Maria McLaughlin
Democrat | Pennsylvania
Candidate Profile
Activist
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Maria McLaughlin
Party
Democrat
Election Year
2021
Election
Supreme Court and Special Legislative
Race
Supreme Court Justice
Incumbent
No
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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Race
ENDORSEMENTS
LIBERAL (64)
AFSCME District Council 47
Allegheny Labor Council
Anita Astorino Kulik
Anthony Williams
Association of Pennsylvania State College & University Faculties
OTHER (4)
Chester County (PA) Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 11
Eddie Day Pashinski
Pam Snyder
Teamsters Joint Council No. 40
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2011)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (4)
Angel Cruz (2011)
Democratic Women's Groups (2021)
Local, County, and District Democratic Organizations (2021)
Stonewall Democrats (2021)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (37)
American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (2021)
American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (2021)
American Federation of Teachers (2020)
Association of Pennsylvania State College & University Faculty (2021)
Communication Workers of America (2021)
OTHER INFORMATION
The Pennsylvania Bar Association gave Judge McLaughlin its highest rating in the primary elections.
See the American Family Association's voter guide on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
Quotes from Judge McLaughlin:
- "As Pride Month came to a close yesterday, it is only fitting that we recap some of the moments we had celebrating with friends across Pennsylvania this past month" (July 1, 2021)!
- “The black robe is mine. But it belongs to everyone in Pennsylvania" (March 18, 2021).
- "I will continue to represent ALL Pennysylvanians" (July 29, 2021).
Judge McLaughlin's endorsers have said:
- "She adjudicates according to the law, but she is always mindful that everyone who comes in front of her is a human being." - Pennsylvania Democratic Party
- “Her understanding of the law and focus on improving the justice system makes her the ideal state Supreme Court Justice.” - Ryan Bizarro
- "Judge McLaughlin has a proven track record of being ethical, fair, and deeply committed to using the law to make life better for those on the margins." - Malcolm Kenyatta
- "Judge McLaughlin is an extremely ethical, qualified, and well-respected Judge, who has always stood with working families and communities of color in our city and throughout the Commonwealth.” - Ryan Boyer
QUESTIONNAIRE
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
What role (if any) does a judge have in maintaining the separation of church and state?
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Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
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VALUES
In light of the U.S. Supreme Court decision Bostock v. Clayton County, which justice’s opinion most closely aligns with your opinion of whether the protections of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 should be extended to the LGBTQ community?
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Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality that is necessary for our system of limited government.
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George Washington's comment that “Religion and morality are the essential pillars of civil society” is still true today.
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Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
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What types of pro bono work have you done?
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ABOUT YOU
I voted in these primaries and general elections:
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Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
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What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
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Why should the voters choose you?
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JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
Justices should not interpret the federal and state constitutions as living documents, but should use a textualist and originalist approach to interpretation.
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What is the proper use of legislative history in interpreting statutory law?
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Which current or past U.S. Supreme Court justice best reflects your judicial philosophy?
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How should a court review claims by the government that individual rights must be curtailed during an emergency such as a pandemic?
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When should a judge overturn past court decisions?
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How should a judge determine which rights are protected by the Constitution even though they are not specifically mentioned?
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What legal principles should a court consider when evaluating parents’ objection to their child obtaining medical procedures or drugs designed to affirm the child’s desired gender?
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Would you describe your judicial philosophy as originalist, living constitutionalist, or something else?
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