Attorney Bill Burke, Port Carbon, a Republican, will be Schuylkill County’s newest Judge in the Court of Common Pleas.
He defeated Democrat Mike O’Pake, who is the county’s District Attorney, in the General Election that concluded on Tuesday night.
The final vote tally shows Burke taking 58% of the vote to O’Pake’s 42%. More than 33,000 votes were cast in the General Election for this race.
“I’m exhausted but exhilarated,” Burke told Coal Region Canary on Tuesday night. “It was a family venture.
“Through the campaign, meeting so many people, I learned how to best serve them,” he added. “I’d like to thank them for their confidence in me,” he added.
Early returns on Tuesday had this as a much closer race, initially. But Burke pulled away as the night crept on, ultimately rolling to a rather convincing victory. Burke enjoyed the same success many other Republicans across Schuylkill County saw during this election cycle.
O’Pake knew he had an uphill battle, and said the results of the election were “disappointing.”
“I thought my role as the DA and the job I’ve done would carry the day,” O’Pake said. “I’m proud that I ran a good, honest campaign.”
O’Pake said judicial races are expected to be conducted using a high ethical standard.
“The reason is because judges should have integrity,” O’Pake said. “I can wake up tomorrow morning knowing that my integrity is intact.”
| Top 1 wins | Votes (100% in) |
|---|---|
| Bill Burke (R) | 19576 |
| Michael A. O'Pake (D) | 14089 |
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