The magisterial district judge for several of Pittsburgh’s East End neighborhoods has resigned, according to a letter obtained by the Tribune-Review.

Mik Pappas was elected to Allegheny County’s 31st magisterial district in 2017, and announced last year that he would not seek reelection. District 31 includes the city’s Bloomfield, East Liberty, Garfield neighborhoods, as well as parts of Lawrenceville.

His election kicked off a successful wave of progressive political victories that has continued to this year, with the nominations of candidates like Sara Innamorato and Matt Dugan. Pappas has also butted heads with Allegheny County’s court administration and the district attorney’s office during his tenure.

In his resignation letter sent to Gov. Josh Shapiro, Pappas wrote that he has hope for the district and the criminal justice system.

“Witnessing this miraculous transformation from the front lines of our legal system has made it clear to me that even the most deeply entrenched challenges are no match for the collective will of our citizens,” wrote Pappas.

His last day was Monday.

Pappas was elected in 2017, running as a progressive independent against longtime incumbent Democrat Ron Costa Sr. He ran on reforming the criminal justice system.

During his tenure, eviction rates were lowered in his district, which Pappas attributed to increasing mediations between landlords and tenants. Pappas also dramatically decreased the use of cash bail in District 31.

Pappas ran for Common Pleas Judge in 2021 as part of a group of criminal-justice reform candidates called the Slate of Eight. Five of eight of those candidates won their elections for the nine available seats. Pappas narrowly missed out, finishing 11th.

His tenure also came with some controversy.

Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala’s office investigated Pappas in 2022 after a warrant for a homicide suspect remained unsigned for three hours while Pappas handled other cases.

Pappas said at the time that he was not aware of the warrant’s existence, and if he had been, he would have signed it.

The letter does not mention a reason for his resignation. Kate Lovelace, a progressive candidate, won the District 31 Democratic nomination this year and will likely replace Pappas.

“I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to my friends, supporters, colleagues, and all of the dedicated professionals who have undertaken this tremendous journey along my side; to the citizens of the 31st Magisterial District for the opportunity to serve; and most of all, to my family for their loving faith and support,” wrote Pappas.

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