Five new Bucks County Row Officers were sworn in to their positions Monday after a Democratic clean-sweep election in November to flip the administration’s offices from Republican to Democrat.
The “blue wave” didn’t just sweep through Bucks County’s row offices at November’s election, it also carried many Democrats to victory in school boards and municipal government leadership positions up and down the county.
The Hon. Raymond F. McHugh, Bucks County Court of Common Pleas president presided.
Each winning candidate for office selected a judge to officiate and administer their oath of office.
Donna Petrecco, who won her race to become prothonotary, was sworn in by the Hon. Jordan B. Yeager.
Danny Ceisler was sworn in by his mother, the Hon. Ellen H. Ceisler as Bucks County sheriff. Bucks County District Attorney Joe Khan was sworn in by State Supreme Court Justice Kevin M. Dougherty. Controller Neale Dougherty, who had previously served a term from 2018 to 2022, was sworn into office by the Hon. Charissa J. Liller and Recorder of Deeds Robin Robinson was sworn in by the Hon. Brian T. McGuffin. This is Robinson’s second non consecutive term as recorder of deeds (2018-2022).
“Today we begin a whole new chapter in Bucks County history as we are going to inaugurate five new county row officers. This is the first time we’ve had five new officers, who are all Democrats, and they will be joining four [current] row officers who are also Democrats,” said Diane Ellis-Marseglia, chair of Bucks County Commissioners.
Ellis-Marseglia said the outcome was not about political party but rather “this is about real importance, which is integrity, accountability and transparency.”
READ: Bucks County Democrats Prove ‘All Politics Is Local’ With Sweeping Election Wins
Prior to the swearing in of the newly elected county row officers, Bucks County Commissioners held their annual reorganizational meeting to select leadership positions. Positions for 2026 were unanimously voted as one slate.
Ellis-Marseglia is the new chair for 2026; Commissioners Bob Harvie was voted vice chair and Gene DiGirolamo was voted board secretary.
“To the row officers each of you have earned the public’s confidence; two of you have now earned it twice, and you know with that comes responsibility … I know you will work very hard to keep the public trust, to keep our citizens safe and make sure our county government is everything our citizens need. You are truly the front line of government for the citizens, and you who they see first,” Ellis-Marseglia said.
McHugh said four Bucks County Court of Common Pleas judges would be sworn, during a process called investiture this week. Those judges include: Linda Bobrin, Dawn DiDonato Burke, Amy Fitzpatrick, a former solicitor to Bucks County Commissioners and Tiffany Thomas-Smith. All four incoming judges are also Democrats.
View the meeting and ceremony here.
