Statewide Candidates
Maria Battista for Judge of the Superior Court
What experiences qualify you to hold this office?
Maria Battista is a Republican candidate for the Pennsylvania Superior Court. The Superior Court is responsible for criminal and most civil appeals, including those involving families and children. Maria was also a candidate for Superior Court in 2023 and placed first in 52 of 67 counties with her race too close to call on election night. She lost by just 1.39% statewide with 4 candidates running. Maria will bring a fresh perspective to the court, and is uniquely qualified to serve as a judge on the Superior Court with her diverse experiences as an attorney, prosecutor, mediator, educator, and as a hearing examiner issuing hundreds of decisions.
Maria’s passion for courts having qualified judges who are independent, fair, impartial and not political started over 15 years ago when she designed, organized and hosted a legal symposium titled “In the Aftermath of Luzerne County: An Examination of the Courts as Protectors of Children,” which was aired statewide by PA Cable Network. This program discussed the role of the courts, especially the juvenile justice system, after more than 5000 cases came into question as a result of the conduct of two judges. This program focused on regaining trust and transparency in our courts.
Maria's educational background brings an added benefit to the Superior Court. Three of her degrees are in education – a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and master’s and doctorate degrees in education. After criminal cases, cases involving families and children are the second most frequent cases brought to the Superior Court. Maria’s educational background, including related to children with disabilities, will aid the court, and Maria can be a resource to other judges regarding the educational issues impacting the best interest of the child, and assist with the Autism and the Courts initiative.
What Makes you the Best Candidate for the Position?
Maria is battle-tested from her 2023 run for Judge of the Superior Court. People from across the Commonwealth know Maria and there is a significant grassroots effort of support. Maria has connected with the people in each county. Maria’s tireless efforts to run in 2023 and traveling over 70,000 miles allows people to know Maria is committed to “We the People” and ensuring there is equal justice under the law for all people.
In addition to Maria’s other qualifications, including as an assistant district attorney in two counties, she taught Criminal Procedure, Juvenile Justice, and Introduction to Administration of Justice. Maria also taught other attorneys in the areas of health law, mediation, regulatory/administrative law and appellate court oral arguments. Further, Maria spoke at PA Bar Association events and volunteered her time to help judge and coach high school students in mock trial competitions.
The judicial system needs judges who are committed to upholding the law and the Constitution and ensuring that politics is kept out of the courtroom. Maria is committed to being that type of judge.
Maria is the most electable candidate given her results in her 2023 race for the Superior Court. With the additional Republican registrations since 2023 and more voters using mail-in ballots, Maria’s candidacy is positioned for a win in 2025.
What Issues are Priorities for You?
Unlike an individual running for the state house or senate or other types of political races, judicial candidates do not run on issues or personal preferences.
Every case assigned to a Judge on the Superior Court requires individual review. Maria is committed to ensuring that each case she is assigned is reviewed fairly and impartially and without personal bias.
Matt Wolford for Judge of the Commonwealth Court
Matt Wolford is a proven legal expert with a deep understanding of government and the law. Throughout his career, he has litigated cases in State and Federal courts, as well as quasi-judicial State agencies, many of which were argued before the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court.
Matt is a small business owner who practices law as a solo practitioner in Erie, PA, where he concentrates on environmental law. Before going into private practice, he served as an Assistant Counsel and Regional Counsel for the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (“DEP”). Prior to joining the DEP, he served as a prosecutor with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General (“OAG”), Environmental Crimes Section in Meadville, PA; and as a civil litigation attorney for the OAG’s Torts Litigation Section in Philadelphia, PA. He also served as a special prosecutor of environmental crimes for both the OAG and the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania.
Matt lectures regularly for the Pennsylvania Bar Institute (now part of the Pennsylvania Bar Association) and has lectured for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s National Enforcement Training Institute, the DEP, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, Pennsylvania’s Minor Judiciary, the Erie County Bar Association, and various other county bar associations and organizations. He also authored a chapter in the Pennsylvania Bar Institute’s The Law of Oil & Gas in Pennsylvania focusing on oil and gas development on public lands and was an Adjunct Professor at Gannon University in Erie, PA, where he taught a course on environmental law.
Matt is a longtime member of the Presque Isle State Park Complex Advisory Committee and the Presque Isle Partnership. He received his undergraduate degree from Penn State and his Juris Doctorate degree from the Temple University School of Law and is a member of the Erie County and Pennsylvania Bar Associations. He and his wife, Marian, are the proud parents of four children.