The Courts

Emily Kreps: Judicial restraint on the line — PA Supreme Court retention and the Constitution Emily Kreps October 16, 2025 October 15, 2025

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Twenty years ago, Pennsylvania voters sent shockwaves through the political establishment. Voters were tired of being ignored and voted NO on retention for Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Russell Nigro. It was the first and only time a statewide appellate judge had ever lost a retention election.

That history frames today’s debate over judicial restraint.

On November 4, Pennsylvanians will decide whether to retain three justices — Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty, and David Wecht — for another ten years. Their record raises important questions abou

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