Bucks GOP Announces Candidates For Countywide Office

DOYLESTOWN, PA ? The Bucks County Republican Committee has announced its team of recommended candidates for the 2025 county elections.

Over the last several weeks, Republican committeepeople have met regionally throughout the county to screen candidates for Court of Common Pleas, District Attorney, Sheriff, Controller, Recorder of Deeds, and Prothonotary, and to vote on their recommendations.

The regional votes were confirmed by a vote of the executive committee, made up of representatives from across Bucks County. The candidates listed below earned the overwhelming support of the Bucks County Republican Committee.

?We are proud to recommend to the voters of Bucks County this qualified, experienced, and dedicated team of public servants and candidates,? said Bucks County GOP Chair Patricia Poprik. ?We look forward to sharing their impressive record of protecting our community, supporting our families, and restoring fiscal discipline to county government.?

From left are the GOP's recommended county candidates in 2025, in back, Fred Harran, Joe Pizzo, Colin Monahan, and Dan McPhillips. In front are Pamela Van Blunk, Coleen Christian, Jennifer Schorn, Chelsey Crocker Jackman, and Grace Deon. (Bucks County GOP)

Bucks County Court of Common Pleas

• Grace Deon, President and CEO of Eastburn and Gray, P.C., brings 32 years of experience as a trial lawyer in multiple areas of the law. Grace is a past president of the Bucks County Bar Association. She is a graduate of St. Joseph?s University and Temple University School of Law. Grace is a 50-year resident of Bucks County, currently living in Northampton Township with her husband of nearly 35 years, Vincent. They have a daughter, Aubrey. Grace is an alumna of the Central Bucks School District. For 30 years, she has acted as the President of the Distribution Committee for the Bucks County Foundation, a $17 million community trust that awards charitable grants and scholarships throughout the county. Grace currently serves on the board at the National Alliance for Mental Illness - Bucks County Chapter, an organization that supports individuals and families affected by mental illness through recovery-focused support, education, and advocacy. She previously completed multiple terms as a member of the Board of Directors of the non-profit Network of Victim Assistance ("NOVA").

• Chelsey Crocker Jackman has spent nearly her entire legal career serving the residents of Bucks County in the District Attorney?s office, rising to the position of Deputy District Attorney. Chelsey has worked in both the Special Victims Unit and the Human Trafficking Division, of which she was Chief, and was instrumental in getting some of the worst offenders off of our streets and into prison. Chelsey is a graduate of Penn State University and Widener University School of Law. From 2021 to 2023 Chelsey was Deputy Bucks County Solicitor focusing on the legal needs of the Bucks County Children and Youth Agency. In this role she co-authored the Bucks County Human Trafficking Ordinance and supervised and supported other agency attorneys. Since November of 2023, Chelsey has been an associate at Begley, Carlin, & Mandio, LLP representing clients in matters related to land use, real estate, and municipal law. She resides in Buckingham Township with her husband and two daughters.

• Colin Monahan has worked on a litany of matters spanning the legal spectrum from high-value injury matters and federal Civil Rights cases to simple traffic cases. He brings a breadth of experience and a commitment to efficient, practical, commonsense solutions to bear on client matters. Colin has also had experience in the field of Election Law and regularly represents clients at the Board of Elections. A graduate of Lock Haven University and Widener University School of Law, Colin has represented clients throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Colin resides in Upper Bucks County with his wife and three children. For the past five years Colin has run the Law Offices of Colin Monahan after working in larger firms.

• Joe Pizzo is an experienced and respected municipal and litigation attorney with more than 30 years of service to municipalities, school districts and municipal authorities. He graduated magna cum laude from Temple University in 1986, and he received his J.D. from the Temple University School of Law in 1991. Joe is the managing member of the Bucks County law firm of Pizzo Rudolph, LLC. Joe?s areas of practice include municipal law, zoning and land use law, real estate law, election law and civil litigation. He has served as solicitor and special counsel to numerous municipalities and governmental agencies, including Bensalem and Northampton townships where he serves as township solicitor. He has also served on the Board of Directors of the Bucks County Housing Development Corporation, where he served as Board President, and on the Board of Directors of the Bucks County Community College Foundation. A native and life-long resident of Bucks County, Joe and his family reside in Bensalem, Bucks County.

Bucks County District Attorney: Jen Schorn

• District Attorney Jen Schorn of Warwick Township took office in January 2024 following former District Attorney Matt Weintraub?s election to the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas. She is a Bucks County native with over a quarter-century of experience as a prosecutor. Throughout her career, Schorn has prosecuted all types of criminal cases including murder, child sexual and physical abuse, human trafficking, and major crimes, and is credited with helping to solve a number of cold case homicides in the county. During her time in office, she has also served as the Chief of the Investigative Grand Jury, Chief of Special Victims and Chief of Major Crimes. She is on the Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania District Attorney?s Institute and on Pennsylvania District Attorney?s Association Education and Training Committee.

Bucks County Sheriff: Fred Harran

• Sheriff Fred Harran of Bristol Borough has spent nearly four decades serving Bucks County as a Law Enforcement Officer. Starting as a police officer in Bensalem and rising to the rank of Director of Public Safety, a position he held for 16 years before being elected Bucks County Sheriff in 2021. Over his many years in law enforcement, Sheriff Harran has developed critical insight into 21st-century policing and a unique ability to bring people together. These skills define his approach to sheriff?s office operations, which involves thinking ?outside the box.? In all situations, he strives to work collaboratively and create key partnerships ? not only with other government agencies, but also with the community he serves.

Bucks County Controller: Pamela Van Blunk, Esq.

• County Controller Pam Van Blunk of Doylestown Township is running to build on her achievements as Bucks County?s independent fiscal watchdog by continuing to focus on government transparency and conservative fiscal responsibility. Van Blunk?s education, experience, and training as a litigation attorney, small business owner and community volunteer make her uniquely qualified to serve in the role of advocating on behalf of taxpayers. During her tenure as Bucks County?s Controller, Van Blunk prioritized the Controller?s Fraud, Waste & Abuse program that saved the county over $1 million in taxpayer funds. Van Blunk also implemented the Unclaimed Funds program which, in two years, has returned over $700,000 to the rightful owners, including municipalities, police departments, school districts, small business owners, non-profit organizations, and residents. In the name of transparency, Van Blunk publishes all audits, financial reports, and retirement investment account reconciliations on her website. If re-elected, Van Blunk said she will continue to safeguard tax dollars and promote transparency by ensuring the lawful, appropriate, and efficient receipt, maintenance and disbursement of county assets and communicating related information in an accurate and timely manner.

Bucks County Recorder of Deeds: Dan McPhillips

• Dan McPhillips of Warminster Township is a lifelong resident of Bucks County, currently serving as Recorder of Deeds. Previously, Dan served as chairman of the Warminster Township Board of Supervisors and as president of the Bucks County Association of Township Officials. As the Bucks County Recorder of Deeds, his office is responsible for recording and maintaining real estate documents in Bucks County. Dan said he understands that for the average resident of Bucks County, the single largest purchase they will make is the purchase of their property. That?s why his office offers a free Fraud Alert Program to protect property. As an active member of the community, McPhillips previously served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Bucks County Community College Authority Board. He currently serves as member of the Board of Directors for the Centennial School District Education Foundation and as a member of the Warrington Rotary Club. He received his bachelor?s degree from LaSalle University and his associate?s degree from Bucks County Community College. He lives in Warminster with his wife, Piyumika.

Bucks County Prothonotary: Coleen Christian

• Coleen Christian of Upper Makefield is a former township supervisor, entrepreneur, and small businesswoman whose experience in both the public and private sectors has positioned her to serve as Bucks County?s chief clerk in the civil courts division. Coleen has modernized the Prothonotary?s office and is committed to continuing serving the public and the legal community effectively and efficiently. A graduate of Villanova University with a certificate in Urban Planning from Harvard University, Coleen has been responsible for managing several projects in the private sector, coordinating significant budgets, overseeing a large staff, and meeting deadlines. During her term in office, Coleen re-opened the satellite offices to serve residents throughout Bucks County and has streamlined the passport application process in the Prothonotary?s office and is committed to ensuring that the main office and satellite locations are providing the best possible service to the residents of Bucks County.