Four candidates have cross-filed on the ballot in the May 16 Municipal Primary Election to replace District Judge Rod Beck, who decided not to seek re-election in Magisterial District 31-3-01.

Robert “Rob” W. Williams says he was instrumental in the initial building of the “Judicial Network” and “Video Arraignment” systems for Lehigh County.

As district judge, Williams says he will bring both technical and compassionate experience to the judgeship.

He has served Lehigh County for 23 years in various positions including IT professional, a position he currently holds at Lehigh Career and Technical Institute, Schnecksville.

Williams says he has a passion for people in the community and a strong moral and work ethic, always going the extra mile.

He has attended heroin and opioid addiction and abuse education through the Pennsylvania State Police, accumulating many hours of accreditation in a gamut of social services and specialized training and spending numerous hours attending magistrate courtroom proceedings.

Williams is certified by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Minor Judicial Education Board to perform the duties of district judge and he is ready and willing to serve.

Lehigh County Commissioner Tom Creighton III has also thrown his hat into the ring for district judge.

Creighton first served as a Lynn Township supervisor for six years then as a county commissioner, now in his eighth year.

He presently is the chairman of the Judicial and Corrections Committee of the county board of commissioners.

Creighton is a legislative aide for state Rep. Gary Day, R-187th.

“It has truly been a great honor to serve in these positions and help our community grow and flourish,” Creighton said.

Creighton says he loves being a leader and the voice of the people by listening to issues that affect the community.

“The gravity of being a magisterial district judge is an important one because this is the front line to putting the proper criminals in jail or releasing them back in to the community,” Creighton says. “That is why the principles of honesty, integrity and sound judgment are the guiding principles of my campaign.

“I will work hard with our local law enforcement to ensure we continue to make our community a safe place to raise our families in.”

Creighton says he looks forward to campaigning and meeting as many people as possible.

Creighton completed the course of instruction and passed the examination required by the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in September 2016.

“I am qualified to perform the duties of a magisterial district judge,” Creighton said. “I can serve immediately upon being elected.”

Preston S. O’Connor is also seeking a seat on the bench in District 31-3-01.

O’Connor served as a Whitehall Township police officer for 19-and-a-half years before retiring in 2015.

“My duties included patrolman, field training officer, commercial vehicle enforcement, and use of force and firearms instructor,” O’Connor says. “I also am a former Lehigh County detective at the Lehigh County DUI Center.

“My extensive work experience, coupled with my continuous law enforcement education and training, has given me the practical knowledge, understanding and skill to apply the law correctly and make fair and impartial decisions.”

A U.S. Army veteran, O’Connor is retired from the Pennsylvania Army National Guard.

O’Connor is lifelong resident of Lehigh County.

“My ancestors first settled in Allentown in the 1700s, fought in the Revolutionary War, and built historic Trout Hall in Allentown,” O’Connor says. “I have deep roots in Lehigh County and sincerely care about the safety of our community and our families.

O’Connor lives in Washington Township with his wife and two sons.

“My lifetime of practical experience paired with the discipline and dedication of a soldier makes me, Preston S. O’Connor, the best candidate for magisterial district judge,” O’Connor said.

According to information provided to the Lehigh County League of Women Voters, Angelique Papay Bailey of Washington Township is the fourth individual seeking election as district judge.

A graduate of Northern Lehigh School District, she has a Bachelor of Arts degree from East Stroudsburg University, in political science and communications, and a juris doctorate from Penn State, Dickinson School of Law in 2000.

An attorney, she was an arbitrator in Lehigh County for two years; an American Bar Association Pro Bono Military Project, volunteer attorney for four years, a Pennsylvania Innocence Project volunteer attorney for two years and a Northern Lehigh School Board director for two years.

“Judicial independence is the idea that judges must make decisions without factoring in how other branches of government will view, interpret or react to them,” Papay Bailey said. “The concept allows judges to remain neutral and fair when implementing the law.

“It is why, as a candidate, I am cross-filed and listed under both the Democratic and Republican sides of the ballot.

“A judge should be impartial and not come into the position with preconceived notions or biases.”

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District 31-3-01 includes Slatington and surrounding townships of Heidelberg, Lowhill, Lynn, Washington and Weisenberg.