Three people are vying for two seats on the Schuylkill County Court of Common Pleas.

Common Pleas Judge Christina Hale and attorneys Chris Hobbs and James Conville are seeking the position.

Hale is listed as a Democrat and Republican. She was raised in Frackville and is a lifelong resident of Schuylkill County. She is a graduate of North Schuylkill High School, Penn State University, and Dickinson School of Law. Hale was a Magisterial District Judge in Frackville for nine years prior to being appointed Common Pleas Judge to fill the vacancy of retired Judge John Domalakes. Hale cites her years of experience as an asset.

“No matter your political affiliation, the Constitution and rule of law unite us all,” she said.

Hale said she is not a politician but “a mother, wife, sister, daughter, soccer coach and community volunteer.” She asks residents for their vote so she may continue to serve them with “trusted experience, respected leadership and judicial integrity.”

Hobbs is appearing on ballot as Republican. He attended Lehigh University and is a graduate of Widener School of Law. He is an owner/partner with the firm Lieberman, Tamulonis and Hobbs. He has served on many community boards. He enjoys the law profession because of the ability to help people during difficult situations and to help businesses thrive. He has 21 years of legal experience.

Hobbs said he wants to be judge to give back to the community. He considers it “professionally and personally rewarding.”

The race is about electing the person with the “experience, temperament, and integrity the residents of Schuylkill County deserve,” he said.

His courtroom and professional experience are beneficial if elected to serve as judge.

“Lawyers, judges and my clients will tell you I have the judicial disposition while treating everyone in the legal system with the respect in which they deserve to be treated, I will be fair, impartial and stern when necessary but will always make decisions based on the facts and law, outside of political influence,” he said.

Conville is appearing as a Democrat on the ballot. He graduated from Nativity B.V.M. in Pottsville, Penn State and Widener Law School, Harrisburg.

He decided to enter the race at the prompting of his colleagues. Like the other candidates, he touts his experience. Conville has extensive experience in trial practice, especially criminal law. He has served as the solicitor for many municipalities and several nonprofit organizations.

“I firmly believe that the position of Judge of the Court of Common Pleas should be a nonpolitical office and one that should be elected based upon their actual courtroom experience as opposed to ideology or political elitism. To that end, my actual courtroom experience, as a practicing attorney, far exceeds my opponents’ combined,” he said.

Conville has been practicing law in the county for 27 years.

His “blue-collar” upbringing is more representative of the residents than the other candidates, he said.

“My upbringing taught me to work hard to get where you want to be and never feel entitled to anything or expect anything to be handed to you,” he said.