Son of retiring Common Pleas judge announces candidacy for judge seat
Attorney Matthew McCune, of Conlon Tarker law firm, has announced that he will run for one of Butler County’s open judge seats in Common Pleas Court in the upcoming primary election.
“As a lifelong resident, the spirit of the Butler community was integral in my growth not only professionally, but as a father and husband,” McCune wrote in a news release. “I strive to be in the vanguard of seeing that Butler County continues to be a regional leader in faith, service, justice and the rule of law.”
If elected, McCune will be the third generation of his family to hold an elected office in Butler County, following his great-grandfather, former Butler County Commissioner W.H. “Doc” McCune, and his father, former Butler County district attorney and current Common Pleas Judge Timothy McCune.
According to Matthew McCune, his father will retire at the end of 2025, opening up a seat. Another seat will be added to the court due to the rise in Butler County’s population, making seven judges.
McCune said he is honored to attempt to follow in his father’s footsteps.
“My family has a history of public service, and I do feel a duty to continue that role in the community,” McCune told the Butler Eagle. “That would be something that I would be extremely proud of.”
However, he added that the opportunity to follow his father isn’t the only, or even the main reason, why he is running for the position.
“The biggest reason is, I think I would do a good job,” McCune said. “I think my experience and my personality, my ability to connect with people on a human level and on a personal level, are some skills that would be well fit for the job. If I didn’t think I was going to do a good job, I wouldn’t be pursuing this.”
After graduating from Butler High School in 2004, McCune went on to earn a bachelor’s in political science from Seton Hill University in Greensburg, in 2008. Five years later, he earned a Juris Doctor from the Kline School of Law at Duquesne University.
In addition to his experience as an attorney, the younger McCune has years of volunteer experience at the Butler YMCA, Butler Downtown, Butler Youth Baseball and the Butler County Drug and Alcohol Advisory Board, among other groups.
The primary election is set for May 20.
Ray Conlon, attorney and one of the partners in the law firm that employs McCune, will serve as chairman of McCune’s campaign committee, with insurance professional Rich Gigliotti, of Zelienople, serving as campaign treasurer.
