Elections

Judi Reiss Drops Out Of Congressional Race


Prothonotary Judi Reiss being sworn in. Credit: Tom Sofield/NewtownPANow.com

Bucks County Prothonotary Judi Reiss has dropped out of the race for the First Congressional District.

Reiss, a Lower Makefield resident, was among the first Democrats to announce she was throwing her hat in the ring.

Below is her statement that was issued Monday morning:

“Over the past year, while running to serve you in the United States Congress, I have also continued to serve as Bucks County Prothonotary, a position in which I was elected to do by the people of this county. I am honored to hold that position. I have also continued to be a wife, mother and grandmother, no easy task. However, I feel I can no longer give each of these very important jobs my all, or provide each the attention they so rightfully deserve. So, today I announce that I am withdrawing my name from consideration to be the Democratic nominee for the 1st Congressional District of Pennsylvania.”

“I cannot express how truly grateful I am for all those who have pledged their support to my campaign. I believe there is still work to be done to protect the air, water, healthcare, education,  and economic security of every family in this district. I look forward to continuing to build upon my record of public service as Prothonotary and as an active member of our community. We must work together to provide a future full of opportunity for each other and our children.”

Democrats Dr. Christina Finello, Debra Wachspress, and Skylar Hurwitz remain in the primary race.

Judi Reiss outside her home in Lower Makefield.
Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com

Reiss said last July that she was running due to President Donald Trump’s actions and behavior and because she felt a “lack of representation” from Republican incumbent Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick.

Recounting attending Fitzpatrick’s lone town hall event in Bensalem several years ago, she said the limited number of participants and questions allowed pushed her to decide to run.

“You have to stand up for what you believe in,” Reiss said.

Reiss, her husband, and family were first thrust into the headlines when her son Joshua Reiss was killed at just 23 on the 102nd floor of the One World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. He was working at Cantor Fitzgerald and had talked to his mother the night before.

Reiss is a retired Trenton school teacher who had been a Lower Makefield supervisor before being elected prothonotary in 2017.


About the author

Tom Sofield

Tom Sofield has covered news in Bucks County for 12 years for both newspaper and online publications. Tom’s reporting has appeared locally, nationally, and internationally across several mediums. He is proud to report on news in the county where he lives and to have created a reliable publication that the community deserves.