EASTON, Pa. — The Northampton County judge race ended predictably Tuesday as Republican Nancy Aaroe and Democrat Brian Panella locked up their parties' nominations.
- Panella and Aaroe were cross-filed on the Democratic and Republican tickets
- Panella won the Democratic nomination; Aaroe won on the GOP ticket
- They will square off again in the general election to replace the judgeship opened by the retirement of Stephen Baratta
The two candidates cross-filed for judge of Northampton County Court of Common Pleas, but the local Democratic and Republican committees made clear who backed whom.
With mail-in ballots counted and 100 percent of precincts reporting late Tuesday, Panella captured 57 percent of the vote in the Democratic primary, with 13,090 votes to Aaroe's 9,948. On the Republican ticket, Aaroe won 70 percent of the vote, with 10,929 votes to Panella's 4,719, according to unofficial returns.
The two will now head to the November ballot, where they'll compete for the vacancy created by former Judge Stephen Baratta's December retirement.
Both Aaroe and Panella have portrayed the race as one of experience.
Without mentioning her opponent by name, Aaroe, 58, has noted Panella would not be eligible to run for judge in New York or New Jersey because he lacks 10 years of experience as an attorney. She has practiced law for 32 years with stints as a public defender, assistant district attorney and civil litigator.
Panella, however, hasdefended his resume, noting his work to establish the West Easton Police Department and as a custody master in both Lehigh and Northampton counties. He currently serves as solicitor to Bethlehem and Northampton Borough.
Aaroe and Panella may be better known for their last names than their candidacies.
Panella is the son of Jack Panella, a former Northampton County judge who is retiring as president judge of the Pennsylvania Superior Court this year. Aaroe is married to "DUI Guy" Paul Aaroe, a prominent local attorney who has built his practice around representing defendants charged with drunken driving.
