I often joke that all former mayors deserved degrees in social work. My time in local government taught me a lot about what makes people tick, their struggles, their hopes and fears, and most importantly how to meet them where they are. Many people coming to court are often there because something bad happened to them, and it is not necessarily because they are bad people or through any fault of their own. Because of this, I take a holistic approach to my role as a district judge and will continue to do so if elected to the Court of Common Pleas.
Meet the Candidate
Welcome to the 2025 election season series ‘Political Q&A’ – interviews with candidates throughout Pennsylvania. Since 2013, we’ve published nearly 150 of these interviews. We use an email Q&A format to allow the candidates to speak directly to you, the readers.
Candidates can be anywhere in Pennsylvania running for any level of office. Please note that these are not necessarily endorsements, more of an opportunity for candidates to connect with the LGBTQ community, progressives neighbors, and others with an interest in Pennsylvania. If your candidate would like to participate, contact us pghlesbian at gmail dot com. We welcome candidates at all levels of government across the entire Commonwealth. We publish in the order that they are returned and will accept Q&A’s until Election Day.
Please note that Pennsylvania has over 500 school districts. We’d like to talk with candidates in any one of them. Tell your district’s story statewide.
Important to note that I do not edit the responses, including their framing of LGBTQ identities.
These Q&A’s are lengthy because there is a lot of ground to cover. This year, I created about 20 questions per candidate. This is and should be a deep dive because you deserve as much information as possible.
By participating in this Q&A series, candidates are saying that they
- are an LGBTQIA+ ally, specifically supporting equality and dignity for transgender persons
- identify as pro-choice
Matt’s campaign reached out to me in response to my call for Q&A participants. I appreciate that initiative. His history as a mayor, council member, and magistrate stood out to me. While I appreciated his in-depth thoughts on LGBTQ+ affairs, his response around minors seeking abortions without parental consent is a stark reminder why we need to ask probing questions aout how the courts function. This was something I knew, but not well. So I am a better informed person now.
Name: Matt Rudzki
Pronouns: he/him
Office Sought in This Election: Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas
How do you describe your identity? I identify as a straight, white, cis male, and as an ally and advocate for the LGBTQ+ community.
Tell us about your Allegheny County. What is a hidden gem most people might not know about?
Sharpsburg is the hidden gem! Nestled between the Allegheny River and a series of bluffs and straddled by the Highland Park and 62nd Street bridges, Sharpsburg has much to offer. From the Sharpsburg Community Library, numerous parks with great amenities, James Sharp Landing on the Allegheny, a newly constructed mile-long river trail that connects us to O’Hara and Aspinwall, Dancing Gnome and Hitchhiker breweries, Love, Katie Distilling, Redhawk Coffee, three art galleries, and a vibrant restaurant scene, we have something to offer everyone.
I believe some of the top priorities center around making sure that individuals who are lodged in the Allegheny County Jail are appropriately placed according to their gender identity and that members of the LGBTQ+ community, especially our trans- and non binary neighbors, have access to name changes.
Questions and Answers
What professional accomplishment gives you the most pride?
My time spent serving the Borough of Sharpsburg as a Councilor and later as mayor provided me with some of my favorite memories, valuable lessons, and greatest successes.
Sharpsburg is the classic western Pennsylvania river town. For many years, however, the moniker “river town” carried a negative connotation: run down, vacant properties, empty storefronts, no growth, and high crime rates. Sharpsburg fit the bill.
I had a vision for what Sharpsburg could become and in 2011 started that journey. Initially the steps were small, but gradually our momentum began to build. For the first time in 50 years, Sharpsburg passed a comprehensive plan that would steer our progress. We codified our ordinances and modernized our zoning and planning. We expanded and renovated a library that won architectural awards.
After completing the tasks to make sure our foundation was strong, I began drafting legislation to make Sharpsburg more inclusive and sustainable while honoring our heritage. I introduced, and the Council unanimously passed, legislation to recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day, to create the Sharpsburg Environmental Advisory Council and Sharpsburg Historical Commission, to extend animal protection laws, and to prevent bullying in our community.
During my time as mayor, I supported and signed into law a Human Rights Ordinance which extended protections to our LGBTQIA+ community. After the murder of George Floyd, I worked with our police to completely overhaul our policies, increase our training, outfit each officer with a body camera, and became the only mayor in Allegheny County to express interest to opt into the County’s proposed Police Review Board parameters. Working with others, I helped spearhead the first Etna-Sharpsburg Earth Day Challenge and Etna-Sharpsburg National Night Out, lead Sharpsburg through a series of floods and the pandemic, organize harm-reduction events, and collaborated with other millennial mayors to advocate for social justice reform.
Through all of this, our business district began to thrive with a bustling art scene, new restaurants, a coffee shop, and breweries. Residential property values that had plummeted began to climb and align with County-wide trends. Crime rates fell and young families injected new life into the community.
Sharpsburg’s revitalization, guided by a sustainable process with the engagement of our stakeholders and residents, is one of the greatest achievements I have had the pleasure to play a role in and a legacy that makes me most proud.
3. As a magisterial district judge, you instituted night court, only one of two in the County. How does night court work? What positive impact has it had on your constituents?
Between undergrad and law school, I taught English for one year on a Fulbright in two high schools in Austria. My experience teaching impacted me in incredible ways, made me emphatic and sympathetic to the needs of our youth, and reinforced in me that students belong in the classroom. Because of this, it always struck me as counterproductive that we pulled kids out of the classroom during the school day to come to court to address truancy and other behavioral matters. When I ran for district judge, I campaigned on a platform of introducing a night court option, and when I took the bench, was granted permission by the President Judge of the Fifth Judicial District to do so.
On the first Thursday of the month, we schedule high school cases at 3:30, middle- and elementary school cases at 4:30, and reserve time for working folks and families to schedule landlord-tenant and traffic cases so that they do not have to risk losing their wages by taking off a day of work. Additionally, I have partnered with Animal Friends for a “Dogs on the Docket” program, and trained therapy dogs are scheduled to appear in the waiting room during night court to help reduce the stress and anxiety of appearing in court.
The night court and “Dogs on the Docket” programs have been immensely successful and well-received. Kids are spending more time in the classroom learning and we have more flexibility with time in the evening, and many of the working-class folks in my communities do not have to sacrifice their vacation or sick time to come to court, or in some cases, forgo a day of wages completely.
Please tell me about your familiarity with the LGBTQ community in Allegheny County.
In my time in elected office, I have worked closely with the LGBTQ+ community. As referenced throughout the questionnaire, in 2020 I advocated for and signed into law the Sharpsburg Borough Human Rights Ordinance to extend civil rights protections to our LGBTQ+ friends and neighbors. During the process of passing the ordinance, it initially failed Council by a 4-3 margin. Thereafter, the minority vote and I worked closely with multiple LGBTQ+ organizations in the region to drum up support for the ordinance and get it across the finish line. Ultimately the ordinance passed by a 7-0 margin as a result of our advocacy and hard work.
For my district judge campaign, I sought and received the Stonewall Endorsement amongst a field of five candidates. During my current campaign, I am also seeking the Stonewall Endorsement and have participated in many of their events and fundraisers.
Since I have been on the bench, I have officiated 140 weddings to date, including over a dozen LGBTQ+ weddings. Also as referenced in this questionnaire, I respect the pronouns and names of individuals appearing before me and do not intentionally deadname anyone, and will thereafter use the correct name if I do.
Based on this, what do you understand to be our current top LGBTQ concerns and priorities for the Court of Commons Pleas? How will you respond to those priorities?
I believe some of the top priorities center around making sure that individuals who are lodged in the Allegheny County Jail are appropriately placed according to their gender identity and that members of the LGBTQ+ community, especially our trans- and non binary neighbors, have access to name changes.
When I arraign an individual, I always endeavor to correctly note the person’s gender identity and notify the jail, the Sheriff’s Office, the police department, or the constable who has custody of the individual. Proper placement in the jail protects not only that person’s safety but their dignity as well.
Regarding name changes, if I were to be placed in the civil division and handling name changes, judges have discretion to not only seal the matter but also waive any advertising or publication requirements. As with the above issue, granting such requests allows the person seeking the name change to protect their safety and dignity through the process.
What have you personally and professionally done to protect trans kids?
As referenced in question two, I advocated for and supported the Sharpsburg Human Rights Ordinance while I was mayor, which extended civil rights protections to our LGBTQ+ community. Additionally, and also as referenced throughout, I respect pronouns and names of individuals appearing before me, although the name or gender identity recognized by the Commonwealth may differ. I also do not intentionally deadname parties appearing before me, and if or when made aware that I may have done so, will use the appropriate name thereafter. I also correct parties in court when they engage in misgendering or deadnaming other parties. I do not tolerate disrespect to the LGBTQ+ Community in my courtroom.
Tell us about an underappreciated or little-known asset in the Court of Common Pleas?
Minors in Pennsylvania have the right to judicial bypass, wherein they have the right to meet privately and confidentially with a judge, who can grant permission for an abortion without telling their parents. A lawyer can be present for the minor, as well as the judge’s law clerk, but there are no records or recordings of the proceedings.
In these proceedings, judges are tasked with applying the laws as written and Pennsylvania law outlines a two-part test regarding bypass proceedings: did the petitioner receive the mandated medical counseling prior to the proceeding with the judge and is the petitioner mature enough to make the decision. If the answer to both is yes, then the law must be applied.
Is the Court of Common Pleas a County level or State level of government?
The Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas belongs to the state-level of government, and comprises the entirety of the Fifth Judicial District of Pennsylvania.
Please summarize how the Court of Common Pleas is funded.
The Courts are funded with state tax dollar appropriations, but also funded by the fines, fees, and costs collected by the Court system, which far exceeds the amount appropriated by the Commonwealth.
In about 70% of Pennsylvania, it is legal to discriminate against people based on gender identity and sexual orientation – to fire us, to refuse to rent to us, even to deny to serve us in a business. The few protections we have come from municipal ordinances, court rulings, and executive decisions none of which carry the weight of legislative action by the General Assembly. Name three things your office will do to address the fallout of this legalized bigotry?
In Pennsylvania, civil rights laws do not extend to members of our LGBTQ+ community, unless local municipalities pass their own ordinances extending those protections.
Because of this, in 2020 I am incredibly proud during my tenure as Sharpsburg’s mayor to have advocated for and signed into law the Sharpsburg Human Rights Ordinance which provides protections to LGBTQ+ residents from wrongful eviction or a denial of public accommodation.
Members of the bench and the bar should be cognizant of the issues facing the LGBTQ+ community and be properly prepared to address them. Inside and outside of my courtroom, I respect the pronouns and names of individuals appearing before me, although the name or gender identity recognized by the Commonwealth may differ. I also do not intentionally deadname parties appearing before me, and if or when made aware that I may have done so, will use the appropriate name thereafter. I also correct parties in court when they engage in misgendering or deadnaming other parties. I do not tolerate disrespect to the LGBTQ+ Community in my courtroom.
In addition, extra steps should be taken to ensure that LGBTQ+ people are properly placed in the Allegheny County Jail.
These are some of the steps that can be taken to ensure members of the LGBTQ+ community are not facing added adversity in the judicial system.
Every school kid learns that we have three branches of government – executive, legislative, and judicial. We also have three levels of government – local, state, and federal. Democracy is supposed to rest at the intersections of these branches and levels. Those intersections also include people – citizens, residents, voters, workers, neighbors. It can be overwhelming when the balance of power is heavily tilted in one direction. What three specific actions will you take to address this imbalance from your office should you be elected?
The courts have, now more than ever, become vital to the health of our democracy. Many folks often need to be reminded that the courts are the third co-equal branch of our government. We are the bulwark between the people and the legislative and executive branches, and robed in vast responsibilities with intentional and unintentional outcomes.
Previously having served as a Sharpsburg Borough councilor writing the laws, as an executive enforcing the laws, and most importantly as a judge applying the laws, I have a skillset unlike any other candidate for this office.
The courts must remain a check on the other branches, and broadly speaking, this can be done in numerous ways: courts can interpret the laws, courts can invalidate the laws, and courts can hold members of the executive (including the police) accountable and require that they meet their standards- and burdens of proof.
Our nation is in turmoil. Still, Court business continues – crimes adjudicated, custody decisions made, disputes and grievances addressed. Our lives move forward, facing life changing personal legal battles in this larger context. How does a judge balance this cognitive dissonance?
Of course we are all internalizing the world around us in different ways. I often say that I will always make the moral decision unless the law gets in the way, and try to do as little harm as possible. Judges have many tools available to them, and my campaign is centered around the principles of restorative, fair, and accessible justice for all.
Restorative justice requires taking a holistic approach to the matter at hand, whether it be making a plaintiff whole in a civil matter, delivering meaningful diversionary programs to a defendant in a criminal matter, utilizing fine and fee workshops, or crafting creative solutions for at-risk youth. Judges have many tools available to them to help resolve matters in their court, and in my time as a jurist, I have learned what those tools are and how to effectively use them.
Fairness requires a judge to deliver on many fronts: being dignified, impartial, and patient, among others. Having previously been a teacher, councilman, and mayor, and as a sitting judge, I have always been aware of the needs of the people I serve. We know that disparities exist in our justice system, especially in the use of monetary bond, and we must strive to deliver due process to all parties appearing before the courts.
Access to the courts is foundational to our justice system. Justice delayed is justice denied. As a district judge, I have increased accessibility to the courts by introducing a monthly night court session for juvenile cases to avoid pulling them out of school and for parties who cannot afford to take off a day of work. On our night court sessions, I also partner with Animal Friends to have trained therapy dogs in my court waiting room to help folks reduce their stress and anxiety levels of being in court. We also stagger cases by scheduling matters over a period of time all at once and utilize remote technology when requested and when reasonable.
You tout your record on reducing cash bail. This was a very hot topic during recent magisterial elections. How have your decisions around cash bail had measurable positive impact for your community?
During my three years on the bench, my experiences have reinforced the notion that we can balance the safety of victims, witnesses, and our communities while limiting the use of monetary bond. The use of monetary bond creates a two-tiered justice system where the indigent typically remain incarcerated while others with the ability to pay are released, which does not necessarily guarantee the safety of the public.
By limiting my use of monetary bond for individuals who have detainers and holds, those defendants begin to accrue credit for time served on their new charges while they are held on another case, which can be used to satisfy a sentence if they are ultimately found guilty or enter a guilty plea.
For individuals who are released on non-monetary conditions, which comprises the bulk of the people I arraign, they can continue to live at home, work and earn a living, support their families, pay their bills, and maintain their dignity.
What unique perspective will you bring to the Court of Common Pleas as a former member of council and Mayor for a municipal suburb?
I often joke that all former mayors deserved degrees in social work. My time in local government taught me a lot about what makes people tick, their struggles, their hopes and fears, and most importantly how to meet them where they are. Many people coming to court are often there because something bad happened to them, and it is not necessarily because they are bad people or through any fault of their own. Because of this, I take a holistic approach to my role as a district judge and will continue to do so if elected to the Court of Common Pleas.
There’s a clear need to actively create space for women, especially Black women and other women of color, in elected office AND on campaign and legislative staffs. These are issues of representation and realities. Tell us about your campaign team.
My campaign chair is former fellow Millennial Mayor Marita Garrett, a Black woman from Wilkinsburg. My campaign manager is Alex Rose, a straight, white, cis male.
My slate of endorsers also includes State Sen. Lindsey Williams, State Rep. Lindsay Powell, State Rep. Mandy Steele, County Councilor At-Large Bethany Hallam, County Councilor Anita Prizio, Sharpsburg Mayor Kayla Portis, the first Black mayor in Sharpsburg, Carnegie Mayor Stacie Riley, Mt. Oliver Mayor JoAnna Taylor, Penn Hills Mayor Pauline Calabrese, former Wilkinsburg Mayor Marita Garrett, former Braddock Mayor Chardaé Jones, and former Turtle Creek Mayor Kelley Kelley.
Why did you agree to complete this Q&A?
Participating in this questionnaire is important to me as an ally for the LGBTQ+ community.
It is vital to promote the LGBTQ+ community and the rights and protections for which your organization advocates. This is especially true in this current time of uncertainty and danger that the LGBTQ+ community faces at the national level. Now, more than ever, we need to stand strong by our ideals to ensure the well-being of our whole community. I would consider it among the highest honors to be recognized for my body of work and efforts at securing protections for the LGBTQ+ community and for all marginalized individuals and groups—plus given a mandate to continue those works into the future.
Minors in Pennsylvania have the right to judicial bypass, wherein they have the right to meet privately and confidentially with a judge, who can grant permission for an abortion without telling their parents. A lawyer can be present for the minor, as well as the judge’s law clerk, but there are no records or recordings of the proceedings.
In these proceedings, judges are tasked with applying the laws as written and Pennsylvania law outlines a two-part test regarding bypass proceedings: did the petitioner receive the mandated medical counseling prior to the proceeding with the judge and is the petitioner mature enough to make the decision. If the answer to both is yes, then the law must be applied.
Endorsements, Social Media, and Summary
Tell us about your endorsements.
I have been previously endorsed by Stonewall (2021), the Gertrude Stein Political Club (2021), and the Allegheny County Democratic Committee (2021) when I ran for magisterial district judge, and am seeking those endorsements this cycle.
My candidacy for the Court of Common Pleas has been endorsed by:
State Sen. Nick Piscottano;
State Sen. Lindsey Williams;
State Rep. Dan Deasy;
State Rep. Dan Frankel;
State Rep. Matthew Gergely;
State Rep. John Inglis;
State Rep. Brandon Markosek;
State Rep. Joe McAndrew;
State Rep. Lindsay Powell;
State Rep. Mandy Steele;
County Councilor Jack Betkowski;
County Councilor David Bonaroti;
County Councilor Nick Futules;
County Councilor Dan Grzybek;
County Councilor Bethany Hallam;
County Councilor Bob Palmosina;
County Councilor Anita Prizio;
19 current or former mayors, among other local elected officials;
The Allegheny County Constables Association;
The Young Democrats of Allegheny County;
The Pitt College Dems;
North Hills Progressives; and
South Park Democrats.
Please list your social media accounts and your campaign donation links.
Facebook, Instagram, and Bluesky: JudgeRudzki
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/judgerudzkiwebsite
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
I appreciate your time and effort in putting this together!
Thank you, Matt.
Other Q&A’s
Other Q&A’s in this election cycle series. You can read previous cycle Q&A’s here. If your candidate would like to participate, please contact us pghlesbian at gmail dot com.
The 2025 Political Q&A Series: Lauren Leiggi, Candidate for Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas
The 2025 Political Q&A Series: Amy Mathieu, Candidate for Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas
The 2025 Political Q&A Series: Matt Rudzki, Candidate for Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas
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