Meet Karl Salisbury
Meet Karl Salisbury, Candidate for Magisterial District Judge
Watch any television cooking show and you’ll know that fusion dishes and restaurants are a huge trend. Fusion chefs are famous for reinterpreting cuisines to create something that challenges both tradition and our palates.
I see Karl Salisbury as the fusion candidate for magisterial judge (a position once known as district justice; if you’re a little older, the title justice of the peace rings familiar). Salisbury has been a teacher of emotional support students at the School District of Lancaster High School for six years and in law enforcement as a constable since 2009. He blends together all of the qualities needed for both jobs—curiosity, patience, discipline, compassion, perspective, and a true understanding of the law—into a candidate that is running for this particular office. It’s a natural evolution from both professions, so that he can, as he says, “Honorably serve my community and thus, do right by my wife and three kids.”
As many candidates for office do, Salisbury and his family have been knocking on doors throughout the city. He says that he knocks on all doors, that it doesn't matter if they are a registered Democrat or Republican. He shares that he wants to meet everyone, listen to their concerns, and answer with an honest and transparent sincerity.
“The law is not partisan, I represent everybody,” Salisbury said. “The decisions a judge makes should be made using the facts, understanding the issues, and then making a decision fairly.”
He secured signatures for both Democrats and Republicans on his petition to be included on the ballot. In his travels around town, some constituents have asked Karl about issues that he will—in all likelihood—never have to decide on, issues that the United States Supreme Court will and have decided on. Yet, he answers all questions and never hides behind a no comment.
“I'm in front of everyone,” Salisbury said. “You may not like my politics or positions, but we can have a conversation. You will find me accountable, transparent, and equitable.”
When you ask Salisbury what he would like to change if he is voted into the position, he immediately answers with an empathic proclamation that he will be a full-time judge. He will not work in another job and squeeze all the cases into a single day or afternoon (possibly inconveniencing everyone except the judge himself). There will be no case stacking. He wants to be the first one in the county office and the last one out. He says that he will greet people at the window and spend his days, “helping you.”
He is most excited to perform one of his many duties as Magisterial District Judge—marrying people. You begin to understand why he would find such joy in the possibility of joining folks together in marriage, as he expresses such joy for his own marriage and family. Time and time again, he mentions the support he receives from his family. When asked about how his family feels about this possible job change, he smiles and says, "My oldest said, ‘It’s about time, Dad’.”
As excited as Salisbury is at the potential of marrying happy couples, the majority of his time would be spent as the first stop in criminal cases. He would be the one to listen in on the arraignment — a plea of guilty or not guilty. He would set bail and issue search warrants. (“I will be the first contact,” he explains.)
There are also civil suits, such as landlord and tenant disputes. (“Everyday will be unique and different,” Salisbury says.) He has made clear that every day, he will be there—available and ready to help.
When Salisbury is asked if he would ever want to run for another office, he shakes his head. “I want to be beholden to no one, no political party, no donors,” he says.
He continues on to explain what he calls, “the beauty of the law” and that he sees the law as a gift that would allow him to combine all of his expertise and developed skills—patience, empathy, and organization, developed as a teacher. And as a state constable, how to hustle. (“Constables did not get paid unless they fulfilled an assignment, serving search warrants, civil notices,” he explains.)
Karl Salisbury—husband, father, teacher, constable, man with a conscience, appreciator of the law, and humanitarian who understands the nuances and diverse backgrounds of the people he serves—would like to work hard for them in a different capacity, as a fulltime Magisterial Judge. He plans to be, as he says, “a judge beholden to no one and accountable, transparent, and equitable to all.”
By Marian Pontz
