Marmo and Bicket capture both nominations for Common Pleas seats
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Sitting Judge Michael F. Marmo and civil litigator Alexander P. Bicket both captured the Republican and the Democratic nominations for Allegheny County Common Pleas Court judge Tuesday night, meaning they will likely sail through the general election to occupy the two available seats on the court.
Five of the seven candidates for the Court of Common Pleas were cross-listed on both ballots for the primary, a common practice in judicial races that makes it possible for one person to receive two nominations. Because there are two spots and two candidates going forward, Judge Marmo and Mr. Bicket are almost certain to win the jobs in November.
Mr. Bicket, who also celebrated his birthday Tuesday, called the news "wonderful."
"This has been a long, hard road, and I've had a lot of help from a lot of people ...," he said. "I just want to thank all the voters of Allegheny County."
Judge Marmo could not be reached for comment.
Mr. Bicket, 55, of Mt. Lebanon, is a partner at law firm Zimmer Kunz, where he has worked as a civil litigator for 23 years. Raised in South Africa, he moved to the United States as a young adult, then taught at Fox Chapel Area High School while attending law school at night. He was rated "highly recommended" by the Allegheny County Bar Association this year.
"I'm just delighted to be the first South African immigrant ever to be elected to any court in any state in these United States of America," Mr. Bicket said.
Judge Marmo, 56, of Ohio Township, has served in the Family Division of the court since 2009, when he was appointed to fill a vacancy. Prior to his appointment, he worked as a tax collector in Emsworth, a municipal solicitor in numerous local communities and a special master on the county Board of Viewers, which handles property tax assessment appeals. He also ran a private practice. Judge Marmo was rated "recommended" by the bar association.
Jurists on the Court of Common Pleas are elected for 10-year terms. Five others tried for party nominations in the primary Tuesday: child welfare expert Eleanor Bush; family court hearing officer Leah Williams Duncan; former prosecutor Daniel J. Konieczka Jr.; and two criminal defense lawyers, Carmen L. Robinson and Jennifer Satler.
Judge Marmo and Mr. Bicket held comfortable leads in the race Tuesday night, Judge Marmo with slightly more of the vote than Mr. Bicket.
In third place on the Democratic ballot was Ms. Satler, a former public defender married to a Pittsburgh police homicide detective. Edging her out slightly for third place on the Republican ballot was Mr. Konieczka, who retired from his job as deputy district attorney to run for judge.
Allegheny County election results can be found at http://www.alleghenycounty.us/elect/201105pri/results.aspx. Click on "summary report."
State election results can be found at http://www.electionreturns.state.pa.us/.
First Published May 18, 2011 12:46 am
