Ex-State Rep. Stephens Sworn In As Hatboro-Horsham Judge

HATBORO / HORSHAM TOWNSHIP, PA —Former State Rep. Todd Stephens is now a Magisterial District Justice.

The longtime legislator ran unopposed in the Nov. 7 general election. He took the oath of office Thursday as he was sworn in in the Montgomery County Court House.

"I was honored to have my family by my side," Stephens said in a Facebook post. "Their love and support have been amazing and I couldn’t be where I am without them."

Stephens, who lives in Horsham Township, served for 12 years as state representative for the 151st Legislative District. The Republican lost his re-election bid to Democrat Melissa Cerrato.

He will now serve as a judge for the upcoming combined court of Hatboro and Horsham Township.

"It was surreal to be back in the place where I began my legal and public service careers as a clerk in the Prothonotary’s Office in 1995 and, ultimately, as an Assistant District Attorney until 2010," Stephens said. "So much of who I am today was forged by the people I met and worked with in the Court House, many of whom are serving on the bench and serve as role models for me today."

As a state representative, Stephens was instrumental during the PFAS contamination development and within the Military Installation Remediation and Infrastructure Authority (MIRIA), an authority formed under Act 101 of 2019, township officials said.

The former Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove is one of three former and active military bases that in 2016 showed extremely high levels of PFAS, also known as "forever chemicals."

Stephens also assisted with funding for the Miracle Field of Horsham and the Horsham Soccer Association's Turf field.

The judgeship became available with the upcoming retirement of Hatboro Magisterial District Justice Paul Leo and the term expiration of Horsham Township Magisterial District Justice Harry J. Nesbitt at the end of the year.

"I look forward to serving the people of Horsham Township and the Borough of Hatboro as Judge where my goal will always be to deliver fair and just decisions," Stephens said. "I’m humbled and excited to start this next chapter."