McCune, Scialabba elected to county court of common pleas
In a race that was essentially decided months ago, Butler County voters elected John Scialabba and Matthew McCune to two open 10-year seats on the Butler County Court of Common Pleas in the general election held Tuesday, Nov. 4.
McCune garnered 37,103 votes, or 51% of the vote, followed by Scialabba with 35,106 votes, or 48.2% of the vote, according to unofficial election results reported in Butler County Bureau of Elections summary reports. There were also 598 write-in votes.
“I plan to use the same energy and tenacity as a judge that I use currently in the courtroom as a litigator in working extremely hard and upholding the law and constitution and apply the law as written,” said Scialabba. “I take this position as Common Pleas judge extremely seriously.”
The county Court of Common Pleas is expanding to seven seats starting in 2026 as a result of Act 58 of 2023, which added a total of 11 new judge seats in 10 of Pennsylvania’s 60 judicial districts. Butler County’s 50th Judicial District was among those to be expanded.
A second open judge seat was opened with the coming retirement of current Judge Timothy McCune, Matthew’s father.
The younger McCune says he’s honored to continue his father’s legacy on the Butler County bench.
“It makes me proud, and I know he’s proud of it,” McCune said. “He has influenced me and taught me a lot about life and how to be a good person and how to respect people. So to be able to continue that part of the community trust is something I’m very proud of and look forward to.”
McCune and Scialabba advanced to the general election ballot after taking the top two positions on both the Democratic and Republican ballots in the April primary election. Both candidates cross-filed.
“Like I said in the primary, I was committed to following the law and treating people with respect,” McCune said. “I think that’s what the public deserves, and I think it’s what they want, and that’s what they’re going to get from me. And I’m honored to have that opportunity.”
“I'm very thankful for my family, friends, and team, and most importantly, the Butler County voters for giving me the opportunity to serve in this capacity,” Scialabba said. “I am grateful to the Butler County voters that have instilled the trust in me to make a difference in a community that I've grown up in.”
