Kevin M Dougherty
Democrat | Pennsylvania
Candidate Profile
Leans Activist
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Kevin M Dougherty
Party
Democrat
Election Year
2025
Election
PA General School Boards, Judicial & Municipal Races
Race
Supreme Court (retention of Dougherty)
Incumbent
Yes
Links
EDUCATION
Candidate did not provide
WORK & MILITARY
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AFFILIATIONS
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POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
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POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
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ENDORSEMENTS
LIBERAL (2)
Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania; Liberty City LGBT Democratic Club
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2011)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (7)
Democrat Women Organizations (2015); John Yudichak (2015); Local, County, and District Democratic Organizations (2015); PAC 1742 (2015); Sid Michaels Kavulich (2015)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (48)
American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (2015); American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (2015); American Federation of Teachers (2015); Association of Pennsylvania State College & University Faculty (2015); Bill Keller (2015)
OTHER INFORMATION
Fellow, Georgetown Public Policy Institute. (retaindougherty.org)
Justice Dougherty’s campaign highlights the “Statewide Behavioral Health Initiative,” which seeks to reform how courts handle cases involving mental health and substance use disorders.
Justice Dougherty launched the Autism and the Courts initiative in 2020 to make the judicial system more accessible and trauma-informed for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
In Allegheny Reprod. Health v. PA DHS (2024), Justice Dougherty agreed with the majority that abortion Providers could bring the case and that prior case, Fischer, should be overturned, but he argued that the majority went too far by deciding abortion is a fundamental right protected by the Pennsylvania Constitution and would have sent the case back to the lower court for further consideration.
For a more detailed summary, see case summary. Justice Dougherty partial concurrence and dissenting opinion.
In Commonwealth v. Barr (2021), Justice Dougherty agreed with the majority that the smell of marijuana alone cannot justify a car search, but he disagreed with their decision to reinstate the suppression order without the lower court reviewing the facts.
For a more detailed summary, see case summary.
In Pennsylvania Democratic Party v. Boockvar (2020) the Court considered statewide mail-in voting rules for the 2020 election. Justice Dougherty joined the majority which held that drop boxes and satellite offices were allowed, ballots could be counted if received three days late because of COVID-19, ballots without a secrecy envelope could be rejected, and poll watchers had to live in the county.
For a more detailed summary, see case summary.
In Commonwealth v. Alexander (2020), Philadelphia police searched the defendant's car without a warrant after smelling marijuana and found heroin. Justice Dougherty dissented, disagreeing with the majority's decision to overturn Commonwealth v. Gary and warned that Pennsylvania's Constitution should not be interpreted to give broader privacy protected than intended.
For a more detailed summary, see case summary.
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Was Dobbs v. Jackson rightly decided according to the text of the Constitution? Please explain.
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I support a right to accelerate ending a human life.
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Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.
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RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States.
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2ND AMENDMENT
The right to bear arms is fundamental and must be protected.
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OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
Which branch of government do you believe was intended to wield the most authority?
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How should the court address public health and individual freedoms in the time of a public health emergency?
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JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
Which current or past U.S. Supreme Court justice best reflects your judicial philosophy?
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Is there a separation of church and state in the Constitution? Please explain.
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Should courts address threats to religious liberty in the United States? If so, how?
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Was Obergefell v. Hodges rightly decided according to the text of the Constitution? Please explain.
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Was Bostock v. Clayton County rightly decided under the law? Please explain.
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I agree that “the custody, care and nurture of the child reside first in the parents, whose primary function and freedom include preparation for obligations the state can neither supply nor hinder.” (Troxel v. Granville, 530 U.S. 57, 65-66 (2000); quoting Prince v. Massachusetts, 321 U.S. 158, 166 (1944).
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What should a judge do when legislative texts and court precedents dictate different results?
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When should a judge overturn past court decisions?
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When, if ever, should a judge take popular opinion or the social views of the majority into consideration?
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Do you believe the meaning of the Constitution changes over time, absent changes through the amendment process of Article V?
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What do you believe is the single most important quality a judge should possess?
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If you are an incumbent judge, describe a recent instance in which you acted to preserve your judicial independence. If you are an aspiring judge, how do you plan to remain independent if elected to the bench?
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ABOUT YOU
What, if any, church or organizations do you belong to?
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I voted in these primaries and general elections:
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Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
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Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
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Would you describe your judicial philosophy as originalist, living constitutionalist, or something else? Please explain.
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VALUES
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
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What is your view of parental rights regarding the upbringing of children, specifically education and sexual "identity"?
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I support "gender identity" as a specially protected class. Please explain.
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What do you believe to be true about the human condition?
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EQUALITY
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT).
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