4 Year TermSalary: $96,200.00Established by the PA Constitution, the Clerk of Court is an officer of the court and an independently elected official. The Clerk of Court is the official record keeper for all matters relating to the Criminal Division of the Court of Common Pleas. All documents pertinent to a criminal court case must be filed with the Clerk of Court.The office is primarily responsible for recording, maintaining, and processing criminal and juvenile records for the County Court of Common Pleas. Other responsibilities include assessing court imposed costs and fines, and licensing private detectives. Administrative duties include preparing prison commitments, bail, processing motions and petitions, summary appeals, and appeals to the PA Superior and Supreme Courts.The majority of office business is conducted pursuant to state law and PA Rules of Court. Most of the work is a direct result of cases bound over for court from the county s sixteen magisterial district judges and from dispositions in the courtroom.*Candidates for this race were not contacted for information, though we anticipate contacting candidates for the Municipal General election in November.**We have listed all candidates in this race alphabetically, therefore candidates are not in ballot order.*
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Occupation
Consultant
Education
BA-Political Science/Sociology; Masters of Healthcare Administration; Nationally Certified Mental Health First Aid Trainer; Certified Diversity Executive
Tina Nixon is well known for her efforts to promote well-being and social justice in the Central PA region, specifically in Harrisburg where she was born and raised. For over 25 years, she has been a community leader and a visionary at the forefront of innovative organizational and program development, initially as the CEO of a non-profit women’s organization, and then as the Vice President of Mission Effectiveness, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion of the Central PA branch of a statewide healthcare system. In both roles, she developed leadership skills that enabled her to lead teams of more than 100+ employees and build community programs that support the most vulnerable.
Currently, she is a consultant who shares her expertise in causes related to mental health, health equity, and leadership development for the community.
1. Modernizing Systems for Efficiency and Access- Once a full assessment is done, implement updated technologies and streamline processes to reduce delays, improve accuracy, and make it easier for the public to access court records, pay fees, and navigate the justice system.
2. Strengthening Staff Support and Professional Development-Foster a positive, inclusive workplace culture by investing in training, clear communication, and opportunities for growth-ensuring the team feels valued, prepared, and empowered to serve the public.
3. Building Transparency and Public Trust- Ensure that the office operates with integrity, fairness, and responsiveness by improving public communication, enhancing customer service, and creating more accessible pathways for residents to understand and engage with the courts.
One of the most challenging issues faced by the Dauphin County Clerk of Courts is balancing efficiency and accuracy in a high-volume, paper-heavy system, while also meeting the evolving needs of the public, justice partners, and internal staff. Work to update outdated technology that slows up processes, making sure we have adequate staffing to decrease backlogs as well as cross-training staff. Reduce public access barriers that individuals also struggle to navigate due to confusing procedures, limited digital tools, or lack of in-person assistance, especially for records expungement, fee payments, or understanding court communication. Creating a collaborative and coordinated partnership with judges, law enforcement, attorneys, and other departments to avoid miscommunication or lag in information sharing which can disrupt the court process.
Occupation
Consultant
Education
B.S. and M.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University
I currently operate my own business which specializes in workforce and senior affordable housing. In this highly competitive industry, analyzing data, navigating government agencies, and meeting critical deadlines are paramount to our success. While attending Carnegie Mellon University, I was president of the American Society of Civil Engineers student chapter, facilitating connections between students, professors, and industry professionals. The leadership, service, and technical skills gained through these experiences qualify me to be the Dauphin County Clerk of Courts; the crucial link between the courts and the public.
Efficiency, proficiency, and accuracy are my priorities for the office. A high volume of paperwork passes through the office that needs to be handled quickly, fairly, and competently to ensure that justice is not delayed. I pledge to bring public confidence back to the office, and I will assure the prompt and accurate handling of all cases.
One of the most challenging issues facing the office is maintaining accuracy as laws change. I will ensure the staff has access to updated information and processes as these changes become law. This will be done by accessing the latest published information every Friday morning in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. The PA Bulletin’s website includes: Rulemakings by State Agencies; Proposed Rulemakings by State Agencies; State Agency Notices; The Governor’s Proclamations and Executive Orders; Actions by the General Assembly; and Statewide and Local Court Rules.
I would be honored to have your VOTE and serve as your next Dauphin County Clerk of Courts.
