Lesbian Judge Abbe Fletman Wins Court of Common Pleas Race

Abbe Fletman photo via Facebook

Democrat Abbe Fletman, an open lesbian, was one of 12 candidates to win her race for Judge of the Court of Common Pleas during Philadelphia’s primary election on Tuesday. She joins fellow winner Chris Mallios as the second openly LGBT person to clench a win. She will now be placed on the ballot for the general election in November, and all signs are pointing to a win. (Since that’s usually how it goes for Dems here.)

Fletman is no stranger to this job, she was appointed to an open position on the Court of Common Pleas last year, after being nominated by Governor Tom Wolf. This year, though, she had to run to remain on the bench—and she succeeded.

Fletman is a life-long Philadelphian. Before serving in the Court of Common Pleas, she was an attorney representing “plaintiffs and defendants in complex commercial litigation.” She also represented clients in cases that have saved them from losing their homes and protected their right to vote. Among her other accolades is a Lifetime Achievement Award by The Legal Intelligencer, and she was named one of Pennsylvania’s top 50 female Super Lawyers from 2009-2014.

Fletman is married and she and her wife have two children.

For more on Fletman, read this great questionnaire from the Liberty City LGBT Democrats. And follow Philly Mag’s post-election coverage on our politics blog, Citified, here.