Retired Bristol District Judge Frank W. Peranteau, Sr. made it official announcing he is going to run for Mayor of Bristol Borough taking on current Mayor Ralph DiGuiseppe III on WBCB’s Speak your Piece show with Pat Wandling last month.
Peranteau reached the mandatory retirement age in 2024 and subsequently officially retired on Dec 31, 2024 after serving four terms on the bench unopposed, according to county records.
The four decades plus public official includes time as a Bensalem Police officer (three years), Bristol Borough Chief of Police (nine years) and a Bristol District Judge for 23 years.
The interview took place on Jan 3 with Wandling and Peranteau speaking about old times and memorable cases that came before him, mentioning for example, a double-homicide suspect he was arraigning while on-call one days years ago.
“I always remember the shirt he was wearing that said “stupidity is not a crime.”
Then the two “old friends” discussed Peranteau Sr.’s future, addressing the “rumors” that have been circulating Bristol as far as a year ago.
I have some plans for this year. There is a rumor going around for the past six months that I was going to run for Mayor —its not a rumor, it’s a fact, the retired justice said.
This isn’t a knock on anyone in local government, he said, I think our council people have done some really good things.
In my 30-something years of serving the borough, I’ve had a front row seat to see how things are done. I’ve got some ideas I’m working on and I think I might be able to help out. Bristol has been my biggest supporter for my entire career from the very first time I was hired until I retired–I met a lot of really good people and helped some people along the way — and it feels really good to do that.
On his plans to run for mayor Peranteau said he has some plans that he is working on that he doesn’t want to divulge anything about right now. There are three segments of the community that are near and dear to his heart that he wants to try to get something in the borough to help them out.
Before the current Chief of Police Joe Moors was hired to lead the police department, the now-retired judge expressed interest in becoming chief again which behind the scenes ruffled the feathers of some borough officials.
DiGuiseppe III did not respond to a request for comment about Peranteau’s announcement that he will be opposing him in the municipal election.
“I’m here for everybody in the borough, I hold no animosity, I go into this with open eyes. I have a lot of support from the people in Bristol,” said Peranteau.
In January, Bristol Borough School Board President Dave Chichilitti announced he was running for Bristol District Judge.
Other names have been rumored to be considering a run for the District Judge seat however Lower Bucks Source has been to confirm that information.
Senior Judge Daniel Finello is now presiding over the district court and will do so pending election of a successor, court officials said last month.
Nomination petitions can be circulated/filed beginning on Tuesday, February 18, 2025. The deadline to circulate/file all nomination petitions is 5:00 PM on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Nomination petitions received before or after this period will be rejected. The 2025 Municipal Primary is May 2o this year. If you’re considering a run for office you can find filing instructions at the Board of Elections website by clicking here.
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