Election Guide: Challenger Takes on Longtime Incumbent for Clerk of Courts

Marcus Mercante Staley (R)

Why are you running?

There is a precedent set that no person should occupy a single public office for decades. However, in offices without term limits this often becomes the norm, particularly in our county government. This is not the proper make up of a public office. Moreover, as for the Clerk of Courts office, my opponent has never had a qualified opponent. This is not democracy. For the first time in almost three decades, the voters will have a choice on Election Day. 

What makes you a strong candidate?

Unlike my opponent, I have years of private sector work experience. I have not spent 50 years in the court house, in the public sector. I have been working my way "up the ladder" from being a worker at Cal-U's college farm, to becoming the manager of the gym on campus and the director of the Intramural Sports Department. I have worked at PennDOT—summer employment while in college—to now being a professor of Political Science and Sociology at Robert Morris University, and a behavioral specialist consultant and mental health therapist right here in Washington County for over half a decade. I have a master's in Social Science and Criminal Justice, a bachelor's in Political Science and an associate's of Applied Science in Criminal Justice. I also have several other certifications, including ethics and legal issues. 

Do you want to change the office? If so, how?

The office is in much need of being brought up to speed into the 21st century.  Not only with technological upgrades, but with ending stagnated group-think mentality. The office must be made more efficient and effective to make it more productive and user-friendly. This has been stated by several lawyers and paralegals who I have spoken with. 

What are some of your goals you'd like to accomplish as Clerk of Courts?

The goals I have set to accomplish in my first term are to, first and foremost, introduce core values of ethics. The office is in real need of this, sadly, this has not been brought to the public's attention. Secondly, to implement proactive policies to create an office that is efficient, effective in its duties and one that is user-friendly to all who seeks the services offered by the Clerk of Courts.

Barbara Gibbs (D) 

Gibbs did not return messages seeking comment. See the attached document for more information on Gibbs—Washington County's Clerk of Courts since 1983.