The following news release was sent to TalkErie News this morning:
This morning at 10:00, virtually via video, Judge Marshall Piccinini formally announced his intention to seek the Erie County judicial seat he was appointed to fill in 2019 by Governor Tom Wolf. Judge Piccinini filled the judicial seat vacated by Judge William R. Cunningham upon his retirement.
Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic and in accordance with all recommended CDC, state, and county guidelines, Piccinini said he did not believe it was appropriate to conduct a formal, in-person campaign announcement at this time.
Judge Piccinini was appointed by Tom Wolf; he was unanimously confirmed by the Pennsylvania Senate and he began his judicial service in Erie County on May 7, 2019. At the time of his appointment, Piccinini was an Assistant U.S. Attorney, serving as Chief, Erie Division for the Office of the United States Attorney, where, for twenty years he prosecuted all federal cases within Northwestern Pennsylvania, including the Collar Bomb (Pizza Bomber) case, many high level drug trafficking organizations, gun crimes, crimes of violence, financial fraud, and environmental crimes. Prior to that he served as an Erie County Deputy District Attorney, and he began his career in the United States Army, serving as a Judge Advocate and Army Trial Counsel.
According to Pennsylvania Senator Dan Laughlin (R, PA-49), Piccinini’s selection was an excellent choice. “My decision to recommend and confirm the nomination of Marshall Piccinini to fill the judicial vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Cunningham was one of the easiest I have ever made as a Pennsylvania State Senator. Judge Piccinini has dedicated his professional career to the law, serving the public with honor and distinction,” Laughlin said. “His expertise and experience has been validated by his approval by Governor Tom Wolf and his unanimous, bipartisan approval by the entire Pennsylvania Senate,” he said. Laughlin noted that the people of Erie County have been well served by Judge Piccinini since his appointment to the bench. “While he was already a highly skilled prosecutor, he has gained extensive, real world courtroom experience in all aspects of the law, and I believe we will all benefit from having him on the bench as a Judge of the Erie County Common Pleas for the next decade,” Laughlin said.
Piccinini said he has had an opportunity to preside over every type of case in the 19 months since his appointment and he believes that experience is crucial for any judicial candidate.
He said he understands that he is in a unique position as a sitting judge who must now campaign to retain the seat to which he was appointed. “I am running because I believe I have much to offer in service to the people of Erie County. I am the only candidate who has actual experience as a judge. That experience, combined with my more than 30 years in the courtroom as the Chief Federal Prosecutor in Erie, as an Erie County Deputy District Attorney, and as an Army Judge Advocate, makes me uniquely qualified to continue my service on the bench, in the Erie County Court of Common Pleas,” he said.
Piccinini is a life-long Pennsylvanian, who resides in Edinboro, with his wife Carrie. They have three adult children.
For more information on Judge Marshall Piccinini, please visit piccinini4judge.com.
