Twelve candidates competed in a partisan election for three spots on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in 2015. Candidates first ran in the May 19 primary. The top three vote-getters from each party advanced to the November 3 general election. Seven candidates—three from the Republican Party, three from the Democratic Party, and one independent—ran in the general election. The top three vote-getters, Kevin Dougherty (D), David Wecht (D), and Christine Donohue (D), were elected to the three open seats with 18.5%, 18.3%, and 18.2% of the vote respectively. They defeated Anne Covey (R), Judy Olson (R), Mike George (R), and Paul Panepinto (I).
Estimated Total Spending: $12,400,720*
- Estimated spending by David Wecht: $1,991,160
- Estimated spending by Kevin Dougherty: $3,364,200
- Estimated spending by Anne Lazarus: $359,200
- Estimated spending by Anne Covey: $508,540
- Estimated spending by John Foradora: $246,660
- Estimated spending by Mike George: $425,270
- Estimated spending by Judy Olson: $337,980
- Estimated spending by Christine Donohue: $1,263,190
- Estimated spending by Pennsylvanians for Judicial Reform: $2,902,390
- Estimated spending by the Republican State Leadership Committee: $993,940
- Estimated spending by the Pennsylvania Republican Party: $8,190
*Spending figures last updated on March 1, 2016
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October 29 - Newspapers Back
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This ad describes Christine Donohue’s endorsements, as well as the “highest possible rating from the Bar association.”
Sponsor: Christine Donohue
Estimated Spending: $418,640
October 28 - Here They Are
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This ad calls George, Olson, and Covey “maybe the worst team ever to run for supreme court.”
Sponsor: Pennsylvanians for Judicial Reform
Estimated Spending: $1,050,510
October 27 – Attack Ads
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In this ad, Dougherty describes his experience and credentials to refute attack ads.
Sponsor: Kevin Dougherty
Estimated Spending: $771,930
October 27 – Tim Wynn Rev
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Dougherty promises to expand the Veteran’s Court “so that every veteran…has equal access to this system.”
Sponsor: Kevin Dougherty
Estimated Spending: $335,720
October 27 – Spent My Life 15
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This ad describes George’s career in public service and his endorsements.
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Republican Party
Estimated Spending: $8,190
October 26 – Honored 15
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In this ad, Olson says she supported by law enforcement, small business, and is “highly recommended by the Pennsylvania Bar Association.”
Sponsor: Judy Olson
Estimated Spending: $130,140
October 26 – Coming From 15
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This ad describes Olson’s values of service and integrity.
Sponsor: Judy Olson
Estimated Spending: $93,990
October 26 – Six Candidates
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This ad highlights that Covey was the only candidate “not recommended by the Bar Association.”
Sponsor: Pennsylvanians for Judicial Reform
Estimated Spending: $587,400
October 26 – Born and Raised 15 Rev
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In this ad George says he is “running for the Supreme Court to restore ethics to the bench.”
Sponsor: Mike George
Estimated Spending: $55,240
October 23 – Franco Harris
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Franco Harris positively highlights Covey’s role in the Penn State case.
Sponsor: Anne Covey
Estimated Spending: $315,840
October 21 – Failed to Protect
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This ad claims Dougherty “failed to protect a child” in a past ruling.
Sponsor: Republican State Leadership Committee
Estimated Spending: $237,300
October 21 – Experienced Judges
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This ad praises Covey and Olson for “keeping violent criminals behind bars.”
Sponsor: Republican State Leadership Committee
Estimated Spending: $756,640
October 20 – Schelley Gould
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Det. Gould says Wecht is a “tough on crime judge who has kept criminals off our streets.”
Sponsor: David Wecht
Estimated Spending: $829,830
October 20 – Tim Wynn
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Dougherty will “make sure Veterans Court is expanded.”
Sponsor: Kevin Dougherty
Estimated Spending: $302,540
October 19 – Olson Out of Touch
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This ad says Olson is “completely out of touch with most Pennsylvanians.”
Sponsor: Pennsylvanians for Judicial Reform
Estimated Spending: $383,310
October 19 – Covey Has A Problem Rev
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This ad accuses Covey of dishonesty.
Sponsor: Pennsylvanians for Judicial Reform
Estimated Spending: $16,650
October 19 – Come Under Criticism
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This ad states that George has “come under criticism for failing to protect women and children.”
Sponsor: Pennsylvanians for Judicial Refom
Estimated Spending: $646,350
October 19 – Covey Has A Problem
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This ad says “Pennsylvania needs judges whose honesty is unquestioned. Not Anne Covey.”
Sponsor: Pennsylvanians for Judicial Reform
Estimated Spending: $218,170
October 16 – Little Girl
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This ad discusses Donohue’s upbringing and educational and legal background.
Sponsor: Christine Donohue
Estimated Spending: $310,420
October 15 – Stephen Zappala Sr.
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Former Pennsylvania Chief Justice Stephen Zappala Sr. endorses Kevin Dougherty.
Sponsor: Kevin Dougherty
Estimated Spending: $376,420
October 8 – Past Seven Years
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Donohue says “it’s time to bring integrity back to the supreme court.”
Sponsor: Christine Donohue
Estimated Spending: $534,130
October 7 – Dad Taught Me
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In this ad, Wecht emphasizes fairness because “protecting families is my priority”
Sponsor: David Wecht
Estimated Spending: $144,520
October 6 – Needed A New Leader
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This ad describes Dougherty’s accomplishments in the legal profession.
Sponsor: Kevin Dougherty
Estimated Spending: $247,740
October 6 – Parents Taught Me
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In this ad, Wecht says “nothing is more important than honesty and integrity.”
Sponsor: David Wecht
Estimated Spending: $434,640
May 11 – Spent My Life 15
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“I’ve spent my life in public service,” says George, in this ad.
Sponsor: Mike George
Estimated Spending: $71,930
May 11 – Worked My Way 15
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This ad highlights George’s education and background.
Sponsor: Mike George
Estimated Spending: $63,860
May 11 – Born and Raised 15
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This ad discusses George’s background as a steel mill worker and district attorney.
Sponsor: Mike George
Estimated Spending: $79,040
May 11 – Earned the Endorsement 15
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In this ad, Olson says she has earned the support of law enforcement.
Sponsor: Judy Olson
Estimated Spending: $69,880
May 11 – Support of Law Enforcement 15
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Olson says she “share[s] your values,” in this ad.
Sponsor: Judy Olson
Estimated Spending: $43,970
May 11 – Seth Williams
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A district attorney and child welfare advocate support Dougherty, in this ad.
Sponsor: Kevin Dougherty
Estimated Spending: $374,440
May 11 – Endorsed Republican 15
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Mike George says he is running for the supreme court to “restore ethics to the bench.”
Sponsor: Mike George
Estimated Spending: $155,200
May 10 – Raised
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This ad highlights Dougherty’s experience and professional accomplishments.
Sponsor: Kevin Dougherty
Estimated Spending: $460,940
May 8 – No Political Bosses Here
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John Foradora “knows working class families,” according to this ad.
Sponsor: John Foradora
Estimated Spending: $246,660
May 8 – National Disgrace
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This ad calls the Pennsylvania Supreme Court a “national disgrace” and says Lazarus is the “person the other judges turn to for discipline.”
Sponsor: Anne Lazarus
Estimated Spending: $359,200
May 8 – Honesty
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David Wecht says he is pushing for the toughest judicial ethics laws in the country, in this ad.
Sponsor: David Wecht
Estimated Spending: $152,390
May 7 – Backbone 15
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This ad argues Covey has the backbone needed to be on the supreme court.
Sponsor: Anne Covey
Estimated Spending: $137,550
May 7 – Backbone
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This ad says Anne Covey is “the one judge we know can handle the biggest cases.”
Sponsor: Anne Covey
Estimated Spending: $55,150
May 6 – These Robes
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In this ad, Wecht says he will “restore Pennsylvania’s trust in our supreme court.”
Sponsor: David Wecht
Estimated Spending: $263,140
May 5 – His Black Robe
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This ads says Dougherty believes his black robe is a “symbol of hope.”
Sponsor: Kevin Dougherty
Estimated Spending: $494,470
April 30 – What’s Needed
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This ad praises Wecht’s experience and integrity.
Sponsor: David Wecht
Estimated Spending: $166,640
News
Christian Alexandersen, “We Need a Spirit of Reform”: Democratic Candidates for PA Supreme Court Promote Transparency, pennlive.com, April 29, 2015.
Melissa Daniels, Lawyers Donate Thousands of Dollars to Pennsylvania Supreme Court Race, TribLive, April 26, 2015.
Melanie Orlins, Supreme Court Race Expected to Be a 'Game Changer’, Fox 43, April 21, 2015.
GOP Court Hopeful Gets $500,000 Contribution, Still Trails 2 Dems, Associated Press via The Herald, April 19, 2015.
Methodology
All data on ad airings and spending on ads are calculated and prepared by Kantar Media/CMAG, which captures satellite data in the nation’s largest media markets. CMAG’s estimates do not reflect ad agency commissions or the costs of producing advertisements, nor do they reflect the cost of ad buys on local cable channels. Cost estimates are revised by Kantar Media/CMAG when it receives updated data, resulting in some fluctuations in the reported ad spending.