Rashid Santiago
Magisterial District Judge
Lehigh County District Court 31-1-02
Rashid Santiago is a Puerto Rican Magisterial District Judge for Lehigh County District 31-1-02, serving the Center City Allentown community since 2014 — making him one of the few Latino judges in the region. Raised in Allentown by a single mother on public assistance, he became a first-generation college graduate, earning a B.S. cum laude from Gwynedd Mercy College and a J.D. from Widener University School of Law in 2010. He previously clerked for Berks County Judge John A. Boccabella and has presided over thousands of cases with a reputation for fairness and judicial temperament, particularly in matters involving juveniles and underserved communities.
Timeline
Rashid Santiago was listed as a candidate for Magisterial District Judge in District 31-1-02 in the November 4, 2025 general municipal election, running on both Democratic and Republican ballots.
Rashid Santiago received 803 Democratic votes and 179 Republican votes in the Magisterial District Judge 31-1-02 primary election.
Magisterial District Judge Rashid Santiago, along with Judge Michael D'Amore, arraigned former Allentown police officer Jason Krasley on charges of rape, sexual assault, and other offenses.
Rashid Santiago, running as a Democrat, was defeated in the race for three judge seats on the Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas, with Republican candidates Tom Caffrey, Tom Capehart, and David Ritter winning the seats.
Rashid Santiago was one of nine attorneys vying for a Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas judge position in the primary election held to narrow the field of candidates.
District Justice Rashid Santiago announced his decision to run for a Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas judge seat in the 2021 election.
The Allentown School District Foundation Board of Directors appointed The Hon. Rashid O. Santiago to its board, increasing volunteer members to 19.
Magisterial District Judge Rashid Santiago's courtroom was shuttered in late March 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, resulting in hundreds of pending cases.
Rashid Santiago sought nominations for Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in the primary election, receiving 509 Republican votes and 3,339 Democratic votes.
Rashid Santiago began serving as Magisterial District Judge in Pennsylvania Judiciary's Lehigh County District Court 31-1-02, presiding over felony, misdemeanor, and civil matters in center city and west Allentown.
Rashid Santiago earned his Juris Doctor degree from Widener University School of Law in 2010 and graduated cum laude from Gwynedd Mercy College with a B.S. in Business Administration.
Facts
1984
Magisterial District Court
- • B.S. in Business Administration, Gwynedd Mercy College (cum laude)
- • Juris Doctor, Widener University School of Law (2010)
Lehigh County Magisterial District 31-1-02
Democrat
Coaching youth basketball and soccer
- • Magisterial District Judge (since 2014)
- • Law clerk to Berks County Judge John A. Boccabella
- • Adjunct Instructor, Criminal Justice, Lehigh Carbon Community College
Law clerk to Berks County Judge John A. Roccabella, Berks County Court of Common Pleas of PA, Criminal Division (2011-2013)
Allentown
Connections
Magisterial District Judge Michael D’Amore co-arraigned Jason Michael Krasley with Rashid Santiago on new rape charges.
His decision not to seek another term as President Judge of Lehigh County created one of the three open seats Santiago is seeking.