The Bucks County Democratic Committee
The Bucks County Democratic Committee

Candidates

Meet the Democratic candidates who will be on the ballot in Bucks County this year

Bucks Democrats' Unanimously Endorsed Candidates

Bucks County Court of Common Pleas

Linda Bobrin for Register of Wills

Linda Bobrin

About Linda

Linda Bobrin has lived in Newtown Township over 35 years and served as Township supervisor prior to her election to county office.  In 2019, she was elected countywide as the Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans’ Court.  In that position, Linda is responsible for handling probates, collecting inheritance tax for the Commonwealth as well as issuing marriage licenses, handling Orphans’ Court filings related to guardianships and adoptions and holding hearings on probate matters.  She has upgraded the practice in that office, making it more efficient and user friendly.  In addition, Linda has started both the Weddings and Wills for Heroes programs, bringing free weddings to veterans and first responders as well as working with the bar association to provide free wills and powers of attorney to veterans and first responders.  She instituted a free wedding program for Valentine’s Day, where members of the community can get married or renew their vows as well.  Linda was re-elected to fill that position in 2023.  Prior to holding office, Linda ran and worked at her own law firm in Newtown. Linda still lives in Newtown with her husband Neil.  Together they raised 3 sons, all of whom attended school in the Council Rock School District.  Linda is involved in the community, and with some community organizations as board member and is an avid knitter and crocheter, making blankets for hospice patients regularly.

Dawn Burke

About Dawn

Dawn DiDonato-Burke, Esquire has resided in Lower Makefield Township for the past 21 years with her husband of 29 years and their three children, Abigail (27), Sam (23) and Olivia (20). Dawn has over 32 years of legal experience including just under 11 years as a prosecutor in the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office (the 3rd largest prosecutor’s office in the country) under Lynn Abraham. Dawn currently is a partner in the Law Firm of DiDonato & Burke, LLC with offices located in Newtown and Philadelphia and is legal Counsel for Coldwell Banker Hearthside Realtors and Addison Wolfe Real Estate. Dawn graduated Villanova School of Law in 1992. Dawn is active in her community serving for the past 15 years as a mediator with the Bucks County Mortgage Diversion program which helps those in foreclosure attempt to remain in their home, she prepares divorces for legal aid, Dawn is a member of the Board of Directors of the Bucks County Housing Development Corporation which provides housing to qualified individuals, a Board member of the Bucks County Real Estate Institute, providing education in all areas to realtors and attorneys, as well as Solicitor for Comans, Inc., for over 15 years, which is a Nonprofit providing housing for mentally disabled individuals.

Dawn has served as Solicitor for the Bucks County Democratic Committee (BCDC) from 2020 to January 2025 and succeeded in winning several Preliminary Injunctions against Republican opponents. More recently, Dawn was appointed by the PA Dems as local counsel to handle the provisional ballot issue in the Casey campaign.

Amy Fitzpatrick

About Amy

Amy Fitzpatrick is a dedicated public servant, experienced attorney, and devoted mother. As the current County Solicitor, Amy is the chief civil legal officer for the county, overseeing a team of ten attorneys and managing all legal matters that impact local government. Her role requires her to navigate complex legal issues, uphold the law with integrity, and ensure that Bucks County operates efficiently and fairly for all residents.

Amy’s journey to Bucks County is one of resilience and purpose. Raised by a single mother without extended family nearby, she learned firsthand the values of hard work, perseverance, and community. Though not a Pennsylvania native, she and her husband, Mike, made the conscious decision to return to his roots in Bucks County, drawn to its strong sense of community, quality schools, and the safe environment it offers for their three children. For the past 15 years they have lived in Northampton Township, where their children, ages 11, 13, and 15, attend Council Rock schools. Mike grew up in Holland and attended Archbishop Wood. His deep ties to the area, along with their involvement in the St. Andrew parish and local sports leagues, have further strengthened their family’s connection to this incredible community.

Amy earned her law degree from the University of California College of the Law and her undergraduate degree from Connecticut College. Before entering public service, she worked at two national law firms, gaining extensive experience in civil litigation. However, her career path took a significant turn in 2020 after a life-altering experience nearly losing one of her children. This pivotal moment deepened her commitment to serving her community, leading her to transition from private practice to public service.

As County Solicitor, Amy has spent the past four and a half years working to protect taxpayer dollars, strengthen government accountability, and ensure that Bucks County’s legal affairs are handled with the highest ethical standards. Through this work, she has developed a deep understanding of the challenges facing residents, the legal system’s role in addressing those challenges, and how government can be a force for good when guided by fairness, integrity, and common sense.

Amy believes that justice should be applied equally and without bias. If elected judge, she will bring her extensive legal experience, strong moral compass, and deep commitment to the rule of law to the bench. She is dedicated to keeping our community safe, ensuring fair and impartial rulings, and treating every individual who enters her courtroom with dignity and respect. With a steadfast belief in the values of integrity, fairness, and compassion, Amy Fitzpatrick is ready to serve Bucks County as a judge who upholds the law while always keeping the best interests of the community at heart.

Tiffany Thomas-Smith

About Tiffany

With over 20 years of experience advocating for children and families in Pennsylvania, Tiffany
Thomas-Smith is dedicated to delivering compassionate justice. Her extensive background in
Family Law has equipped her with the skills to handle complex matters such as divorce cases,
custody and support, adoption, protection from abuse, and dependency. Tiffany is also trained in
mediation and collaborative divorce, ensuring she brings thoughtful solutions to difficult
situations.

Legal Experience
• Chair of the Adoption and Family Law Department at Curtin & Heefner LLP.
• Founded The Thomas Smith Firm, P.C. to continue her commitment to family law.
• Served as Law Clerk to the Honorable Thomas S. Smith, J.S.C., in the Superior Court of
New Jersey.
• She started her legal career as a public defender with the Defender Association of
Philadelphia.
• Graduate of Duke University and earned her Juris Doctorate from Howard University
School of Law.

Community and Civic Involvement
• Active member and former Board of Directors member of the Bucks County Bar
Association.
• Serves on the Board of Directors for United Way of Bucks County.
• Member of the American Inns of Court, promoting excellence in the legal profession.
• Former Solicitor for Bucks County Democratic Committee.
• Former Board of Directors member for Saint Mary Medical Center Advisory Board.
• Former Board of Directors member for the Healing Consciousness Foundation,
supporting breast cancer “thrivers.”

Personal Life

Tiffany is the proud mother of two sons — one serving in the Marines and the other a student-
athlete. Both are proud graduates of Pennsbury High School.

Tiffany Thomas-Smith will serve with experience, dedication, and compassionate justice for all.

Bucks County Row Offices

Joe Khan

District Attorney
Joe Khan has served as a county prosecutor, federal prosecutor, and county solicitor for Bucks County. As Bucks County Solicitor, he was recognized as Pennsylvania’s Outstanding Solicitor and Government Lawyer of the Year and led the first county lawsuit against Tik Tok and other social media giants for targeting kids. He is currently a partner and appellate section co-chair at Curtin & Heefner. Khan raises his two sons in Doylestown, where he has served as a Central Bucks School District volunteer and a coach for youth sports.

Danny Ceisler

Sheriff
Danny Ceisler is an experienced public safety leader who has served our community and nation in combat zones, courtrooms, and capitols. Ceisler served on the Special Operations Counter-Terorism Task Force in Afghanistan, is a veteran of three Crisis Management Teams at the Pentagon, and served as a senior public safety official in Governor Shapiro’s administration. Ceisler currently co-owns a brewery and pub, volunteers with the Bristol’s Third District Volunteer Fire Company, and resides in Bristol Borough with his wife Helen.
Controller

Neale Dougherty previously served as Bucks County Controller from 2018 to 2022, where he maintained financial oversight of the $500 million county budget. Dougherty was also elected to the New Hope-Solebury School board 2013, where he both chaired the Finance Committee and was elected School Board President. Dougherty moved to Doylestown after graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, working in finance and commercial insurance, and currently resides in Solebury with his wife, Dr. Lorraine Dougherty, and children.

Recorder of Deeds

Robin Robinson previously served as Recorder of Deeds from 2018 to 2022, where she spearheaded a historic Deed Book Restoration Project by maintaining Bucks County property records through the restoration of over 700 historic deeds found deteriorating in a county warehouse. Prior to holding the seat, Robinson served 10 years in the County Commissioners office. After her years in public service, Robinson worked as a licensed realtor, volunteers, and currently resides in Warwick Township with her two children and rescue cat, Baby Harriet.

Prothonotary

Donna Petrecco was called to run for office after a close friend lost their niece in the 2018 Parkland shooting. Recognizing the importance of local government, Petrecco has since taken on several important leadership roles, including Vice Chair for the Bucks County Housing Authority, board member of the Pennsbury school board, board member of the Historic Preservation Committee of Falls Township, and Deputy Chair of Membership of the Falls Township Democrats. Petrecco currently resides in Falls Township with her husband and two daughters.

To learn more about your Democratic candidates and to hear from them directly, be sure to attend the meetings of your local Democratic organization