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2 running for district judge in western Lycoming County

While two magisterial district judges in the county are unopposed, there is a contest between two candidates vying for the 29th Judicial District which includes all of Jersey Shore and several surrounding townships.

Besides Jersey Shore, the district also includes the borough of Salladasburg and 13 townships: Anthony, Bastress, Brown, Cummings, Limestone, McHenry, Mifflin, Nippenose, Piatt, Pine, Porter, Watson and Woodward.

Voters living in the 29th Judicial District can choose between Denise L. Dieter, a resident of Porter Township, and Katelyn Ann Wasson. They are vying for a position being vacated by retiring District Judge Jerry Lepley.

“I am qualified by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. I am qualified to serve my community from day one if elected,” Wasson said.

“With an extensive background in business that spans three generations of my family, I have a unique skill-set that I can bring to this office,” Wasson said.

“Through my family’s and my own residential business, I have acquired much experience in landlord-tenant dealings, one of the most common types of cases a district magistrate sees,” she added.

Dieter, a 1990 graduate of Mansfield University with a law degree from Widener University School of Law in Harrisburg, has practiced law for 28 years. Her practice has spanned 28 counties in Pennsylvania.

“I have practiced before nearly every state agency in the commonwealth as well as appeals court in Pennsylvania and the Federal Court. I was admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States of America,” she said. “I also practiced before many federal agencies.”

When asked why she was running for district judge, Wasson replied: “I am deeply rooted in my community and wish to serve the people who helped shape me,” adding she will serve with integrity and honor.

Dieter said she wants to be a district judge because “I feel I can work within the community to integrate individuals and groups of people into the (justice) system,” who have felt excluded from such a system.

She said the roots for her campaign were planted years ago by a young girl who was on a softball team Dieter was coaching.

“I was giving her a ride home. She asked that I park down the street because her family hated cops and rich people. I sat and talked with her for a bit about that,” she said.

“I realized there was a segment in our community slipping through the cracks, which included children as well as adults and other people suffering from disabilities and mental health issues,” Dieter added.

“At that moment, I realized that at some point in my career, when I was able, I wanted to transition into public service and run for magisterial district judge,” she said, adding that she wants to help people outside the justice system to “understand that the legal system was not something for them to fear and dislike.”

Dieter has lived locally since 1986, and has seen a change and evolution in the community.

“I’ve seen the change in the mindset of people, and I believe the legal system is not something to fear, but to respect. I think I’m able to help with the mission to bring the community together.”

“I want people to be able to come into the office if they need help, if they need direction, if they need mentoring or if they need someone to reach out to for some kind of service. I certainly could help with that,” she added.

All district judge candidates are cross filing and seeking nomination by both major political parties.

Both District Judges Christian Frey and William Solomon are unopposed this year.

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