COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
-
SARAH BLACK, Democrat
Judge, Court of Common PleasWhile maintaining full-time employment as a child support conciliator, Sarah Black attended Widener University School of Law at night. She also clerked for two civil firms specializing in personal injury and contractual litigation. Upon graduation, she worked as a family law sole practitioner. She has been a public defender in Pennsylvania for fourteen years, the last nine of which have been at the Chester County Public Defender’s Office. As a practicing trial attorney appearing before judges and juries, certified to defend death penalty cases, she appears in the courtroom daily providing zealous advocacy to marginalized populations. She is heavily involved in community service projects in her hometown of West Chester, where she resides with her husband, Paul, and rescue dog, Jack.
-
DEB RYAN, Democrat
Judge, Court of Common PleasDeb Ryan has dedicated her entire 24-year career as an attorney to public service as a prosecutor, advocate for children, and as District Attorney. In 2019, she was elected as the first woman and first Democrat DA in our county’s history. Deb has successfully handled thousands of cases in the Court of Common Pleas including homicides, child abuse, domestic violence, and sexual assaults. As a judge, she will be committed to the integrity of the courts, the protection of individual rights, and the due process of law.
-
FREDDA MADDOX, Democrat
Judge, Court of Common PleasWith a legacy of serving the Chester County community, Sheriff Maddox has protected our families and has been a tireless advocate fighting for the legal rights of marginalized individuals for more than 25 years. Fredda has represented the accused and the accuser, the abused and the abuser, the privileged and the poor equally and provides a rare, balanced perspective of the court to provide the fairness, compassion and experience needed as a Judge.
-
NICOLE FORZATO, Democrat
Judge, Court of Common PleasJudge Nicole Forzato is serving on the Court of Common Pleas, after being appointed to the bench by Governor Wolf in 2022. Before her appointment, Judge Forzato was the first female and first democrat chief legal officer of Chester County. During her over twenty year legal career, she gained extensive litigation experience in civil, criminal and orphans court matters. She worked alongside Governor Shapiro for eight years in different roles including as a Senior Deputy Attorney General.
-
THOMAS (TIP) MCCABE, Democrat
Judge, Court of Common PleasThomas (Tip) McCabe focused his law practice in Chester County, first as an Assistant Public Defender, and later as court appointed counsel for the indigent. As a private practitioner, he has handled matters ranging from civil litigation, landlord/tenant matters, guardianships, land use and municipal law, juvenile law, appellate law, and pro bono custody matters through the Chester County Bar Association’s Access to Justice Program. Thomas served as Solicitor for the Elk Township Zoning Hearing Board and as an Arbitration Panel Member deciding civil matters less than $50,000.00. He is Chair of CCBA Criminal Defense Section, and Co-Chair of CCBA Civil Litigation Section.
Thomas wants to bring his broad legal experience, and Public Defender perspective to continue to serve the people of Chester County as Court of Common Pleas Judge. He lives in Newlin Township with his wife and two daughters.
COUNTY ROW OFFICES
-
MARIAN MOSKOWITZ, Democrat
Chester County CommissionerMarian Moskowitz has dedicated her career to growing and strengthening Chester County. After four decades as a responsible local developer, she ran for Commissioner in 2019 because she believes that everyone deserves to live in a safe and prosperous community. As the first Democratic Chairwoman of the County Board of Commissioners, she’s delivered real results for Chester County.
Under Marian’s leadership, Chester County now has the lowest unemployment rate in the region, our economy was ranked in the top 10 percent of High Performing Communities, and we were named the healthiest place to live in the state. From preserving our open space to investing in local infrastructure, Marian has shown up for the people of Chester County.
That’s because this has been Marian’s home for nearly 40 years, alongside her husband Dave, their five kids who they raised here, and their grandchildren. She’s been actively involved in the community, serving on the board of SEPTA, West Chester University, the Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority, the People’s Light Theater, and on the Chester County Economic Development Council as past chair. Governor Wolf also named her to the Board of Governors for the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.
-
JOSH MAXWELL, Democrat
Chester County CommissionerCommissioner Josh Maxwell leads with progressive values to advocate for working families, promote equality, and preserve the environment. As commissioner, his priorities have included the county’s first-ever employee group on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion; a groundbreaking community-centered, values-based budgeting process; creating a mobile mental health crisis unit; numerous climate and open space incentives; and more. A graduate of West Chester University and UPenn’s Fels Institute of Government, Josh lives in Downingtown with his wife, Blair.
-
CHRIS DE BARRENA-SAROBE, Democrat
District AttorneyChris started as a prosecutor at the Chester County DA’s Office in 2009, prosecuting a wide variety of cases. In 2015, he left the DA’s Office to become a federal prosecutor in Delaware. There he investigated and prosecuted social security fraud, high-level drug trafficking, kidnapping, and other violent offenses. Recently, Assistant United States Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. selected Chris and his team for the Criminal Division’s 2022 Distinguished Service Award, in recognition of their work on a cartel kidnapping case. A Temple Law graduate, Chris currently works at Bellwoar Kelly, LLP. He lives in Willistown with his wife and two daughters.
-
DEBBIE BOOKMAN, Democrat
Chester County ProthonotaryDebbie Bookman was sworn in on January 2020 as Prothonotary. Since taking office Debbie has extended passport services to evening hours. Debbie has placed staff in roles that best suit their strength and interest, expanded bilingual services and increased diversity from 4% to 18%. Debbie prides herself on providing excellent community and customer services. She believes that when you are serving others it is often necessary to go the extra mile whenever possible. Customer service ultimately is the core of the Prothonotary’ s Office.
-
DIANE O’DWYER, Democrat
Recorder of DeedsA resident of Uwchlan Township for 32 years, Diane O’Dwyer was sworn in as Acting Recorder of Deeds on December 1, 2022. Prior to that, she served as Deputy Recorder for 3 years. Diane has been an active member of CCDC since 2004 and is currently a Democratic State Committee Member. She is a Board Member of the Housing Partnership of Chester County. Diane is proud of the solid reputation her office has built for excellence in public service.
-
MICHELE VAUGHN, Democrat
Register of WillsMichele Vaughn is Regional Director for the Pennsylvania Federation of Democratic Women and Chair of the Chester County Democratic Women’s Leadership Initiative, founded in 2015 to bring the issues that concern women, organized labor and working families to the political forefront. She was CCDC Vice-Chair from 2000-06 and Chair from 2006-14, and an East Whiteland Township Supervisor from 1998-2003. She is the current Chester County Register of Wills.
The Register of Wills probates wills and appoints estate representatives for decedents who die with or without a will. Regardless of where the death occurred, the decedent MUST have been a legal resident of Chester County at the time of death. The Register of Wills also serves as an agent for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for filing and payment of inheritance taxes.
-
KEVIN DYKES, Democrat
Chester County SheriffKevin currently serves as Chief Deputy Sheriff of the Chester County Sheriff’s Office. With over 42 years of law enforcement experience and leadership training, he will continue to serve the community with strong ethical leadership, ensuring the public safety in our courthouse and government facilities.
The graduate of the FBI National Academy has previously served as Chief of Chester County Detectives, Pennsylvania State Trooper, advisory board member of DVCCC’s Coaching Boys Into Men program, and “Top Gun” instructor.