Girardi, Karaica seek Lower Valley district judge seat
The former presidents of Springdale and Cheswick borough councils will square off in their pursuit of the district judge’s seat in the Lower Valley.
Michael Girardi, 37, of Cheswick and Mitchell Karaica, 51, of Springdale are seeking to replace David Sosovicka, who is not seeking reelection.
Judicial elections are nonpartisan, and both candidates cross-filed in the May primary. Girardi secured the Republican Party’s nomination, and Karaica received the Democratic Party’s nod.
Karaica, who served as Springdale’s council president, works as a control room operator at Brunot Island Power Station.
“(The office) has been run well for the last 24 years, and I plan on keeping the same hours and the same staff,” Karaica said. “This is the first, and sometimes the only, interaction that most people have with the criminal justice system, so I feel that being fair, impartial, objective and compassionate goes a long way to district judge level.”
Girardi, who was Cheswick’s council president, works as an attorney in Lower Burrell and teaches law at Penn State New Kensington.
“The role handles incredibly complex legal issues, and it’s vitally important that we have a judge that has legal experience,” Girardi said. “As a law school graduate, attorney and professor, I believe I have the experience needed to get it right.”
Karaica said he has been a union officer for more than 20 years. That experience has enabled him to hone skills in contract negotiation, decision-making and problem solving, which can transfer well into the role of district judge, he said. He said he took the district judge course in Harrisburg in June and passed the exam on the first attempt.
“I truly believe that the qualifications on paper only take you so far for these positions. It is more than just the qualifications for me. I have the character needed (to) uphold the integrity of the office along with an authentic commitment to the community that I think are both essential for success in this role,” Karaica said.
Girardi earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law in 2012. He said his background in law and his experience on Cheswick Council make him qualified for the position. He led the Allegheny Valley Regional Police Department merger and coordinated the creation of the Agan Park Joint Recreation Board.
“I have spent 19 years in pursuit to where I am today in the legal world, and I believe that makes me well-suited to take on this new demanding role in the judiciary,” Girardi said.
Both men said, if elected, they plan on being full-time judges.
District Court 05-3-03 covers Cheswick, Frazer, Harmar, Springdale and Springdale Township.
The seat is a six-year term.
Kellen Stepler is a TribLive reporter covering the Allegheny Valley and Burrell school districts and surrounding areas. He joined the Trib in April 2023. He can be reached at kstepler@triblive.com.
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