Rafferty announces run for judge

Posted by Rich Schwartzman on November 15, 2016

It’s only been a week since the 2016 election, but at least one person is already looking ahead to the May 2017 primary election.

Pocopson Township resident Sean C. Rafferty has announced his bid to run for district justice. Rafferty will crossfile as both a Democrat and a Republican for the primary. He hopes to replace retired Judge Daniel Maisano for District Court 15-3-04, which covers Kennett Square and Pocopson, Newlin, East Marlborough, Kennett, and Pennsbury townships. Maisano retired in January.

Rafferty, who’s lived in Pocopson Township for almost 25 years, does not have a law degree, but completed in June 2016 the Administrative Office of the Pennsylvania Courts Magisterial District Court Judge Certification Program and is certified as a magisterial district court judge.

A former police officer, he said he’s seen a number of other retired officers do well as district judges. Rafferty thinks one of the reasons is that there are lawyers who treat the role of district judge as a part-time job.

“This will be my full-time job,” he said. “This will be my only job.”

Rafferty’s background includes more than 25 years in law enforcement. He served as a special investigator for the state of Pennsylvania, and served with the Port Authority and Tredyffrin police departments. He has also been an undercover narcotics officer with the Camden County Prosecutor’s office while on loan from the Port Authority.

He holds a master’s degree in public administration from Widener University, a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from West Chester University, and an associate’s degree in administration of justice from Delaware County Community College. Additionally, he attended the Camden County and Montgomery County Police Academies and earned his certification as a police officer in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Rafferty was twice elected as vice-president and once president of the Tredyffrin Township Police Association.

About Rich Schwartzman

Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.