Hon. Michael E. Bortner (Ret.) was a judge for the York County Court of Common Pleas in Pennsylvania. He was elected to the bench in 2003. Bortner retired in January 2021.
He received a bachelor’s degree in political science from Susquehanna University in 1971. Bortner then spent time as a volunteer with the Peace Corps in Ghana before completing a J.D. at Ohio Northern University, Claude W. Pettit College of Law in 1976.
After graduating from law school, he joined the York County District Attorney’s Office in 1978, where he worked as an assistant district attorney for three years. Bortner left the public sector in 1981, at which time he became an attorney at Blakey, Yost, Bupp & Rausch, LLP. He also worked as a part-time public defender with the York County Public Defender’s Office (1981 to 1983) and as an attorney in his own private solo practice in Spring Grove.
Then, in 1985, he was elected as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 95th District, running on the Democratic ticket. Bortner was re-elected for two more consecutive terms, receiving appointments to serve on the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee and the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing.
He was then elected to the Pennsylvania State Senate from the 28th District in 1991. During his three years in office, Bortner received appointments to the Local Government Commission and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. He remained in the Senate until 1994.
After retiring from the bench, Bortner hoped to spend time with his family and travel. His wife, Jackie, is a retired American Airlines flight attendant.
He graduated from Spring Grove Area High School.
Bortner was registered as a Democrat.
