Beth Tarasi Sinatra
Beth Tarasi Sinatra (Democratic Party, Republican Party) ran for election for judge of the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas in Pennsylvania. She lost in the Democratic primary on May 18, 2021. She lost in the Republican primary on May 18, 2021.
Tarasi was also a candidate for Pennsylvania Superior Court. She lost in the Democratic primary on May 21, 2019.
Previously, Tarasi was a Democratic candidate for Pennsylvania's 17th Congressional District in the U.S. House. Tarasi withdrew from the election before the primary scheduled for May 15, 2018.
Biography
Tarasi earned a B.A. in business from the University of Pittsburgh in 1982 and a J.D. from the Duquesne University School of Law in 1991. Her professional experience includes working as an attorney. Tarasi has been involved with the Pennsylvania Association for Justice - Amicus Committee, WPTLA, and the ACBA - Rules Comittee.[1]
Elections
2021
See also: Municipal elections in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania (2021)
General election
General election for Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas (10 seats)
The following candidates ran in the general election for Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas on November 2, 2021.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Nicola Henry-Taylor (D) | 6.9 | 153,174 | |
| ✔ | Tiffany Sizemore (D) | 6.8 | 151,134 | |
| ✔ | Elliot Howsie (D) | 6.8 | 150,872 | |
| ✔ | Wrenna Watson (D) | 6.8 | 149,859 | |
| ✔ | Chelsa Wagner (D) | 6.7 | 148,534 | |
| ✔ | Lisa Middleman (R / D) | 6.7 | 147,452 | |
| ✔ | Thomas P. Caulfield (D) | 6.6 | 147,367 | |
| ✔ | Sabrina Korbel (R / D) | 6.6 | 147,303 | |
| ✔ | Bruce Beemer (R / D) | 6.4 | 141,948 | |
| ✔ | Jessel Costa (D) | 6.4 | 140,773 | |
| Anthony DeLuca (R) | 5.0 | 110,422 | ||
| Joseph Patrick Murphy (R) | 4.6 | 103,004 | ||
| Mark Patrick Flaherty (R) | 4.6 | 102,482 | ||
| William Caye II (R) | 4.5 | 99,217 | ||
| Daniel J. Konieczka Jr. (R) | 4.4 | 97,283 | ||
| Chuck Porter (R) | 4.3 | 95,305 | ||
| Rick Hosking (R) | 3.8 | 85,111 | ||
| Richard Weiss (G) | 1.9 | 41,948 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 3,066 | ||
| Total votes: 2,216,254 | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas (10 seats)
The following candidates ran in the Democratic primary for Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas on May 18, 2021.
| Total votes: 1,148,248 | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas (10 seats)
The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas on May 18, 2021.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Joseph Patrick Murphy | 7.2 | 26,247 | |
| ✔ | Bruce Beemer | 5.8 | 21,139 | |
| ✔ | Anthony DeLuca | 5.6 | 20,567 | |
| ✔ | Daniel J. Konieczka Jr. | 5.5 | 20,266 | |
| ✔ | William Caye II | 5.2 | 19,115 | |
| ✔ | Chuck Porter | 5.2 | 18,989 | |
| ✔ | Sabrina Korbel | 5.2 | 18,861 | |
| ✔ | Mark Patrick Flaherty | 4.9 | 17,899 | |
| ✔ | Lisa Middleman | 4.0 | 14,694 | |
| Matt Rogers | 3.9 | 14,165 | ||
| Pauline Calabrese | 3.8 | 14,065 | ||
| Elliot Howsie | 3.5 | 12,810 | ||
| Marc Daffner | 3.5 | 12,643 | ||
| Ryan Hemminger | 3.1 | 11,506 | ||
| Jimmy Sheets | 3.1 | 11,309 | ||
| Andrew Szefi | 3.1 | 11,211 | ||
| Thomas P. Caulfield | 3.0 | 10,957 | ||
| Beth Tarasi Sinatra | 2.9 | 10,743 | ||
| Albert Veverka | 2.9 | 10,559 | ||
| Patrick A. Sweeney | 2.9 | 10,446 | ||
| Jason Cervone | 2.6 | 9,545 | ||
| Chelsa Wagner | 2.6 | 9,330 | ||
| Jessel Costa | 2.2 | 7,886 | ||
| Ilan Zur | 1.9 | 6,921 | ||
| Wrenna Watson | 1.7 | 6,167 | ||
| Mik Pappas | 1.5 | 5,651 | ||
| Richard Thomas Ernsberger | 1.5 | 5,366 | ||
| Zeke Rediker | 0.9 | 3,205 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.9 | 3,188 | ||
| Total votes: 365,450 | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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2019
See also: Pennsylvania intermediate appellate court elections, 2019
General election
General election for Pennsylvania Superior Court (2 seats)
Daniel D. McCaffery and Megan McCarthy King defeated Amanda Green-Hawkins and Christylee Peck in the general election for Pennsylvania Superior Court on November 5, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Daniel D. McCaffery (D) | 25.8 | 1,273,658 | |
| ✔ | Megan McCarthy King (R) | 25.4 | 1,252,065 | |
| Amanda Green-Hawkins (D) | 25.1 | 1,235,827 | ||
| Christylee Peck (R) | 23.7 | 1,166,201 | ||
| Total votes: 4,927,751 | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Pennsylvania Superior Court (2 seats)
Amanda Green-Hawkins and Daniel D. McCaffery defeated Beth Tarasi Sinatra in the Democratic primary for Pennsylvania Superior Court on May 21, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Amanda Green-Hawkins | 38.0 | 480,225 | |
| ✔ | Daniel D. McCaffery | 32.2 | 407,660 | |
| Beth Tarasi Sinatra | 29.8 | 376,885 | ||
| Total votes: 1,264,770 | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Ryan James (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Pennsylvania Superior Court (2 seats)
Megan McCarthy King and Christylee Peck defeated Rebecca L. Warren in the Republican primary for Pennsylvania Superior Court on May 21, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Megan McCarthy King | 35.6 | 370,084 | |
| ✔ | Christylee Peck | 33.5 | 348,271 | |
| Rebecca L. Warren | 30.9 | 321,536 | ||
| Total votes: 1,039,891 | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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2018
General election
General election for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 17
Incumbent Conor Lamb defeated incumbent Keith Rothfus in the general election for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 17 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Conor Lamb (D) | 56.3 | 183,162 | |
| Keith Rothfus (R) | 43.7 | 142,417 | ||
| Total votes: 325,579 | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 17
Incumbent Conor Lamb advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 17 on May 15, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Conor Lamb | 100.0 | 52,590 | |
| Total votes: 52,590 | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 17
Incumbent Keith Rothfus advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 17 on May 15, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Keith Rothfus | 100.0 | 38,513 | |
| Total votes: 38,513 | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Campaign themes
2021
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Beth Tarasi Sinatra did not complete Ballotpedia's 2021 Candidate Connection survey.
2019
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Beth Tarasi Sinatra completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Tarasi Sinatra's responses.
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
Fairness and justice for the people of Pennsylvania
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
Reviewing the lower court record for error so that all people are treated fairly in the courts.
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
My father Louis M. Tarasi Jr. who is and has been an outstanding trial attorney and advocate for people. He has been a tremendous mentor and teacher to me.
Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?
The movie, Erin Brockovich
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
Experience, life lessons, passion, compassion
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
The temperament and patience to learn, study and understand the issue or problem I am reviewing.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
The duty of a Superior Court Judge is to review the lower court record for error and correct any error.
What legacy would you like to leave?
I want to be remembered for being a loving and supportive mother, daughter and wife, a hard worker, fair and just attorney and a woman who always help and gave people a voice in the courts.
What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?
John F Kennedy was assassinated, I was 3 years old.
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
Paper girl - 1 year age 12
What is your favorite holiday? Why?
Christmas - especially Christmas eve, I make the feast of the 7 fishes for my family. My sons are home and my brothers, sisters and parents come to my home.
How would you describe your legal philosophy?
I believe that I continue to grow in my legal philosophy. Justice and fairness for all the people that I serve in my profession is what I strive for.
Is there a particular judge, past or present, whom you admire?
The Honorable Carol Los Mansmann. Judge Mansmann inspired me to pursue a career in the law and she mentored me along the way. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carol_Los_Mansmann
Do you believe that empathy is an important quality for a judge?
I believe that compassion is important and it has to be balanced with the rule of law and life's experiences.
Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this judicial position that you believe more people should be aware of?
The Pennsylvania Superior Court is the most active appellate court in the United States. The Court hears over 8,000 appeals a year. An attorney seeking to be elected has to understand the amount of work this position entails. A candidate must be experienced in Pennsylvania state trial practice and must be ready to work. Also, each Superior Court Judge must run their office like they are running a small business.
Do you believe that the Bar Association ratings are an accurate reflection of a judge's ability?
No
Why are you running for this particular court seat?
Pennsylvania Superior Court
If you are not a sitting judge, do you have previous judicial experience? Do you believe it's important to have that kind of experience for this judgeship?
No
Do you believe that it's beneficial for a judge to have previous experience in government or politics?
No
What is your primary concern about today's legal system in your state?
That we elect Judges who are experienced in Pennsylvania law and have practiced in and before the Pennsylvania Courts.
What do you consider the greatest opportunity for the legal system in your state?
To assure that the law of Pennsylvania is being applied correctly and justly to the citizens of Pennsylvania.
Would you be interested in serving on a higher court in the future? If so, which court appeals to you?
No
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Ballotpedia biographical submission form
The candidate completed Ballotpedia's biographical information submission form:
| “ | What is your political philosophy?
Fair and impartial justice for the people.[2] |
” |
| —Beth Tarasi[1] | ||
See also
2021 Elections
External links
Footnotes
Federal courts:
Third Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Middle District of Pennsylvania, Western District of Pennsylvania • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Middle District of Pennsylvania, Western District of Pennsylvania
State courts:
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania • Pennsylvania Superior Court • Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court • Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas • Pennsylvania Magisterial Districts
State resources:
Courts in Pennsylvania • Pennsylvania judicial elections • Judicial selection in Pennsylvania
