Palmyra Magisterial District Judge Carl Garver says he will not seek re-election for a third term

Matthew Toth, Lebanon Daily News
·2 min read

Beginning his twelfth year of service, Magisterial District Judge Carl Garver announces that he will not seek re-election and will step down when his term expires at the end of 2023.

The 67-year-old Republican from Palmyra was first elected in 2011. The 52-3-05 magisterial district includes Palmyra, North and South Londonderry Townships, Cold Spring Township, and East Hanover Township.

Garver said it's been an honor to serve his community from the bench, but he feels he could best serve his community in other areas.

"At the end of my term I'll be 67, (and) if I go for another term that will take me up to 73 and I'm just thinking there are more things I can probably do as long as I still have my health," he said. "That's the primary reason that I'm going to retire. It's just to the point where there's other things I want to do while I still have my health."

Magisterial District Judge Carl Garver announces that he will not seek re-election and will step down when his term expires at the end of 2023.
Magisterial District Judge Carl Garver announces that he will not seek re-election and will step down when his term expires at the end of 2023.

Once his term expires, Garver said he would like to work more with church activities, alumni associations, volunteering and travel.

"I'm a community participant, so I still would like to still maintain activities within the community," he said.

Garver has been involved in the criminal justice system for over 48 years, serving eight of those years as a Texas State Trooper and Narcotics investigator on the state border. Before becoming a district judge, Garver served 21 years as a Dauphin County detective, detective sergeant and acting chief county detective. He served 15 years as president of the Dauphin County Detectives Association.

Having taught criminal justice and law courses at Penn State Harrisburg and Lebanon Valley College, Garver established the Dauphin County Crimestoppers Program in1986. He served as the program coordinator for over 20 years. Garver is currently the second vice president of the Palmyra Rotary Club.

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Garver said he made his announcement in plenty of time for others to announce their own candidacy for the May 2023 primary. Serving the community has been a highlight of Garver's career as a judge, and he hopes whoever is elected to his seat will continue that dedication of service.

"I think I've established a very good working relationship with the community, and would just hope my successor would continue to maintain that good working relationship."

Matthew Toth is a reporter for the Lebanon Daily News. Reach him at mtoth@ldnews.com or on Twitter at @DAMattToth.

This article originally appeared on Lebanon Daily News: Magisterial District Judge Carl Garver won't run for third term