Neuman sworn in as judge, resigns House seat
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
New Washington County Judge Brandon Neuman gets help from his wife, Carrie, as he puts on his black judicial robe after Tuesday’s swearing-in ceremony.
Jesse Pettit kisses his wife, Rebecca, after being sworn in as a magisterial district judge.
A placard advertising the name of a legislative hopeful was parked smack-dab in front of Washington County Courthouse Tuesday as crowds made their way up and down the well-salted steps in arctic-like weather.
“It was the only parking place available,” quipped Joe Zupancic of North Strabane Township, one of a seeming legion of candidates lining up to succeed Brandon Neuman as state representative from the 48th District.
Neuman was one of two men taking ceremonial oaths of office Tuesday morning in the cavernous red courtroom, where his 2-year-old daughter, Josie, with unbridled excitement, shouted, to the delight of the audience, “Yaaay Daddy!”
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
Observer-Reporter
Jesse Pettit shakes hands in January 2017 with Judge John DiSalle after his swearing-in ceremony as district magistrate.
Also surrounded by an ebullient entourage was the county’s newest magisterial district judge, Jesse Pettit of Venetia, who will preside over cases from the McMurray-based office for Peters, Nottingham and Union townships plus Finleyville.
Pettit, who mounted a long-shot independent candidacy last year, succeeds longtime District Judge James Ellis, who chose not to seek a sixth, six-year term.
Neuman, however, resigned his seat in the State House effective Dec. 31, creating a closely watched contest for which a special election date could be announced as soon as the end of this week.
House Speaker Mike Turzai has 10 days from Neuman’s resignation to announce an election to fill the vacancy. Soon-to-be-Judge Neuman said in an interview shortly before the beginning of the swearing-in ceremony he expected the special election for his 48th District House seat to coincide with the March 13 special election to fill the vacant 18th Congressional District seat most recently occupied by Tim Murphy, R-Upper St. Clair, who resigned in October amidst scandal.
“Most likely it will be on March 13, but the Speaker of the House has total discretion,” Neuman continued. “The first eligible date, if he calls it immediately, would be the first Tuesday in March. I assume for purposes of saving the county money, and because the 48th District is fully within the PA 18th, that he would hold it on the same day.”
That first Tuesday – March 6 – is also a nomination petition-filing deadline for county Democratic and Republican committee posts. Holding a special election on the same day as a filing deadline would create a nightmare for Washington County elections office.
In brief remarks, Neuman thanked members of his family and supporters, plus his predecessor in the 48th Legislative District, Tim Solobay, who resigned as Pennsylvania fire commissioner during the New Year holiday weekend.
According to several media reports, Solobay stepped down over a sexual harassment complaint filed by a former staffer in 2011 when he was a member of the Senate. The complaint was not made public until the media reported it over the weekend.
Neuman was an intern in Solobay’s legislative office and succeeded him in 2010 when Solobay was elected to the Senate.
Celeste Van Kirk/Observer-Reporter
Tim Solobay, the former state legislator from Canonsburg who resigned over the weekend as state fire commissioner, congratulates Brandon Neuman as he becomes a Washington County judge.
Solobay attended the ceremony at the courthouse, greeting and speaking to those who thronged around him.
Approached for comment on the recent development before a reception in the judges’ law library, Solobay handed over a one-sentence, prepared statement and walked away.
The statement read, “On advice from counsel, till (sic) our legal options are reviewed, we have no other comment at this time. Thank you, Tim Solobay.”
State Rep. Pam Snyder, D-Jefferson, said she’ll miss Neuman as a colleague in the General Assembly, but she reminded his 48th District constituents his office in Suite 207 of the George Washington, 60 S. Main St., Washington, will remain open and staffed on weekdays.
District Judge Mark Wilson of Monongahela, whose territory includes his home community plus Carroll Township, Donora and New Eagle, was also scheduled to be sworn in Tuesday, but President Judge Katherine B. Emery said Wilson was unable to attend the event due to illness.