County and Statewide Offices for 2025
Court of Common Pleas of Montgomery County
Lauren Hughes for Judge of Court of Common Pleas — website
Lauren Hughes is a lifelong Montgomery County resident and experienced attorney with a deep commitment to fostering a legal system that is fair, compassionate, and accessible to all.Born and raised in Norristown, Lauren learned the values of hard work and community service from her mother, Netta, a devoted activist. After losing her father at just 11 years old, she was instilled with a strong belief that everyone deserves respect, dignity, and equal access to justice.A proud graduate of Norristown Area High School, Lauren went on to earn her Business Administration degree from Florida A&M University before obtaining her law degree from Widener University Delaware Law School—all while working full-time at CareerLink. She began her legal career as a Public Defender in Montgomery County, where she gained invaluable experience advocating for justice and fairness.Today, as a Senior Solicitor for the Montgomery County Solicitor’s Office, she provides legal counsel to the Health and Human Services departments, working to protect and support the community’s most vulnerable populations. Beyond her legal work, Lauren serves as an elected councilwoman in Norristown, where she works closely with residents to address challenges and improve their quality of life. She is also a leader within the Montgomery Bar Association and is set to become its first African American president in 2029. Lauren is actively involved in numerous professional and public service organizations, including the Pennsylvania Bar Association, Montgomery Bar Association, Barristers’ Association of Philadelphia, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She also serves as a Senior Hearing Committee Member for the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, ensuring ethical standards are upheld in the legal profession.When she’s not in the courtroom, Lauren enjoys traveling, concerts and watching her beloved Eagles and college basketball.
Mary Pugh for Judge of Court of Common Pleas— website
Mary Pugh graduated summa cum laude from Rosemont College and received the Genevieve Blatt Award and Esther Sylves-ter Law School scholarship to Villanova Law School where she graduated in 1986 having served as a member of the Law Review. As a trial attorney, Mary concentrated in medical malpractice and products liability and then appellate law. In 2005, Mary became a child advocate volunteer for Montgomery Child Advocacy Project, MCAP, then its first Executive Director running its operations while maintaining a full caseload representing abused, neglected, and trafficked children. She promotes the rights of children and child welfare reforms throughout Pennsylvania. Mary’s service is extensive. Mary serves as a Delegate to both the Pennsylvania Children’s Roundtable and the Pennsylvania Bar Association. She is a member of the Montgomery County Youth Center Board, Domestic Violence Legal Network, Family Justice Advisory Board, and MontgomeryWhatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.County Roundtable. She is a certified trainer for Mandated Reporters and the Darkness to Light Training programs. She volunteered for the Youth Aid Panel (2008-2019) and was the Chairperson and member of the Montgomery County’s Children Advisory Committee from 2011-2019. Mary actively supports the Democratic party.She volunteers for phone-banks, door knockings, and texting; served on the MCDC Golf Outing Committee from 2019 -2021, 2024 and volunteered at 2022 event; joined a group to prevent districting for the Supreme Court; and consistently contributes to candidates and attends many events. Mary presents seminars about the law, victims’ rights, safety for children, and civics. Throughout the years, Mary received awards for her services, advocacy, and legal expertise locally and nationally. A lifelong resident of Montgomery County, Mary and her husband, William Pugh, have four daughters and five grandchildren. As a judge, Mary wants to use her experience, service, and passion to ensure EVERYONE is treated with dignity, respect, and fairness.
Ray McGarry for Judge of Court of Common Pleas —website
Ray has been a resident of Montgomery County since graduating from law school in 1989, residing in Abington during that entire time. Ray is married with three daughters and one granddaughter. Ray served on the School Board for 24 years, between 1997 and 2021, and having served as the President of the board for 13 of those years. In addition to his time on the School Board, Ray served as the Solicitor of Montgomery County between 2012 and 2017, under the leadership of our now Governor, Josh Shapiro. As Solicitor, Ray drafted an Ethics’ Policy for the County and drafted its first ever Responsible Contractor Policy! He also represented Bruce Hanes and the County in the fight for same-sex marriage in Pennsylvania. Recently, Ray had the honor of serving in the Solicitor’s Office for a second time – this time as the Interim Solicitor of the County at the request of Ken Lawrence and Jamila Winder. Ray served in that role from July 2023 until April 2024, which gave him the opportunity to serve with our current Commissioners Jamila Winder and Neal Makhija. It also gave him the opportunity to strengthen the Responsible Contractor Policy that he originally drafted back in 2012. Ray has been a practicing attorney for 35 years. In addition to his government service, his practice has been primarily in the area of commercial (business) litigation, employment law, labor and construction law. He has represented individuals, entrepreneurs, sole proprietorships, and businesses in many different fields. He has tried jury trials, bench trials, injunction proceedings and arbitrations. Ray clerked for a judge the summer after his first year of law school. He saw firsthand at that early point in his career the significant role judges play in making sure every person that appears in court is treated fairly, honestly, and with compassion and respect. As a trial lawyer he understands how important it is that judges come to the bench every day prepared, and ready to deliver justice in an unbiased, ethical and equitable manner. Ray was rated Highly Recommended by the Montgomery Bar Association.
County Jury Commissioner
Andrea Baptiste for County Jury Commissioner —website
A lifetime Montgomery County resident, Andrea Baptiste grew up in Norristown, attended local schools and earned a BA degree in History from Marietta College in Marietta, Ohio. She holds a Series 7 Financial Securities License and an Associate’s Degree in Paralegal Studies from Johnson & Wales University, in Providence. RI. She is a member of the Montgomery County PA Democrats State Committee delegation, Southeast Caucus Secretary, and a member of the Executive Committee. Andrea is the Board Chair of Montgomery County Democratic Women’s Leadership Initiative and the Municipal Chair for Collegeville Democrats.
Andrea has over 20 years’ experience in the commercial real estate, retail sectors and financial sectors, providing her with the valuable skills of understanding and anticipating peoples’ needs, forecasting, and balancing budgets, understanding of the financial markets, assessing fundraising needs and developing plans to do so.
Andrea ran for and won a seat as the only Democrat on the Collegeville Borough Council in 2007. She served a four-year term and worked tirelessly using her knowledge of business, construction, and commercial real estate industries to chair the Borough’s Business Liaison Committee, chair the Parks and Recreation Committee and was a member of the Finance Committee.
In 2017, as Municipal Chair of Collegeville Democrats, she guided a successful campaign for Borough Council to taking a four-seat majority of Council and secured the mayor’s office for a Democratic candidate for the first-time ever since the Borough was incorporated in 1896. The next Borough Council election cycle in 2019 brought another three-seat victory for Collegeville Democrats flipping Borough Hall to the current seven-seat majority.
Andrea has years of experience in both the private and public sector, which has provided her with an array of skills that make her uniquely capable of serving Montgomery County.
Statewide Judge Candidates for 2025
Brandon Neuman for State Judge of the Superior Court: website
A Judge in his 8th year on the Washington County Court of Common Pleas, Judge Neuman currently presides primarily over Civil and Veteran’s Specialty Court, along with prior experience presiding over Criminal and Family Law matters.
Prior to taking the bench Judge Neuman was elected to four terms to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. During his service to the people as a State Legislator, he authored legislation to reform the processing of rape kits, which would end the backlog. This protects victims and ensures criminals are quickly brought to justice.
Neuman also served on the House Judiciary Committee, Pennsylvania Commission on Crime Delinquency, Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing, Chair of the Offense-Related Guidelines Review Subcommittee, as well as Interstate Commission for Juveniles.
Before being elected to the state legislature, Neuman was a trial lawyer handling complex civil litigation and representing victims who have been neglected or abused in nursing homes.
A lifelong resident of Washington County, he is a proud class of 2000 graduate of Canon McMillan. Judge Neuman earned his Undergraduate Degree at the University of Richmond and Juris Doctorate at Duquesne University Kline School of Law. Judge Neuman credits much of his success to the foundation built in Washington County.
Judge Brandon Neuman and his wife Carrie continue to live in Washington County, where they are raising their four children, Josephine, Abraham, Claire, and Violet, and their two dogs, Macie and Daisy..
Stella Tsai for State Judge of the Commonwealth Court — website
I’ve dedicated my career to upholding justice and ensuring fairness within Philadelphia’s legal system. Currently serving as a Judge of the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas since August 2016, I am honored to run for election to the Commonwealth Court in 2025. My extensive experience across the Criminal, Civil, Orphans’ Court, and Family Court Divisions has equipped me with the skills and insights necessary to address the complex social, economic, and governmental issues facing our Commonwealth.
Born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to immigrant parents who sought political and personal freedom in the United States, I developed a deep appreciation and respect for our democracy and the rule of law from an early age. I have called Philadelphia my home since 1985, where I have built a fulfilling life alongside my husband, Paul, and our two sons, Atticus and Emmett.