Warren voters have elected the city's first female judge who will replace Municipal Court Judge Terry Ivanchak.
 
Attorney Patty Leopardi Knepp beat Warren Prosecutor Traci Timko to preside over cases on the bench. 
 
Leopardi Knepp carried 52% of the vote, Timko 47% of the vote. 
 
WFMJ News caught up with the newly elected judge who told us she can't thank voters enough.
 
Leopardi Knepp  has been in private practice for 30 years. 
 
She also was a former law director for Warren and sat as an acting judge in the seat she just won.
 
"It's very important that everyone that comes before the court is treated fairly so continuing the integrity and independence of the court is going to be my main priority," said Leopardi Knepp.
 
We asked her about this history making win.
 
"I'm honored. My grandfather James Ravella he sat on that seat from 1950 to 1981, and my father was John Leopardi. Not only was he a long time attorney, he started practice in 1957, he passed in 2005, but while he was in private practice he also sat as acting judge in that court, so this is one of the greatest honors to carry on this legacy of my father and my grandfather," Leopardi Knepp said.