Morffi Marks wins Lehigh County judge race on both ballots

Anna-Kristie Morffi Marks, a senior deputy district attorney in Lehigh County’s special victims unit and the only woman in Tuesday’s seven-way race for county judge, won on both the Democrat and Republican primary election ballots, unofficial results show.Like all the candidates vying for the seat formerly held by Judge Carol K. McGinley, who became a senior judge last year, Morffi Marks cross-filed. The Republican first-time candidate shot to an early lead on both sides and held on until the end.“I am humbled by the support I received from the people of Lehigh County,” Morffi Marks said. “I want to commend all of my opponents for running a respectful campaign. I look forward to working hard for all the people of Lehigh County to make sure justice is equally served for all.”It was a close race. With all 161 precincts reporting, just 415 votes separated Morffi Marks and Upper Milford attorney Tom Capehart, her closest competitor on the Republican side. On the Democratic side, the gap was a slimmer 346 votes separating her and Zachary Cohen, who finished second. All results are unofficial until county election officials certify them as valid. A third party or write-in candidate may also appear on the Nov. 5 ballot. In Pennsylvania, primaries are restricted to Democrat and Republican candidates.Morffi Marks has been a prosecutor for 12 years, handling primarily child endangerment, sexual exploitation of children and abuse cases. The 38-year-old mother of two is married to Whitehall Township police chief Michael Marks.The daughter of a Cuban immigrant, Morffi Marks campaigned on her ability to speak fluent Spanish, a skill she said would be helpful in Lehigh County, where 24.6% of residents are of Hispanic or Latino origin, according to the latest census report.After earning her bachelor’s in political science and Latin American studies at the University of Delaware, Morffi Marks got her law degree from the Touro Law Center in Long Island, N.Y.Morffi Marks helped establish the John Van Brakle Child Advocacy Center at the Lehigh Valley Children’s Hospital, and teaches the sexual assault nurse examiner course at Lehigh Valley Health Network.Outside of court, Morffi Marks teaches legal topics to cadets at the Allentown Police Academy, and presents sexting prevention presentations to local schools.Judges at the county level in Pennsylvania, officially called the Court of Common Pleas, serve 10-year terms. The salary is $180,299.Morning Call reporter Laurie Mason Schroeder can be reached at 610-820-6506 or lmason@mcall.com
Source: Morningcall