The Executive Committee of the Montgomery County Democratic Committee (MCDC) is “recommending” that the committee as a whole endorse Daniel Ronca for the one open seat on the Court of Common Pleas in the upcoming Democratic Primary on May 16. The Committee holds its endorsement convention on Thursday (February 16), and Ronca is all but guaranteed to be their choice for the judiciary position. He also all but guaranteed to win the primary (May 16) and the general election (November 7).
But Ronca is highly recommended by the Bar Association. What’s going on here?
This is the third time Ronca has sought endorsement by MCDC. He has been rated Highly Recommended by the Montgomery County Bar Association all three times.
In 2019, MCDC bypassed Ronca and instead, gave their endorsement to Melissa Schwartz Sterling and Henry S. Hilles, even though they were both only rated as recommended. They were both elected and are now serving on the court.
Similarly, in 2021 MCDC endorsed A. Nicole Tate-Phillips who was given a lesser recommendation by the Bar Association. She was also elected and is now a judge.
In 2017 and in 2015 MCDC also chose candidates other than those who were most highly recommended by the Bar Association.