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<\/a>Marc Kapetan (left) and Rosalina Nunez Manfreda are running for Fresno County Superior Court judge, Seat 3. (GV Wire Composite)<\/p>\nSeat 6: Ashley Paulson, Deidre Adams, Steven Ueltzen<\/p>\n
Ueltzen, the lead prosecutor in the DUI unit at the Fresno County District Attorney\u2019s Office since 2015, filed his declaration and paid the filing fee on Monday, the final day to do so. He said the delay was due to his involvement in a murder trial.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe transition from prosecutor to judge is a natural one. Both roles are charged with pursuing justice,\u201d Ueltzen said.<\/p>\n
Incumbent Judge Jonathan Conklin opted not to seek re-election. Ueltzen said succeeding Conklin was a motivating factor in his decision to run.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was absolutely the gold standard of judicial officers. The idea of having a gavel with his name on it would be an extreme honor,\u201d Ueltzen said.<\/p>\n
Paulson practiced for 11 years with both the Fresno County District Attorney\u2019s Office and since last year has worked with the Fresno City Attorney\u2019s Office. Her experience includes assignments in homicide and gang enforcement.<\/p>\n
Adams works with the Fresno County Law Offices of the Public Defender.<\/p>\n
Ueltzen said he has worked with Paulson and against Adams in court.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s a zealous advocate for her clients. We have absolutely butted heads in the past, but she\u2019s a competent litigator,\u201d Ueltzen said of Adams.<\/p>\n
Paulson and Adams did not immediately respond to requests for comment.<\/p>\n
Seat 7: Jeff Hammerschmidt, Jose L. Salazar, Curtis Bonghoon Sok<\/p>\n Hammerschmidt is a veteran criminal defense attorney and former prosecutor with 39 years of legal experience.<\/p>\n He said Judge D. Tyler Tharpe, whom he hopes to succeed, has endorsed his campaign. Tharpe is not seeking re-election.<\/p>\n Salazar, who filed on Monday, has worked in the Fresno County Public Defender\u2019s Office for six years and has practiced law for 10 years overall. He was born and raised in Sanger.<\/p>\n He acknowledges that he is an \u201cunderdog in this race.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not an insider, but I think the bench needs somebody with my working-class background,\u201d Salazar said.<\/p>\n Salazar said that while in high school, he worked in packing houses.<\/p>\n \u201cI can relate to everyday people, but more importantly, I can follow the law,\u201d Salazar said.<\/p>\n Sok is a private attorney focusing on criminal and immigration law. His website<\/a> states he has more than 25 years experience.<\/p>\n Seat 8: Daniel Brickey<\/p>\n Brickey is a court commissioner and the sole candidate in the race, though it will still appear on the ballot.<\/p>\n He has practiced law for nearly 15 years, with experience in private practice and at the Fresno County Public Defender\u2019s Office.<\/p>\n Judge David Gottlieb is not running for re-election.<\/p>\n Seat 9: Noelle Pebet, Eddie Ruiz<\/p>\n Pebet is a court commissioner.<\/p>\n Ruiz is a private attorney who primarily practices criminal defense.<\/p>\n Both are seeking to succeed Judge Elizabeth Egan, who is not seeking re-election.<\/p>\n<\/a>Ashley Paulson (left), Deidre Adams and Steven Ueltzen are running for Fresno County Superior Court judge, Seat 6. (GV Wire Composite)<\/p>\n<\/a>Jeff Hammerschmidt (left), Jose L. Salazar, and Curtis Bonghoon Sok are running for Fresno County Superior Court judge, Seat 7. (GV Wire Composite)
\n<\/a>Daniel Brickey<\/p>\n