When Indiana County President Judge William Martin leaves the bench at the beginning of next year, it will be Governor Tom Wolf’s decision on who replaces him. That appointee will finish Martin’s term, which will run the balance of the year. The Common Pleas Court seat will be on next November’s ballot.
Martin has filed notice that he will retire effective January 4th after serving on the bench for 24-and-a-half years. He was appointed in June of 1991 to replace retiring Judge Robert Earley and was named President Judge in 1998. Previously, the 66-year-old had served as District Attorney for two terms. He has applied for senior judge status with the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts, which would enable him to accept assignments to hear cases in any Pennsylvania county.
Indiana County’s other two Common Pleas Court judges are Thomas Bianco and Michael Clark. Bianco’s first term on the bench expires next year and he will be eligible for a retention vote on a second term, with no opposition. Judge Clark was elected to his first ten-year term in 2017. Judge Martin could still preside over Indiana County cases if asked by the court.
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