Published: November 04, 2009 01:22 pm      

Madam Judge

Linda Rovder Fleming will become the first woman to serve as a judge in the court of common pleas in Cambria County.

Congratulations to Fleming for this honor, and to Patrick Kiniry, who will join her as newcomers on the five-member bench.

Fleming said her historic victory brings “an awesome responsibility.”

After meeting with her prior to the election and endorsing her for a judgeship, we are convinced Fleming will be up to the challenge.

Cambria County voters had three solid candidates to consider – including third-place vote-getter Gary Jubas.

And we believe the voters chose wisely in sending Kiniry, the county district attorney and a long-time law veteran, and Fleming, with a wealth of experience in family law, to the bench.

Kiniry said that “the voters went for experience.”

Jubas showed true class in defeat, wishing the victors good luck. “I thought it was a good race,” he said. “ I knew it’d be a close race. I’m happy for (Fleming) and Pat. They pulled it out.”

Fleming won despite having no support from her own political party.

After she was advanced through the primaries because of Republican votes, Fleming was the only candidate who could not speak at Democratic rallies. That was despite the fact she is a registered Democrat.

We are pleased that she could overcome that setback to make history on Tuesday.

“I’m grateful to God for this blessing and grateful to my family and friends who worked so hard on my behalf,” Fleming said after results were final.

“I wasn't sure I could win without the support of the organized Democratic Party, but this proves a bipartisan grass-roots effort is enough to win.”

We expect that she has gained wisdom through this race that will serve her well as one of Cambria County’s two new judges in 2010.