Long-time Tyrone judge Fred Miller hopes to get a call-up to the big leagues in November.

Miller, who has been the district magistrate in northern Blair County for the past 21 years, is one of three candidates running in the May 16 primary for two open seats on the Blair County Court of Common Pleas.

In Pennsylvania, district magistrates like Miller are the first level of the state court system. They handle smaller civil cases and summary offenses that do not require a jury trial, like traffic violations, disorderly conduct, truancy, and underage drinking. They also decide if serious criminal cases go to the Court of Common Pleas.

Judges for the Court of Common Pleas, for which Miller is now running, are the Pennsylvania legal system’s main level, hearing all major civil and criminal cases as well as cases involving children and families. They also hear appeals that originate from the magisterial courts or from local and state governments.

The other two candidates running are attorney Joel Seelye of Hollidaysburg and attorney David Consiglio of Frankstown Township. All three are running on both the Democratic and Republican ballots.

The top two candidates in each primary will appear on the general election ballot in November.

Miller is a Tyrone native, a graduate of the Tyrone High School Class of 1988, and the only candidate in the judge race from northern Blair County.

“I was born and raised in Blair County. When I got out of law school I had opportunities to go to Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia but Blair County is where I wanted to come back to work, live and raise a family,” said Miller.

Miller received his undergraduate degree from Penn State University in finance and his law degree from the Penn State Dickenson School of Law.

Miller said he had a great experience growing up in Tyrone, playing basketball seven days a week and spending his summers at the Tyrone public swimming pool.

Miller said that he originally planned to go into corporate law, but got an opportunity to work for a judge in Centre County, which changed his career path.

“From there I went to private practice and did some criminal defense work…I was in the courtroom a good bit and I ended up getting appointed by the governor as the district judge here in northern Blair County and I’ve been fortunate to be here for the last 21 years,” said Miller in a podcast interview with the Eagle Eye.

Click the video link above to watch the entire conversation.

As a Court of Common Pleas judge, Miller said he will focus on fairness.

“When people come into the courtroom they have to know that as soon as they come in the courtroom door that they are going to get a fair hearing. We have to apply the law. It’s not my job to make the law, we interpret it as the court system,” said Miller.

When asked what are the biggest issues facing the county courts today, Miller cited drug and alcohol addiction and mental health issues.

“A significant if not overwhelming number of the people we encounter in the criminal justice system have drug and alcohol or mental health issues, so those are issues that we as a court system and a society need to work to address,” said Miller.

Miller said that his goals as a Blair County Judge would be to bring back the truancy court and establish a new veterans court.

When asked about issues specific to teens, Miller cited truancy as the major concern.

“We need kids to attend school, graduate, grow up and become productive members of society. We have a lot of truancy citations, and it’s not unique to Tyrone,” said Miller.

Miler also said that tobacco use and vaping are issues that the courts often have to deal with involving teens.

Since his official announcement in January, Miller has been campaigning hard all over the county, meeting with citizens and local officials.

“Campaigning is like a second job…It’s a lot. I’m not home that often. Usually every night of the week I have an event or a meeting or some function,” said Miller.

Miller has received numerous endorsements from individuals and organizations around the county. Eleven police departments have endorsed him, including the Pennsylvania State Troopers Association, the Tyrone and Bellwood Police departments, as well as three local Teamsters unions.

Miller is also a member of the Blair County Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, the Northern Blair County Recreation Commission, Northern Blair County Kiwanis, and the Jaffa Shrine.

His wife Tracy is the school nurse at the Tyrone Area High School and his son Grant is currently an eighth-grade student at Tyrone Area Middle School.

“I love the county and it was an opportunity for me at the district judge level to give back to the community that was a wonderful place for me to grow up in,” said Miller.

Gallery • 9 Photos

Courtesy of Fred Miller for Judge

Miller announced his candidacy for Blair County judge in January.