Jun 28, 2019 2 min read

The state Senate unanimously confirmed Traci McDonald-Kemp as an interim appointment to a Washington County judgeship.

McDonald-Kemp, 48, won the Republican and Democratic nominations in the May 21 primary for a seventh seat on the Washington County bench that was enacted in 2017.

Once the additional seat on the bench was created, the governor could have made an appointment at any time.

“All of a sudden it came up,” said Washington County President Judge Katherine B. Emery, who became aware of the possibility June 11.

“We welcome her aboard, and we’ll find a space for her,” said Emery, noting the growing caseload in Washington County Court was the reason the additional judgeship, plus the assignment of senior judges, has been approved.

The vote in the Senate Thursday night to confirm McDonald-Kemp as a gubernatorial appointee was unanimous.

State Sen. Camera Bartolotta, R-Carroll, was listed on the legislative website as sponsoring McDonald-Kemp.

In a news release issued Friday afternoon, McDonald-Kemp also thanked state Sen. Jay Costa, minority leader, for his support.

There is often a flurry of legislative activity as the state’s fiscal year draws to a close June 30 before a summer recess.

Emery said Gov. Tom Wolf must sign McDonald-Kemp’s commission, and when she takes the oath of office as the county’s first black woman judge will be up to McDonald-Kemp.

Capturing 73% of the Democratic vote and 64% of the Republican vote, McDonald-Kemp in a statement called the appointment an “extraordinary honor.”

A former deputy district attorney, McDonald-Kemp’s name will still appear on the November ballot in November for a 10-year term on common pleas court.

Where the courtroom and office for the seventh judge will be has not been decided, Emery said.

In Harrisburg last week, McDonald-Kemp met with 10 of the 14 members of the judiciary committee as part of the confirmation process.

As a sitting magisterial district judge for the Cecil Township area, McDonald-Kemp will have to resign her elected position before being sworn in as a common pleas court judge.

The magisterial office will be covered by senior district judges until an election for a six-year term can be held in 2021. It could also be filled on an interim basis by a Wolf appointee.