Candidates for State Office
For Judge of the Superior Court - Maria Battista
For Judge of the Commonwealth Court - Matt Wolford
For Judge of the Commonwealth Court - Matt Wolford
Maria Battista has more than 15 years of legal experience in civil, criminal, and administrative law and is a former Assistant District Attorney. She is also a skilled mediator and public speaker.
As a Commonwealth attorney, Battista was counsel in the Departments of Health and State. For three years, Battista was a hearing examiner where she presided over hundreds of cases, including for the Department of Corrections.
Those who know her best have found her to have a strong legal mind, while still showing compassion. Battista has been a presenter for continuing legal education courses in mediation, oral arguments before appellate courts, and health care matters.
She plans to use her diverse legal and educational background to establish an office that is efficient, accountable, and transparent.
For Judge of the Commonwealth Court - Matt Wolford
For Judge of the Commonwealth Court - Matt Wolford
For Judge of the Commonwealth Court - Matt Wolford
Matt Wolford was born and raised in Erie, Pennsylvania, where he currently resides. He was taught the value of hard work at an early age, and he has been working non-stop since his first job at a local hardware store in his teens. He has demonstrated leadership skills since his youth. As a high school wrestler, he became co-captain of the team in his senior year. During college he worked as a lifeguard at Presque Isle State Park and was promoted to one of the supervisors of a crew of more than 70. He was a University Student Government Senator in college and has held leadership positions in state government and with the Pennsylvania Bar Association since becoming an attorney. With over three decades of experience practicing law, he is a proven legal expert with a deep understanding of government inner-workings and the law. Throughout his career, he has litigated cases in State and Federal courts, as well as government agency tribunals. He is running for judge of the Commonwealth Court to put his qualifications, years of experience, and demonstrated leadership skills to work for all Pennsylvanians. Matt is a small business owner who practices law as a solo practitioner in Erie, PA, where he represents a wide range of clients, including individuals, businesses, and organizations, such as oil and gas companies and trade associations, manufacturers, farmers, landowners, and others. Part of his practice focuses on environmental law, specifically defending clients against government enforcement actions and helping clients work through complex regulatory challenges. Another aspect of his practice focuses on fighting for private property rights, such as zoning disputes, easement disputes, and homeowners’ association matters. Before going into private practice, he served as an Assistant Counsel and Regional Counsel for the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (“DEP”). Prior to joining the DEP, he was a Deputy Attorney General and the attorney-in-charge of the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General (“OAG”), Environmental Crimes Section regional field office in Meadville, PA; and he also served as a special prosecutor for both the OAG and the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania. Before becoming a prosecutor, he served as a civil litigation attorney for the OAG’s Torts Litigation Section in Philadelphia, PA. Matt lectures regularly for the Pennsylvania Bar Institute (now part of the Pennsylvania Bar Association) and has lectured for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s National Enforcement Training Institute, the DEP, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, Pennsylvania’s Minor Judiciary, the Erie County Bar Association, and various other county bar associations and organizations. He also authored a chapter in the Pennsylvania Bar Institute’s The Law of Oil & Gas in Pennsylvania focusing on oil and gas development on public lands and was an Adjunct Professor at Gannon University in Erie, PA, for over 20 years. Matt is a longtime member of the Presque Isle State Park Complex Advisory Committee and the Presque Isle Partnership. He received his undergraduate degree from Penn State and his Juris Doctorate degree from the Temple University School of Law and is a member of the Erie County and Pennsylvania Bar Associations. He and his wife, Marian, are the proud parents of four children.
Candidates Running for County Office
Jan Krupinski for Prothonotary (incumbent)
Jan Krupinski for Prothonotary (incumbent)
Jan Krupinski for Prothonotary (incumbent)
Prothonotary Krupinski was elected to serve in 2016 and has faithfully served Susquehanna County. She is committed to maintaining pristine records and personally assisting our county's resident as they petition their concerns before the Court.
John Oliver for Sheriff
Jan Krupinski for Prothonotary (incumbent)
Jan Krupinski for Prothonotary (incumbent)
John is a veteran of the United States Navy, having served aboard a nuclear missile submarine during the Gulf War. After receiving an Honorable Discharge, John enrolled at the Pennsylvania State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice. Oliver enlisted in the Pennsylvania State Police in 1995. Upon graduating the police academy, John began his service to the residents of Susquehanna County when he was assigned to the Gibson barracks. Over the course of his career, John served our county as a Patrol Trooper and Criminal Investigator. Oliver retired at the rank of Corporal from PSP in 2016. Following retirement, John worked as a police officer at Coastal Carolina University before returning to Susquehanna County in 2017 to join the
Susquehanna County District Attorney’s Office as a Detective. In 2018, John was promoted to Chief County Detective, a position he continues to hold. Chief Oliver’s responsibilities include conducting complex criminal investigations, and assisting federal, state, and local law enforcement, along with other county agencies. While serving in this position Oliver saw a great need to protect the students and staff of our county school districts. He manages, coordinates, and supervises the county school districts’ Student Resource Officer Program.
“I am running to be the next Sheriff of Susquehanna County because I believe in
serving the community with integrity, accountability, and a commitment to justice. Together, we can build safe and strong communities where everyone is treated with fairness and respect,” John said. 2025 marks Oliver’s 30th year serving the public as a law enforcement professional. As your next Susquehanna County Sheriff, John is dedicated to using his three decades of
experience, knowledge, and service to continue representing and protecting the people of Susquehanna County by adhering to your Constitutional Rights of the United States of America, and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. John and his wife, Tonia, reside in Forest Lake Township with their three youngest children. The Olivers enjoy the outdoors and traveling with their adult children and their seven grandchildren.