Dougherty grew up in South Philadelphia in what he described as a "very blue-collar, working-class neighborhood", and was the first from his family to graduate college, working three part-time jobs as he attended Temple.
[7] He was appointed to the bench by Governor Tom Ridge in 2001, and was elected to the first of two 10-year terms later that year,[5][7] receiving the most vote among 14 candidates.
[8][9] There he implemented reforms like easing access to the court and what he called a "changing of the culture" among a judiciary of mostly older judges.
They defeated Republican candidates Judith Olsen, Michael George, and Anne Covey, in a campaign that saw more than $15 million in donations from special interests.
[4] Dougherty received a "recommended" rating from the Pennsylvania Bar Association, and received strong support from organized labor groups,[5] in part due to Dougherty's relationship with his brother, former Philadelphia labor leader John J.