New County Row Officers Sworn In, Marking Democrats Return

Before a packed room, Bucks County’s newly elected row officers were inaugurated in Doylestown Tuesday morning.

For the first time in more than 40 years, several Democrats were sworn in to county row offices. The results of the election in November upset the GOP control in four of the five of the county’s row offices that were up for election.

District Attorney Matt Weintraub, who was appointed a little more than a year before the 2017 election, was the sole Republican to maintain their row office seat in the election.

Controller Neale Dougherty, Sheriff Milt Warrell, Recorder of Deeds Robin Robinson and Prothonotary Judi Reiss, all Democrats, took their oath of office as their peers looked on.

The swearing in was a who’s who in Bucks County politics with Democrats and Republicans both watching the inauguration.

Bucks County Commissioner Diane Ellis-Marseglia, the lone Democrat on the three person governing body, welcomed the new row officers and urged them to put Bucks Countians before politics.

She said Bucks County officials of both parties working together and putting governing above bickering could be a learning lesson to those in higher offices.

Reiss, a former Lower Makefield supervisor, was first to be sworn in with her family by her side.

“I want my job to be honorable,” said the new Prothonotary.

“I want to make sure our office is run smoothly and compassionately.”

Warrell, a retired Upper Southampton police officer who runs a contracting business in the Levittown area, was sworn in with deputies watching from the audience section. He told the room he plans to “change the sheriff’s department with the leadership it so badly needs.”

Weintraub, the lone Republican who took the oath Tuesday, thanked all those who have voted for and supported him.

In his more than a year in the appointed district attorney job, he handled many trying cases and gained support from both Democrats and Republicans over the months. He said he is thrilled to continue leading a “fantastic staff of professionals.” The district attorney also thanked his wife, kids, parents, brother and sister for their support to him.

Dougherty, the most recent New Hope-Solebury School Board president, joked that the elected controllers in office change but longtime employee Kim Dor

an remains in place.

Before taking the oath for the Recorder of Deeds position, Robinson served as Ellis-Marseglia assistant and praised the work of her former boss and Republican counterparts. She added she plans to work with all parties in her new position.

“It has been an honor and privilege to serve this county and Diane,” she said.

Ellis-Marseglia said the transition between the outgoing row officers and the newly elected officials has been ongoing since shortly after the election and the process was smooth.

The addition of Democrats in row offices is welcome news for John Cordisco, the chairperson of the Bucks County Democratic Committee. He told NewtownPANow.com that the candidates worked hard to win their seats.