Judicial retention is a system of retaining judges for additional terms after they have been elected on a partisan, contested ballot. Previous elected incumbent candidates for justice or judge appear unopposed on the ballot. They only question confronting the voter is whether or not the judge should be retained.

Retention Election: Justice of the Supreme Court

Term: 10 year

Salary: $171,800

Duties: The Pennsylvania Supreme Court is the highest judicial authority in the commonwealth. In addition to being the final state court of appeal, it serves as administrator of the unified court system and is responsible for ensuring that all Pennsylvania courts perform their duties properly. The court hears appeals of decisions of the Superior and Commonwealth courts and in certain cases, including those involving the death penalty, from the Common Pleas Courts. It may also assume jurisdiction over any case pending before a lower court that involves an issue of immediate public importance. There are seven Supreme Court justices, the chief justice being the one having the longest continuous service on the court.

The following candidates were asked to list their education, occupation and qualifications for this office. They were also asked to reply to the following question: What specific suggestions do you have for improving the administration of justice in Pennsylvania?

Sandra Schultz Newman
67, Gladwyne

Education: Drexel University, B.S., 1959; Temple University, M.A., 1969; Villanova Law School, J.D., 1972.

Occupation: Justice, Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

Qualifications: I had 22 years' trial/appellate practice, including civil/criminal cases; bachelor's and master's degrees; service as judge on Commonwealth Court, and now almost 10 years' experience as justice on Pennsylvania's Supreme Court.

Answer: Essential to the administration of justice is the court system's ability to ensure a secure court environment. I have presided over the Supreme Court's effort to enhance security in court facilities statewide. From our initial improvements at the magisterial district judge courts through our planned initiatives at the Common Pleas and appellate levels, we are becoming the national model for improving safety for the benefit of jurors, victims of crime, litigants and the public.

Russell M. Nigro
59, Lower Gwynedd

Education: Temple University, 1969, B.B.A.; Rutgers University School of Law, 1973, J.D.

Occupation: Pennsylvania Supreme Court justice (1996 to present).

Qualifications: Completing 10-year term in present position. Formerly served for eight years on Common Pleas Court bench. Rated "recommended" by Pennsylvania Bar Association on September 14, 2005.

Answer: Reducing racial and gender bias in the justice system and enhancing public trust and confidence in that system. To these ends, I will be evaluating the recommendations of the Committee on Racial and Gender Bias in the Justice System and the Commission for Justice Initiatives in Pennsylvania, and working to implement those recommendations that will serve the interests of Pennsylvanians. I also remain committed to upgrading the educational components of our continuing legal education system.