William J. Benz
William J. Benz is a judge for the Bucks County Magisterial District in Pennsylvania.[1]
Biography
Benz earned his undergraduate degree from LaSalle University in 1976 and his J.D. from McGeorge School of Law at the University of the Pacific in 1979. Benz has been involved in private practice since his admission to the bar in 1979, and has also served as Northampton Township Supervisor from 1994 until 1999.[2]
Awards and associations
- Business Person of the Year, 2003
- Chairman, American Red Cross Blood Drive
- Adult Advisor, Boy Scouts of America
- Board of Directors, Lasalle College High School Alumni
- Member, Northampton Township Zoning Hearing Board, 1990-1993
- Past President, Feasterville Business Association, 1991[2]
Elections
2017
Pennsylvania held local judicial elections on November 7, 2017. A primary election occurred on May 16, 2017. The filing deadline for candidates who wished to run in this election was March 7, 2017. Candidates and recently appointed judges of the Courts of Common Pleas must initially run in partisan elections. Subsequent terms are won through retention elections. Elections for the Magisterial District Courts are always partisan. Pennsylvania allows cross-filing for candidates running in partisan elections. Most candidates run in both the Democratic and Republican primaries.[3]
Incumbent William J. Benz (R) defeated Brian Disbrow (D) in the general election for the Bucks County Magisterial District 07-2-01.[4]
| Bucks County Magisterial District 07-2-01, General Election, 2017 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  William J. Benz Incumbent |
55.46% | 7,073 | |
| Democratic | Brian Disbrow | 44.54% | 5,680 | |
| Total Votes | 12,753 | |||
| Source: Bucks County, Pennsylvania, "Bucks County Election Results," accessed November 8, 2017 | ||||
Brian Disbrow defeated incumbent William J. Benz in the Democratic primary for the Bucks County Magisterial District 07-2-01.[5]
| Bucks County Magisterial District 07-2-01, Democratic Primary, 2017 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
| Brian Disbrow |
52.11% | 1,406 |
| William J. Benz Incumbent | 47.89% | 1,292 |
| Total Votes | 2,698 | |
| Source: Bucks County, Pennsylvania, "2017 Official Primary Results," accessed January 9, 2018 | ||
Incumbent William J. Benz defeated Brian Disbrow in the Republican primary for the Bucks County Magisterial District 07-2-01.[6]
| Bucks County Magisterial District 07-2-01, Republican Primary, 2017 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
| William J. Benz Incumbent |
64.44% | 2,102 |
| Brian Disbrow | 35.56% | 1,160 |
| Total Votes | 3,262 | |
| Source: Bucks County, Pennsylvania, "2017 Official Primary Results," accessed January 9, 2018 | ||
2011
- See also: Pennsylvania judicial elections, 2011
Benz won both parties' primaries on May 17. He received 51.1 percent in the Democratic primary and 80.7 percent of the vote in the Republican primary.[7] He cross-filed with the Republican and Democratic parties. He was re-elected on November 8. [8]
Selection method
- See also: Partisan election of judges
Judges of the Pennsylvania Magisterial Districts are selected in partisan elections. They serve six-year terms. After their initial term, magistrates must run for new terms in contested races.[9][10]
Qualifications
A judge must be:
- a local resident for at least one year;[10]
- a state bar member;*
- no younger than 21; and
- no older than 75.
*Magisterial district judges may alternatively pass a training course to sidestep the bar member requirement.[10]
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania, "Magisterial Districts Judges," accessed June 12, 2015
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Benz Law Office, Attorney Profile
- ↑ Pennsylvania Department of State, "2017 Election Calendar," accessed February 23, 2017
- ↑ Bucks County, Pennsylvania, "Bucks County Election Results," accessed November 8, 2017
- ↑ Bucks County, Pennsylvania, "2017 Primary Candidate List," accessed April 11, 2017
- ↑ Bucks County, Pennsylvania, "2017 Primary Candidate List," accessed April 11, 2017
- ↑ Bucks County Board of Elections, "Unofficial Results"
- ↑ Bucks County Board of Elections, "Certified Returns - County Level"
- ↑ Pennsylvania Courts, "How Judges Are Elected," accessed July 22, 2015
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 American Judicature Society, "Methods of Judicial Selection: Pennsylvania; Limited Jurisdiction Courts," archived October 3, 2014
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
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