ST. MARYS – The Elk Country Democratic picnic will be held July 23 at the Crystal Fire Department Training Facility on West Creek Road in St. Marys.
Hosted by the Elk County Democratic Committee, its summer picnic regularly attracts attendees from numerous counties throughout north-central Pennsylvania.
Starting at 2 p.m., the picnic features a complete picnic buffet, including barbecue ribs and fried chicken along with drinks and dessert.
The keynote speaker for the event is Judge Deborah Kunselman, a candidate for Pennsylvania Superior Court.
Kunselman was the first woman ever elected to the Court of Common Pleas of Beaver County in 2005.
Before taking the bench, Kunselman practiced for 13 years in many areas of civil litigation, including personal injury, municipal, family and employment law.
Her varied practice consisted of representing individuals, businesses and government entities. Notably, she successfully represented several teachers in an Equal Pay Act and Age Discrimination claim, recovering a substantial jury verdict on their behalf.
Elected twice to the bench, Kunselman has presided over family, juvenile and civil cases, including several multi-million-dollar jury trials.
She has decided many employment cases, including cases where she upheld appeals from labor arbitration awards.
In one important case, she awarded back-pay and reinstated an employee in the health-care industry, who was terminated for refusing mandatory overtime.
She often speaks at local schools on the Constitution and legal careers, and she continues to teach religious education classes at her church.
As an active member of the Beaver County Bar Association, Kunselman participates annually in the Beaver County Mock Trial Competition and many other volunteer programs.
In 2017, the Pennsylvania Bar Association Judicial Evaluation Committee rated her as “Highly Recommended” for a seat on the Pennsylvania Superior Court.
She is endorsed by the Pennsylvania Democratic Party. A life-long resident of western Pennsylvania, Kunselman and her husband Christopher are the parents of three children.
More information about Kunselman is available on her Web site: www.deborahkunselman.com.
Information about the party’s entire slate of candidates for statewide judicial office will be available at the picnic.
Also on the ballot for the General Election are former Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steeler and Allegheny Court Judge Dwayne Woodruff, candidate for Pennsylvania Supreme Court, Pennsylvania Supreme Court Candidates and Philadelphia Court Judges Maria McLaughlin and Carolyn Nichols, current Superior Court Judge Geoff Moulton as well as Philadelphia Court Judge Ellen Ceisler and Allegheny County’s Irene Clark, candidates for Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court.
Current Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Debra Todd is also on the ballot for retention for a second 10-year term.
Advanced reservations are requested for the picnic and all area Democrats are welcome. If you believe in progressive politics, this is a great way to meet others to join the cause.
Tickets are $5 for adults and $2 for children. Local current union members are also encouraged to attend as complimentary tickets are being provided by the committee.
For more information, call 814-594-5500 or visit the committee’s Web site: www.elkdems.com. Tickets are also available on the event page of their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ElkCoDC.