black President of the United States.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Furniture store delivery guy.

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Audacity Of Hope by Barack Obama

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Don't Stop -Fleetwood Mac

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

To be in a position of power and authority to help people when they need it.

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

many voices that are all seeking what's best for the country from the perspectives of the constituents.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

No. I believe it's beneficial for representatives to represent their constituents and to benefit the country as a whole. You need to listen to your constituents and guide the country.

What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

Come together as a nation to address our problems with the strength of being UNITED!

If you are not a current representative, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

I would defer to the party leadership to committee assignments on what they feel I would be a benefit from. My goal is to help the country move forward.

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

I feel that it should be situated for the efficiency and effectiveness of a two year to a four-year term.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

People should only be in office as long as they can serve and help the constituents.

Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Congressman Mike Doyle and former Congressman Elijah Cummings

Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

The challenges the public faced during the pandemic and how the government could be a safety net for those caught in the crisis.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Other points of view and perspectives may have merit and may benefit the country as a whole.

The Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected?

I would work with my members of congress to be Tfinancially responsible while meeting the needs of the country.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

See also

2025 Elections

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Government

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Candidate

Allegheny County Magisterial District Court 05-2-28

Website

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Footnotes

Pennsylvania courts

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Federal courts:

Third Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Middle District of Pennsylvania, Western District of Pennsylvania • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Middle District of Pennsylvania, Western District of Pennsylvania

State courts:

Supreme Court of Pennsylvania • Pennsylvania Superior Court • Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court • Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas • Pennsylvania Magisterial Districts

State resources:

Courts in Pennsylvania • Pennsylvania judicial elections • Judicial selection in Pennsylvania