The race for a city judicial post has attracted four candidates, each of whom claims to have something unique to bring to the job.
The office in Lancaster's 2nd and 6th wards is being filled by Richard H. Simms, a retired magisterial district justice from the city's 3rd and 7th wards who stepped in to fill a vacancy created when Richard W. Musser resigned in May 2005.
The candidates are: Jack M. Tracy, Michael L. Branner, Jason S. Fikkert and Janice Jimenez.
The first three candidates are registered Republicans; Jimenez is a Democrat. However, they all have cross-filed for the May 15 primary.
Republican and Democratic voters will be asked to vote for one candidate. There's a chance one candidate might receive the most votes on both the Democratic and Republican tickets, and go unchallenged in the general election.
The 2nd and 6th wards are heavily Democratic, with 4,880 registered Democrats and 3,100 registered Republicans.
Jimenez was endorsed by the city Democratic Committee in February. The city GOP decided on an open election.
Besides party backing, ballot position might play a significant role May 15.
The county elections bureau plans to draw lots Wednesday for ballot positions.
A magisterial district judge handles a variety of cases that fall under "special court" jurisdiction. Those cases include serious crimes, as well as traffic violations, landlord-tenant disputes and truancy issues.
The district judge's office at 301 N. Queen St. in northeast Lancaster is the busiest office in the county judicial system, said Tom Weaver, deputy court administrator for the county. Last year, the office processed more than 12,700 cases, and in 2005 it handled more than 13,300, he said.
Tracy, a former city councilman who served during Democrat Janice Stork's administration, was the first to announce his candidacy.
He is a security supervisor for Wyeth Pharmaceuticals in Montgomery and Chester counties.
Tracy, 52, said because he's a lifelong resident of the district, he has the most to offer voters.
A graduate of McCaskey High School, Tracy served as a committeeman in the city and as chairman of Republican Charlie Smithgall's successful campaign for mayor in 1997.
Active in Neighborhood Watch groups and other anti-crime projects, Tracy said he is drawn to community service.
Jimenez, 43, a sergeant with the Millersville University police department, is backed by the Latino Democrats, a new contingent of political activists, as well as the city Democratic Committee.
The candidate graduated last spring from Millersville University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in sociology/criminology with a minor in history. She is a member of the Lancaster County Human Relations Commission's police committee.
She also is owner of the City Corral, an indoor flea market at 225 N. Marshall St., which houses her campaign headquarters.
She said she hopes voters realize that the position is based on qualifications. "It's going to be a lot of work," she said of the campaign. "It will be a good race with good competition."
Branner, 51, a city police sergeant, has been with the department for more than 30 years. He is a supervisor of the warrant squad, a quartermaster, a range officer and a first-aid instructor. Police department employees are permitted to run for public office, but must campaign on their own time.
He's also active in the police department's softball team and a basketball league at the YMCA.
Branner, a graduate of McCaskey High School, said he is ready to move into a role as a magisterial district judge, where he can continue to serve the community.
Fikkert, 33, has been a community-service aide with city police for seven years. His aspirations of becoming a police officer were squelched by a back injury.
"My passion for law enforcement will help me as a [magisterial district judge]," said Fikkert, father of two young children.
He said he would look forward to dealing with quality-of-life issues such as absentee landlords and traffic nuisances.
Fikkert has lived in the district since 2004. He graduated from Lampeter-Strasburg High School.
Residency is an underlying issue in this campaign.
Musser quit after local political activist Ron Harper Jr., editor of 5thEstate.com, and the county district attorney raised questions regarding his residency status. The district attorney reported that Musser lived in Manheim Township.
Pennsylvania constitutional law requires district judges to live in the districts where they preside. Candidates have to live in the district for at least one year to qualify for a run for office.
Tracy is a 25-year resident of the community.
Jimenez, a longtime city resident, said she moved into the northeast district last May. It is also where her business is located.
Branner settled on a home on North Shippen Street in February. Prior to that, he rented an apartment on East Orange Street, which he moved into in early November, he said.
By the Nov. 6 general election, he will have met the residency requirement.
A magisterial district judge receives $74,500 a year, along with health-care and pension benefits.
Campaign committee
Charlie Smithgall, former mayor of Lancaster who is running for county commissioner, has named the members of his campaign committee.
Terry Christopher, a senior at Millersville University, is chairman and manager. Christopher served on Bryan Cutler's campaign last year for the 100th state legislative district. He is a speech communications major.
Jeffrey Goss, a lawyer with Hartman, Underhill & Brubaker, is treasurer Raymond Smith, a staff member for U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter, is press secretary.
Smithgall, a Republican, is running without the county party's endorsement. GOP endorsed candidates are Scott Martin and Dennis Stuckey, county controller Heidi Wheaton, a Republican, also is running.
Incumbent county commissioner Molly Henderson and city controller Craig Lehman are on the Democratic primary ticket. Both are endorsed.
Mark your calendar
The six GOP endorsed county judge candidates have said they plan to campaign as a team, but that doesn't mean they have to raise money together.
Two of the candidates are to benefit from separate spring fundraising events.
St. Patrick's fundraisers
To celebrate St. Patrick's Day, the Penn Manor Democratic Committee will hold a "Luck of the Irish Fundraiser" from 3 to 7 p.m. today at the George Street Cafe in Millersville. Tickets are $15 and will get you a corned beef and cabbage dinner with Irish soda bread and green beer.
For more information or to make reservations, call Judy Saylor at 872-2961.
Judy A. Strausbaugh is political writer for the Sunday News. She can be reached at 291-8689 or jstrausbaugh@lnpnews.com.