Judge Bob Burke Runs For Third Term In Haverford Township

Judge Bob Burke wants to continue addressing Haverford Township residents’ quality of life issues “in a positive way.”

Burke, a 61-year-old Republican who has served as magisterial district judge for 12 years, is running for re-election against Democratic challenger Philip Lozano in the November general election.

Burke has lived in Haverford Township for 30 years and has two grown children who were raised in the township and attended .

After obtaining a bachelor’s degree in political science from Penn State University and a law degree from Widener University, Burke worked as an attorney for 31 years. He was first elected a magisterial district judge in 1999.

Burke volunteers for several organizations, including serving as: president of the Havertown Optimist Club, an international organization which serves communities’ young people; a member and solicitor for the .; a member of the Catholic War Veterans and the American Legion; a volunteer for the St. Dennis (Church) Fun Fair for the past several years.

Burke is also the current treasurer and former president of the Delaware County Magisterial District Judges Association.

Before he was first elected judge, Burke was vice chairman of the Haverford Township Planning Commission and served for many years on the township’s Skatium Advisory Board.

Burke told the Haverford-Havertown Patch that he decided to run for reelection because, “I love my job and I want to continue to deal with the quality of life issues that affect Haverford Township residents, in a positive way.”

The quality of life issues include truancy cases, crime and traffic problems, Burke said.

Burke said he handles all of the township’s truancy cases.

“I probably spend more time on them than on anything else I do because they’re so challenging,” Burke said.

Burke said it is challenging to determine the real reason why a student decides not to go to school but when he finds out the reason and helps a child deal with it, “it’s very satisfying to get a young person back on track.”

Residents should vote for him, Burke said, because, “I have the experience, the background, the right perspective and temperament to be an effective judge.”

That experience, Burke said, includes 32 years of experience as an attorney and 12 years of experience as a judge.

“I’ve worked hard and I’m proud of my reputation as a fair and honest judge,” Burke said.  “And I’m proud of my record of service to my community.”

Burke added that he served as a captain in the U.S. Army and also served in South Korea.

“So I’m proud of that as well,” Burke said.