Attorney Thomas Babinsack announces bid for Highlands area district judge's seat

Attorney Thomas Babinsack has announced his bid for district justice in the office that serves Harrison, Tarentum, Brackenridge, Fawn and East Deer.

A lifelong resident of Harrison, Babinsack has a private law practice. He also serves as part-time business manager for the Guardian Angels Parish, which is part of the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh.

He will be vying for the office against incumbent Carolyn Saldari Bengel.

Magisterial district judges earn about $106,250 a year.

“I am running for magistrate to continue my service to the community,” he said. “I have a life full of experience helping others.”

A 1992 graduate of Highlands High School, Babinsack, 48, is a Marine Corps veteran who earned his law degree from Duquesne University.

He served as student manager of the university’s Veterans Clinic and as a parent advocate in Dependency Court. Babinsack also had an externship at the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office and Public Defender’s Office and holds an honors certificate for pro bono/public service at Duquesne.

“I thank God for giving me this opportunity,” Babinsack said. “I thank my wife, Barbara, and my family for their support on this journey.”

In the community, Babinsack gives back to youths as a Scout leader. A former Scoutmaster, Babinsack, was an Eagle Scout.

He is a life member of Highland Hose Volunteer Fire Department in Tarentum.

Babinsack gave a special shout-out to his mom, Patty, for “instilling in me the quality of selflessly serving others.

If elected, Babinsack said, “I will be true to the law, yet kind and fair to all.”