Maria Battista

Recent Work History: Linkedin.com (see "Maria C. Battista, J.D., Ed.D.")

• Maria Battista (R) currently is Vice President for Federal and State Contracts with The Judge Group in Wayne, Pennsylvania. 
• From 2020-2023 "served as assistant general counsel for the departments of Health and State under former Govs. Tom Corbett, a Republican, and Tom Wolf, a Democrat. Battista also served as a contract specialist with the United States Department of Defense. “In that role, [Battisa] provided procurement weapon system support for submarines, carrier ships, cruisers, and destroyers, to help the warfighter with military readiness." (candidate questionnaire) 
• From 2018-2021 she served as the Director of Policy and Government Affairs for the Pennsylvania Coalition of Nurse Practitioners. 
• From 2011-2017 Battista "served as assistant general counsel for the departments of Health and State under former Govs. Tom Corbett, a Republican, and Tom Wolf, a Democrat." (spotlight.pa.org) During that time, she was a hearing examiner. “As a hearing examiner, [Battista] conducted administrative hearings and wrote formal decisions regarding the discipline of professional licensees. [Battista] also presided over hearings for various commonwealth agencies, including for the departments of corrections, education, health, military and veterans affairs, and banking and securities.”  (candidate questionnaire)

Education: see Linkedin.com (see "Maria C. Battista, J.D., Ed.D.")

• received Masters of Education from Westminster College (PA)
• received J.D. from Ohio Northern University.
• received a B.S. in Elementary Education and B.S. in Speech, Communication and Theatre from Clarion University of Pennsylvania 

Pennsylvania Bar Association, Judicial Evaluation Commission, rated Battista as "Not recommended for failure to participate."

Judicial Philosophy

• "Battista said it's important for judges to leave politics out of the judicial system and simply evaluate the law as it's written."
• "Even if the decision was ultimately decided against that particular individual, they would at least recognize that I gave them the fair opportunity to be heard, and it truly was equal justice under the law and I was impartial[.]"

From Battista's campaign website:

• "The opinions issued by our appellate courts have a far-reaching impact on each of our lives. My years of experience in civil, criminal, and administrative law make me uniquely qualified to serve on the Superior Court, and I humbly ask for your vote on Tuesday, November 7th."

Public statements

• When asked, "What is the main reason Pennsylvania voters should pick you?" Battista responded, "I am uniquely qualified to serve as a judge of the Superior Court. Pennsylvanians can trust my judicial temperament, my professional background, and my life experiences as I seek to ensure that equal justice under the law is afforded to all who appear before me. I will bring a fresh perspective to the court, and rely on my experience as an attorney, a prosecutor, an educator and a hearing examiner to fairly decide cases. My rural roots are also important and will bring geographic diversity to the court."
• When asked, "What would you say to voters regarding your plans to ensure the equal administration of justice for all people?" Battista responded, "I have seen as a practicing attorney, educator and mother how important our judicial system is and what happens when it breaks down. In 2014, I became a hearing examiner and issued hundreds of administrative decisions, impacting the lives of others. It is important to have judges who are fair and impartial and who uphold the law and constitution. I would be honored to serve in the capacity of a judge of the Superior Court, to provide equal justice under the law and to ensure that our laws and constitution are upheld as written. I believe it is a calling and higher duty to serve in this capacity."

Spotlight PA article