Trending
WARREN -- After a hard-fought campaign, Patricia Leopardi Knepp, a Warren area attorney who has been in private practice for 30 years, is poised to serve on the Warren Municipal Court bench.
With the win in Tuesday's primary election, she stands to became the first female municipal judge in Warren's history. She is so far unopposed this fall.
Leopardi Knepp received just over 52 percent of the vote compared to 47 percent for Traci Timko, the municipal court's prosecutor, according to unofficial and incomplete election night results.
"Patty is a very kind person, who I believe wants to serve honorably. I want to congratulate the winners tonight," Timko said. "I'm very disappointed in the outcome but I'm incredibly thankful for my family, my team and all of my supporters."
Leopardi Knepp's platform emphasized a commitment to fairness, being impartial and a deep understanding of the law. Throughout the campaign, she worked to connect with voters by attending community meetings and knocking on doors alongside her husband, Duane.
She could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
Leopardi Knepp has served as guardian ad litem for the Trumbull County Domestic / Juvenile Court, is a former assistant law director for Warren and, on occasion, she has served as Warren Municipal Court acting judge.
Working with the Residential Education Alternative and the Warren Workhouse to assist those with misdemeanor offenses afflicted by addiction, Leopardi Knepp is a former board member with the Infant of Prague Manor and past president and longtime supporter of the Trumbull County Humane Society.
She had called running for office a "longstanding thought" stemming from her time as acting judge with the municipal court.
Leopardi Knepp said she will ensure that individuals entering the courtroom understand the court system from pre- to post-litigation to better understand the effect a charge on their record can have.
In her efforts, she's hoping to intervene before "their life starts going down the wrong path."
Leopardi Knepp emphasized her "well-rounded qualifications" as a key difference between the two candidates. That includes civil and criminal in all court levels from municipal to appellate and federal court.