John is a lifelong resident of Rhawnhurst in the Northeast section of the City of Philadelphia. After graduating from Father Judge High School, Sabatina attended West Chester University graduating in 1992 with a bachelors degree in Business Marketing. He graduated from Widener University School of Law in 1997.

For the last four and a half years, John served as an Assistant District Attorney under Lynne Abraham. There he represented the citizens of Philadelphia by successfully prosecuting some of the City's most dangerous criminals in major jury trials for committing crimes such as Robbery, Burglary, Aggravated Assault, Drugs and Attempted Murder.

Sabatina is also no stranger to public service. Before working as a prosecutor in the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office, he served as a Democratic Committee person in the 56th Ward. As a committee person, John has used his energy and influence to bring a higher level of City and State services to the constituents of his division.

It is Sabatina's intention to use his background to focus on the reduction of crime in the district by introducing legislation to close the various loopholes in the law that he has encountered as a prosecutor that allowed criminals to go free. He also plans to improve the availability and access to City and State services for his constituents.

Sabatina is a member of the Philadelphia Bar Association, the Pennsylvania Assistant District Attorney's Association, the Sons of Italy Greater Roxborough Lodge #2217, Father Judge Alumni Association, Resurrection of Our Lord Parish, Rhawnhurst Civic Association and most recently served as a baseball coach for the Rhawnhurst Athletic Association.