Dec 27, 2018 3 min read

Citing her experience as a lawyer, deputy district attorney and magisterial district judge, Traci McDonald is running for a new judgeship on the Washington County Court of Common Pleas.

“Politics have no place in the courtroom and justice should not be decided in red or blue or black and white. Every person coming into a courtroom must have confidence that they will be treated fairly and respectfully without regard to their political affiliations, personal associations or economic resources,” said McDonald, 48, in announcing her candidacy last week.

Co-chairmen of her campaign committee are Washington County Commissioner Diana Irey Vaughan and former district attorney Steve Toprani. She intends to file nominating petitions as both a Democrat and Republican.

McDonald was elected magisterial district judge in 2015 for Cecil Township, McDonald Borough and vicinity, where she presides over criminal, civil, landlord-tenant, traffic and summary cases. She is also responsible for issuing arrest and search warrants.

By her peers, she was appointed by the Pennsylvania Special Court Judges Association to revise the group’s bylaws.

The daughter of James R. “Cookie” McDonald and the late Joan McDonald, the candidate is a graduate of Washington High School, Clarion University and the University of Pittsburgh Law School.

She clerked for President Judge Thomas D. Gladden in Washington County and Judge Stanton R. Wettick in Allegheny County. She also was an associate attorney with the law firm of Marcus & Shapira, LLP, where she handled a variety of civil matters in state and federal court.

During her 14 years with the Washington County district attorney’s office, McDonald led the county’s Specialized Victim Investigative Unit, dealing with victims of crime and prosecuting criminals who preyed on children, families and seniors.

An adjunct professor of legal studies at California University of Pennsylvania and Waynesburg University for several years, she also volunteers for several community organizations, including the Washington Health System Board, the Village of Fpc (First Presbyterian Church) child-care center in California and is an active member with Hickory Lion’s Club and Canonsburg Business and Professional Women. She has been the recipient of several awards.

She and her husband and their two daughters reside in McDonald Borough.

After the state Legislature approved the expansion of the Washington County bench to include a seventh judge, voters will nominate candidates in the May 21 primary election. The winner of the general election will take office in January 2020.

The current salary for a Common Pleas Court judge is $180,299.