Eric Schrantz, a resident of Jim Thorpe, has announced his candidacy for Magisterial District Judge in Jim Thorpe. His district includes the boroughs and townships of Jim Thorpe, Lehighton, Weissport, Jamestown, Penn Forest and Mahoning Township.Schrantz holds the required state certification to perform the duties of Magisterial District Judge and was recertified in March.

Schrantz is the son of Alicia and Edward Lewis and the late Carl Schrantz. A 1994 graduate of Jim Thorpe Area High School, he competed in baseball, football and basketball and served in student organizations.Schrantz was Jim Thorpe's Scholar Athlete representative at the Lehigh Valley Scholar Athlete Ceremony. He graduated from Kutztown University in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice. Schrantz also played football for Kutztown University.Schrantz graduated from Allentown Police Academy in 2001 and worked as a part-time officer for Lehighton and Palmerton.Schrantz was a full-time police officer for Jim Thorpe until 2016 when he was appointed as the district judge to fill the vacant seat left by his stepfather, Edward Lewis, after Lewis retired. Schrantz was sworn in on Aug. 4, 2016. As a police officer in Lehighton, Schrantz was honored by the Lehigh Valley Burn Unit when Schrantz and another officer assisted a resident in a structure fire. While at Jim Thorpe, Schrantz headed up the community watch and was the liaison between the community and the police force.Schrantz is a member of St Joseph Catholic Church, a social member of the Diligent Fire Company, the Mauch Chunk Rod & Gun Club, Beaver Run Rod & Gun Club, Penn Forest Club, and Carbon Lodge No. 242 F & AM. He is on the board of directors for the Jim Thorpe Little League and is active in coaching. Schrantz is a member of the Jim Thorpe Hall of Fame, where he was inducted into in 2003 as part of the 1992 Jim Thorpe High School District Championship Baseball Team and as an athlete in 2013.Schrantz and his wife, Kristen, will be celebrating their 10-year wedding anniversary later this year. They have two sons, Brody, 8, and Landon, 5.